Living in Amarillo, TX
Amarillo is the 121st-largest city in the US, home to about 205,000 people in 2025. It has grown 2.4% since 2020. Prices across the metro area run below the national average (91.8 on an index where the US is 100).
- Population, 2025
- 205,130+2.4% since 2020
- Median home value
- $196,9003.0 years of median income
- Median rent
- $1,092/morent plus utilities
- Household income
- $65,912median, per year
- Price level
- 91.8US average = 100
- January / July highs
- 52° / 93°lows 25° / 66°
- Average commute
- 20 min7% work from home
- State income tax
- Noneon wages
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County: Potter County, Randall County
Time zone: Central Time (UTC-6, UTC-5 in summer)
Elevation: about 3,668 ft
Metro area: Amarillo, TX
Cost of living in Amarillo
The median home in Amarillo is worth $196,900 and the median household earns $65,912 a year, so a typical home costs about 3.0 years of income. Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $1,092 a month, about 20% of the median household's income. BEA puts overall prices in the Amarillo, TX metro area at 91.8, with housing at 78.4 and goods at 93.8 (US = 100). In practice, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced place stretches about as far as $68,900 here. Texas has no state income tax on wages. The average combined state and local sales tax in Texas is 8.2%.
What would my salary be worth in Amarillo?
Amarillo weather
Average highs run from 52°F in January to 93°F in July, and January nights average 25°F. It gets 20 inches of rain and melted snow a year and 17 inches of snow. Expect about 72 days a year at 90°F or hotter. Nights drop below freezing about 108 times a year. The most comfortable months are April to May and September to October.
Month-by-month weather and the best time to visit Amarillo
People and work
The median resident is 35.1 years old, and 27% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. 60% of households own their home. The average one-way commute is 20 minutes; 7% of workers work from home.
- Median age
- 35.1193rd youngest of 546
- Bachelor's or higher
- 27%adults 25+
- Homeowners
- 60%of households
- People per sq mile
- 1,980103.6 sq mi of land
- Take transit to work
- 1%1% walk, 0.1% bike
- Unemployment
- 3.4%2020-2024 average
- Poverty rate
- 15.8%of residents
- Typical home built
- 1973median year
Who moves to Amarillo, and where people go
From farther away, newcomers most often come from Lubbock (Lubbock County), Fort Worth (Tarrant County) and Dallas (Dallas County). People who leave for somewhere more than 100 miles away most often head to Lubbock (Lubbock County), Fort Worth (Tarrant County) and Dallas (Dallas County). See the map and full lists
IRS county-to-county migration, 2022 to 2023 tax years. Where Americans are moving.
Natural hazards, home prices and air quality
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Moderate
FEMA rating for Potter County, scored against every US county. Biggest risks: winter weather, hail, tornado, strong wind.
Home prices
+3.1% in a year
Up 34% over five years. FHFA house price index for the Amarillo, TX area, 2026 Q2.
Air quality, 2025
78% good days
0 days unhealthy at least for sensitive groups. EPA daily air quality index for the Amarillo, TX area (365 days measured).
FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025) combines expected losses from 18 natural hazards with how vulnerable and resilient the community is. It describes the county, not your street; check flood maps for a specific address at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.
Pros and cons of living in Amarillo
Data points come from the official sources on this page. Points marked Local come from people who live here, are read by a person before they appear, and are ranked by readers.
Pros
- Data Homes are affordable for locals: the median home costs 3.0 years of median household income, lower than in three quarters of the cities we cover.
- Data Everyday prices in the metro run 8% below the US average (BEA).
- Data Texas has no state income tax on wages.
- Data Commutes are short: 20 minutes each way on average.
Cons
- Nothing stands out in the data. Locals, what should newcomers know?
Amarillo report card from locals
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Cities near Amarillo
| City | Distance | Population | Home value | Price level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lubbock, TX | 114 mi | 273,071 | $212,400 | 91.3 | Compare |
| Lawton, OK | 203 mi | 90,503 | $142,100 | 85.9 | Compare |
| Wichita Falls, TX | 213 mi | 101,951 | $156,800 | 89.5 | Compare |
| Midland, TX | 226 mi | 147,615 | $319,200 | 95.8 | Compare |
| Abilene, TX | 228 mi | 131,588 | $183,700 | 90.4 | Compare |
| Santa Fe, NM | 232 mi | 89,837 | $444,900 | 98.8 | Compare |
Straight-line distance between city centers.
Cities with a similar profile
Closest match on climate, price level, size, income and median age, outside the immediate area.
Compare Amarillo with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is Amarillo a good place to live?
It depends on what you need. The numbers show prices below the national average, homes that cost under four years of median income, no state income tax on wages, short commutes. Compare Amarillo side by side with another city to see how it stacks up for you.
What is the population of Amarillo?
The Census Bureau estimates Amarillo had 205,130 residents on July 1, 2025, compared with 200,411 in April 2020 (+2.4%).
How much do you need to earn to live in Amarillo?
Using BEA price levels, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced US city buys about the same as $68,900 in the Amarillo area. The median household here earns $65,912.
When is the best time to visit Amarillo?
By the 1991-2020 climate normals, April to May and September to October are the most comfortable months. July averages 93°F and January 52°F for daytime highs.
What county is Amarillo in?
Amarillo spans Potter County (64%), Randall County (36%) by share of the city's land. Source: Census Bureau 2020 geography.
What time zone is Amarillo in?
Amarillo is on Central Time (UTC-6, or UTC-5 during daylight saving time from March to November).
What is the elevation of Amarillo?
About 3,668 feet above sea level at the city center. Elevation varies across the city.
Does Texas have a state income tax?
No. Texas does not tax wage income.
Sources
Population: Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates (July 1, 2025). Income, housing, education and commuting: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for the city of Amarillo. Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Amarillo, TX metro area. Weather: NOAA 1991-2020 normals, Amarillo, TX station. Taxes: Tax Foundation 2026. How we get our numbers.