Amarillo and Topeka receive effectively the same standardized Area Score. Which fits you better depends on which dimensions you weight — the differences below are where they actually diverge.
Signals
Amarillo
Topeka
Opportunity
58 · Top 45%
vs52 · Bottom 42%
Growth
70 · Top 18%
vs44 · Bottom 40%
Climate
68 · Top 45%
vs68 · Top 46%
Physical resilience
37 · Bottom 26%
vs64 · Top 38%
Housing affordability
98 · Top 35%
vs100 · Top 27%
Access
89 · Top 25%
vs97 · Top 12%
Economic stability
56 · Top 43%
vs70 · Top 25%
Measured values
| Metric | Amarillo | Topeka | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 271,917 | 232,468 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $69,611 | $69,888 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $36,873 | $37,837 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 53/sq mi | 72/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $208,700 | $183,200 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,086 | $971 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 63.9% | 70.2% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 4.1% | 4.1% | June 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | -1.1% | -2.4% | June 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 27.1% | 30.1% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 14.4% | 11.4% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 1,326 | 569 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 4.9 | 2.4 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | 5.4% | -12.1% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 93°F | 90°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 25°F | 20°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 19.7" | 36.5" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 12 mi | 10 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 22.0 min | 22.3 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 36.3 | 40.1 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
Amarillo
Elevated or high exposure: hail, drought, wildfire.
Topeka
No hazard reaches elevated exposure.
Full profiles: Amarillo, TX Metro Area · Topeka, KS Metro Area · How this is calculated: methodology