Claude is a small, rural town about 28 miles East of Amarillo. It has a population of around 1,250, and it is this small town feel and low cost of living that we like about Claude. Claude has a 21% lower cost of living than the rest of the nation and you can find houses on the average of $87,000 and rent is around $550. Claude’s 4.4% unemployment rate is also lower than the national average of 10%. Like much of the rest of the area the oil industry and ranching are the main employers. Claude is an easy commute to Amarillo on Highway 287 since you don’t have to worry about traffic jams. If we need to get to the rest of the state we can go just a few miles North to Interstate 40.
Another thing we like about Claude is the home cooked meals at the Crazy Little Cafe on Highway 287 East. The Crazy Little Cafe is family owned, and you can count on friendly service and cooked to order meals. They are known for their chicken fried steak and homemade salsas, sauces and dressings. The owners, Tracy and Steve, take turns cooking while Tracy’s mother Joan helps out with waiting tables. If we're in the mood for something more exotic, we can be in Amarillo or surrounding towns in just a few minutes, with Claude’s central location in the Panhandle. Claude’s small town friendliness and location make it one of our favorite small towns in Texas.