Arlington TX vs Columbia MO — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Arlington, TX
Texas · Population: 394,769
- Median HH Income$73,519
- Median Home Price$313,683
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+33.1%
Columbia, MO
Missouri · Population: 127,200
- Median HH Income$64,488
- Median Home Price$323,876
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+56.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Arlington
394,769
Arlington +
Columbia
127,200
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Arlington
N/A
Columbia
N/A
Median Age
Arlington
33.6
Columbia
29.2
Columbia +
Foreign Born
Arlington
21.3%
Arlington +
Columbia
8.1%
White
Arlington
43.2%
Columbia
74.3%
Columbia +
Black
Arlington
22.4%
Arlington +
Columbia
12.1%
Asian
Arlington
7.3%
Arlington +
Columbia
6.1%
Hispanic
Arlington
31.0%
Arlington +
Columbia
4.3%
Spanish at Home
Arlington
N/A
Columbia
N/A
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 394,769 | 127,200 | Arlington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.6 | 29.2 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 8.1% | Arlington + |
| White | 43.2% | 74.3% | Columbia + |
| Black | 22.4% | 12.1% | Arlington + |
| Asian | 7.3% | 6.1% | Arlington + |
| Hispanic | 31.0% | 4.3% | Arlington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Arlington
$73,519
Arlington +
Columbia
$64,488
Per Capita Income
Arlington
$35,226
Columbia
$37,359
Columbia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Arlington
$63,758
Arlington +
Columbia
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Arlington
5.7%
Columbia
3.9%
Columbia +
Poverty Rate
Arlington
13.1%
Arlington +
Columbia
20.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Arlington
33.1%
Columbia
56.5%
Columbia +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,519 | $64,488 | Arlington + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,226 | $37,359 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $58,527 | Arlington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 3.9% | Columbia + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.1% | 20.0% | Arlington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.1% | 56.5% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Arlington
$313,683
Arlington +
Columbia
$323,876
Homeownership Rate
Arlington
54.8%
Arlington +
Columbia
49.4%
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,683 | $323,876 | Arlington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.8% | 49.4% | Arlington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
442
Arlington +
Columbia
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
2339
Arlington +
Columbia
2418
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 501 | Arlington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2418 | Arlington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
33.8%
Columbia
30.1%
Columbia +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
12.0%
Columbia
8.5%
Columbia +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Arlington
18.2%
Arlington +
Columbia
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Arlington
18.4%
Columbia
8.4%
Columbia +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Arlington
16.0%
Arlington +
Columbia
18.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Arlington
13.3%
Columbia
12.4%
Columbia +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 30.1% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 8.5% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | 19.1% | Arlington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 8.4% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 18.5% | Arlington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 12.4% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
65.4°F
Columbia
56.0°F
Columbia +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
39.6 in
Arlington +
Columbia
46.3 in
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.4°F | 56.0°F | Columbia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.6 in | 46.3 in | Arlington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Arlington
9.2 µg/m³
Arlington +
Columbia
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Arlington
55.0%
Columbia
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Arlington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Arlington
29.0 min
Columbia
18.2 min
Columbia +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.0 min | 18.2 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Arlington leads in median household income at $73,519, while arlington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,683. On public safety, Arlington is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Columbia. Columbia has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Arlington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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