Austin 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)
Austin, TX
Texas · Population: 967,862
- Median HH Income$91,461
- Median Home Price$511,264
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+58.2%
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
Austin
967,862
Austin +
Columbia
127,200
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Austin
N/A
Columbia
N/A
Median Age
Austin
34.5
Columbia
29.2
Columbia +
Foreign Born
Austin
18.1%
Austin +
Columbia
8.1%
White
Austin
59.9%
Columbia
74.3%
Columbia +
Black
Austin
7.5%
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Asian
Austin
8.6%
Austin +
Columbia
6.1%
Hispanic
Austin
32.2%
Austin +
Columbia
4.3%
Spanish at Home
Austin
N/A
Columbia
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | 127,200 | Austin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 29.2 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 8.1% | Austin + |
| White | 59.9% | 74.3% | Columbia + |
| Black | 7.5% | 12.1% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 8.6% | 6.1% | Austin + |
| Hispanic | 32.2% | 4.3% | Austin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Austin
$91,461
Austin +
Columbia
$64,488
Per Capita Income
Austin
$59,427
Austin +
Columbia
$37,359
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Austin
$63,758
Austin +
Columbia
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Austin
4.5%
Columbia
3.9%
Columbia +
Poverty Rate
Austin
12.3%
Austin +
Columbia
20.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Austin
58.2%
Austin +
Columbia
56.5%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,461 | $64,488 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,427 | $37,359 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $58,527 | Austin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 3.9% | Columbia + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 20.0% | Austin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.2% | 56.5% | Austin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Austin
$511,264
Columbia
$323,876
Columbia +
Homeownership Rate
Austin
44.4%
Columbia
49.4%
Columbia +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $511,264 | $323,876 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.4% | 49.4% | Columbia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
442
Austin +
Columbia
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
2339
Austin +
Columbia
2418
| Metric | Austin, TX | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 501 | Austin + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2418 | Austin + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
30.1%
Columbia
30.1%
Tie
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
8.1%
Austin +
Columbia
8.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Austin
16.9%
Austin +
Columbia
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Austin
15.1%
Columbia
8.4%
Columbia +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Austin
20.0%
Columbia
18.5%
Columbia +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Austin
9.4%
Austin +
Columbia
12.4%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 30.1% | Tie |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 8.5% | Austin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 19.1% | Austin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 8.4% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 18.5% | Columbia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 12.4% | Austin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
67.2°F
Columbia
56.0°F
Columbia +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
34.9 in
Austin +
Columbia
46.3 in
| Metric | Austin, TX | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.2°F | 56.0°F | Columbia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.9 in | 46.3 in | Austin + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Austin
9.2 µg/m³
Austin +
Columbia
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Austin
55.0%
Columbia
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Austin, TX | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Austin + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Austin
25.8 min
Columbia
18.2 min
Columbia +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 18.2 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Austin leads in median household income at $91,461, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $323,876. On public safety, Austin 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 Austin 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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