Carrollton 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)
Carrollton, TX
Texas · Population: 132,741
- Median HH Income$99,115
- Median Home Price$408,531
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
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
Carrollton
132,741
Carrollton +
Columbia
127,200
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Carrollton
N/A
Columbia
N/A
Median Age
Carrollton
38.4
Columbia
29.2
Columbia +
Foreign Born
Carrollton
26.9%
Carrollton +
Columbia
8.1%
White
Carrollton
52.1%
Columbia
74.3%
Columbia +
Black
Carrollton
9.2%
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Asian
Carrollton
16.4%
Carrollton +
Columbia
6.1%
Hispanic
Carrollton
31.8%
Carrollton +
Columbia
4.3%
Spanish at Home
Carrollton
N/A
Columbia
N/A
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 132,741 | 127,200 | Carrollton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 29.2 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 26.9% | 8.1% | Carrollton + |
| White | 52.1% | 74.3% | Columbia + |
| Black | 9.2% | 12.1% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 16.4% | 6.1% | Carrollton + |
| Hispanic | 31.8% | 4.3% | Carrollton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Carrollton
$99,115
Carrollton +
Columbia
$64,488
Per Capita Income
Carrollton
$50,000
Carrollton +
Columbia
$37,359
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Carrollton
$63,758
Carrollton +
Columbia
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Carrollton
3.2%
Carrollton +
Columbia
3.9%
Poverty Rate
Carrollton
6.9%
Carrollton +
Columbia
20.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Carrollton
43.3%
Columbia
56.5%
Columbia +
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $99,115 | $64,488 | Carrollton + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,000 | $37,359 | Carrollton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $58,527 | Carrollton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 3.9% | Carrollton + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.9% | 20.0% | Carrollton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 56.5% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Carrollton
$408,531
Columbia
$323,876
Columbia +
Homeownership Rate
Carrollton
58.3%
Carrollton +
Columbia
49.4%
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $408,531 | $323,876 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.3% | 49.4% | Carrollton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carrollton
442
Carrollton +
Columbia
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carrollton
2339
Carrollton +
Columbia
2418
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 501 | Carrollton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2418 | Carrollton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Carrollton
32.2%
Columbia
30.1%
Columbia +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Carrollton
10.8%
Columbia
8.5%
Columbia +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Carrollton
15.3%
Carrollton +
Columbia
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Carrollton
14.8%
Columbia
8.4%
Columbia +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Carrollton
16.9%
Carrollton +
Columbia
18.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Carrollton
9.8%
Carrollton +
Columbia
12.4%
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.2% | 30.1% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 8.5% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.3% | 19.1% | Carrollton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 8.4% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 18.5% | Carrollton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 12.4% | Carrollton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carrollton
N/A
Columbia
56.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carrollton
N/A
Columbia
46.3 in
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 56.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Carrollton
9.2 µg/m³
Carrollton +
Columbia
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Carrollton
55.0%
Columbia
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Carrollton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Carrollton
26.2 min
Columbia
18.2 min
Columbia +
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.2 min | 18.2 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Carrollton leads in median household income at $99,115, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $323,876. On public safety, Carrollton is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Columbia. Carrollton has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Carrollton 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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