Columbia MO vs Dallas TX — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Columbia, MO
Missouri · Population: 127,200
- Median HH Income$64,488
- Median Home Price$323,876
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+56.5%
Dallas, TX
Texas · Population: 1,299,553
- Median HH Income$67,760
- Median Home Price$311,957
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+37.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
127,200
Dallas
1,299,553
Dallas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Dallas
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
29.2
Columbia +
Dallas
33.4
Foreign Born
Columbia
8.1%
Dallas
23.4%
Dallas +
White
Columbia
74.3%
Columbia +
Dallas
41.9%
Black
Columbia
12.1%
Dallas
23.7%
Dallas +
Asian
Columbia
6.1%
Columbia +
Dallas
3.7%
Hispanic
Columbia
4.3%
Dallas
41.9%
Dallas +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Dallas
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Dallas, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,200 | 1,299,553 | Dallas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 33.4 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 8.1% | 23.4% | Dallas + |
| White | 74.3% | 41.9% | Columbia + |
| Black | 12.1% | 23.7% | Dallas + |
| Asian | 6.1% | 3.7% | Columbia + |
| Hispanic | 4.3% | 41.9% | Dallas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$64,488
Dallas
$67,760
Dallas +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$37,359
Dallas
$44,138
Dallas +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$58,527
Dallas
$63,758
Dallas +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
3.9%
Columbia +
Dallas
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Columbia
20.0%
Dallas
17.2%
Dallas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
56.5%
Columbia +
Dallas
37.4%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Dallas, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,488 | $67,760 | Dallas + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,359 | $44,138 | Dallas + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $63,758 | Dallas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 4.9% | Columbia + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.0% | 17.2% | Dallas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 56.5% | 37.4% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$323,876
Dallas
$311,957
Dallas +
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
49.4%
Columbia +
Dallas
42.4%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Dallas, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $323,876 | $311,957 | Dallas + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.4% | 42.4% | Columbia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
501
Dallas
442
Dallas +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
2418
Dallas
2339
Dallas +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Dallas, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 442 | Dallas + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2339 | Dallas + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
30.1%
Columbia +
Dallas
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.5%
Columbia +
Dallas
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.1%
Dallas
17.8%
Dallas +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.4%
Columbia +
Dallas
22.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
18.5%
Dallas
17.4%
Dallas +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.4%
Columbia +
Dallas
13.0%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Dallas, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 36.8% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 12.4% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 17.8% | Dallas + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 22.7% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 17.4% | Dallas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 13.0% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
56.0°F
Columbia +
Dallas
65.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Dallas
40.6 in
Dallas +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Dallas, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.0°F | 65.9°F | Columbia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 40.6 in | Dallas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
9.3 µg/m³
Dallas
9.2 µg/m³
Dallas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
55.0%
Dallas
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Dallas, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Dallas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.2 min
Columbia +
Dallas
28.3 min
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Dallas, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.2 min | 28.3 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Dallas leads in median household income at $67,760, while dallas offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $311,957. On public safety, Dallas 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 Dallas 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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