Columbia MO vs El Paso 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%
El Paso, TX
Texas · Population: 678,147
- Median HH Income$58,734
- Median Home Price$235,994
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+27.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
127,200
El Paso
678,147
El Paso +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
El Paso
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
29.2
Columbia +
El Paso
34.1
Foreign Born
Columbia
8.1%
El Paso
22.3%
El Paso +
White
Columbia
74.3%
Columbia +
El Paso
39.3%
Black
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
El Paso
3.6%
Asian
Columbia
6.1%
Columbia +
El Paso
1.5%
Hispanic
Columbia
4.3%
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
El Paso
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, MO | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,200 | 678,147 | El Paso + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 34.1 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 8.1% | 22.3% | El Paso + |
| White | 74.3% | 39.3% | Columbia + |
| Black | 12.1% | 3.6% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 6.1% | 1.5% | Columbia + |
| Hispanic | 4.3% | 81.3% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$64,488
Columbia +
El Paso
$58,734
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$37,359
Columbia +
El Paso
$28,942
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$58,527
El Paso
$63,758
El Paso +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
3.9%
Columbia +
El Paso
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Columbia
20.0%
El Paso
18.4%
El Paso +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
56.5%
Columbia +
El Paso
27.5%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,488 | $58,734 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,359 | $28,942 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $63,758 | El Paso + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 6.2% | Columbia + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.0% | 18.4% | El Paso + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 56.5% | 27.5% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$323,876
El Paso
$235,994
El Paso +
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
49.4%
El Paso
60.2%
El Paso +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $323,876 | $235,994 | El Paso + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.4% | 60.2% | El Paso + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
501
El Paso
442
El Paso +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
2418
El Paso
2339
El Paso +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 442 | El Paso + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2339 | El Paso + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
30.1%
Columbia +
El Paso
33.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.5%
Columbia +
El Paso
16.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.1%
El Paso
17.2%
El Paso +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.4%
Columbia +
El Paso
27.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
18.5%
El Paso
16.5%
El Paso +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.4%
El Paso
12.2%
El Paso +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 33.8% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 16.4% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 17.2% | El Paso + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 27.9% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 16.5% | El Paso + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 12.2% | El Paso + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
56.0°F
Columbia +
El Paso
64.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
El Paso
10.5 in
El Paso +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.0°F | 64.3°F | Columbia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 10.5 in | El Paso + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
9.3 µg/m³
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
El Paso +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
55.0%
El Paso
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, MO | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | El Paso + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.2 min
Columbia +
El Paso
25.1 min
| Metric | Columbia, MO | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.2 min | 25.1 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbia leads in median household income at $64,488, while el Paso offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $235,994. On public safety, El Paso 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 El Paso 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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