Columbia MO vs Fort Worth 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%
Fort Worth, TX
Texas · Population: 941,311
- Median HH Income$76,602
- Median Home Price$299,655
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+31.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
127,200
Fort Worth
941,311
Fort Worth +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Fort Worth
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
29.2
Columbia +
Fort Worth
33.4
Foreign Born
Columbia
8.1%
Fort Worth
17.0%
Fort Worth +
White
Columbia
74.3%
Columbia +
Fort Worth
47.7%
Black
Columbia
12.1%
Fort Worth
19.5%
Fort Worth +
Asian
Columbia
6.1%
Columbia +
Fort Worth
5.2%
Hispanic
Columbia
4.3%
Fort Worth
34.6%
Fort Worth +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Fort Worth
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Fort Worth, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,200 | 941,311 | Fort Worth + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 33.4 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 8.1% | 17.0% | Fort Worth + |
| White | 74.3% | 47.7% | Columbia + |
| Black | 12.1% | 19.5% | Fort Worth + |
| Asian | 6.1% | 5.2% | Columbia + |
| Hispanic | 4.3% | 34.6% | Fort Worth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$64,488
Fort Worth
$76,602
Fort Worth +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$37,359
Columbia +
Fort Worth
$37,157
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$58,527
Fort Worth
$63,758
Fort Worth +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
3.9%
Columbia +
Fort Worth
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Columbia
20.0%
Fort Worth
12.9%
Fort Worth +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
56.5%
Columbia +
Fort Worth
31.7%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Fort Worth, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,488 | $76,602 | Fort Worth + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,359 | $37,157 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $63,758 | Fort Worth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 4.9% | Columbia + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.0% | 12.9% | Fort Worth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 56.5% | 31.7% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$323,876
Fort Worth
$299,655
Fort Worth +
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
49.4%
Fort Worth
56.8%
Fort Worth +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Fort Worth, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $323,876 | $299,655 | Fort Worth + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.4% | 56.8% | Fort Worth + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
501
Fort Worth
442
Fort Worth +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
2418
Fort Worth
2339
Fort Worth +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Fort Worth, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 442 | Fort Worth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2339 | Fort Worth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
30.1%
Columbia +
Fort Worth
34.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.5%
Columbia +
Fort Worth
12.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.1%
Fort Worth
18.5%
Fort Worth +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.4%
Columbia +
Fort Worth
20.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
18.5%
Fort Worth
16.9%
Fort Worth +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.4%
Columbia +
Fort Worth
13.8%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Fort Worth, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 34.6% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 12.2% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 18.5% | Fort Worth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 20.0% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 16.9% | Fort Worth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 13.8% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
56.0°F
Columbia +
Fort Worth
65.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Fort Worth
37.8 in
Fort Worth +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Fort Worth, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.0°F | 65.8°F | Columbia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 37.8 in | Fort Worth + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
9.3 µg/m³
Fort Worth
9.2 µg/m³
Fort Worth +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
55.0%
Fort Worth
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Fort Worth, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Fort Worth + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.2 min
Columbia +
Fort Worth
29.0 min
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Fort Worth, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.2 min | 29.0 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Worth leads in median household income at $76,602, while fort Worth offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $299,655. On public safety, Fort Worth 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 Fort Worth 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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