Columbia MO vs Garland 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%
Garland, TX
Texas · Population: 245,298
- Median HH Income$74,717
- Median Home Price$289,605
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
127,200
Garland
245,298
Garland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Garland
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
29.2
Columbia +
Garland
34.7
Foreign Born
Columbia
8.1%
Garland
31.2%
Garland +
White
Columbia
74.3%
Columbia +
Garland
37.5%
Black
Columbia
12.1%
Garland
15.3%
Garland +
Asian
Columbia
6.1%
Garland
11.2%
Garland +
Hispanic
Columbia
4.3%
Garland
45.0%
Garland +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Garland
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,200 | 245,298 | Garland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 34.7 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 8.1% | 31.2% | Garland + |
| White | 74.3% | 37.5% | Columbia + |
| Black | 12.1% | 15.3% | Garland + |
| Asian | 6.1% | 11.2% | Garland + |
| Hispanic | 4.3% | 45.0% | Garland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$64,488
Garland
$74,717
Garland +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$37,359
Columbia +
Garland
$31,477
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$58,527
Garland
$63,758
Garland +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
3.9%
Columbia +
Garland
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Columbia
20.0%
Garland
12.3%
Garland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
56.5%
Columbia +
Garland
25.0%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,488 | $74,717 | Garland + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,359 | $31,477 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $63,758 | Garland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 4.9% | Columbia + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.0% | 12.3% | Garland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 56.5% | 25.0% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$323,876
Garland
$289,605
Garland +
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
49.4%
Garland
61.6%
Garland +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $323,876 | $289,605 | Garland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.4% | 61.6% | Garland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
501
Garland
442
Garland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
2418
Garland
2339
Garland +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 442 | Garland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2339 | Garland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
30.1%
Columbia +
Garland
34.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.5%
Columbia +
Garland
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.1%
Garland
17.3%
Garland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.4%
Columbia +
Garland
22.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
18.5%
Garland
16.1%
Garland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.4%
Columbia +
Garland
13.1%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 34.7% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 13.0% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 17.3% | Garland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 22.6% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 16.1% | Garland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 13.1% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
56.0°F
Columbia +
Garland
69.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Columbia +
Garland
49.5 in
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.0°F | 69.1°F | Columbia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 49.5 in | Columbia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
9.3 µg/m³
Garland
9.2 µg/m³
Garland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
55.0%
Garland
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Garland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.2 min
Columbia +
Garland
32.5 min
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.2 min | 32.5 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Garland leads in median household income at $74,717, while garland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $289,605. On public safety, Garland 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 Garland 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%.
Compare More Cities
Columbia, MO vs New York, NYColumbia, MO vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Columbia, MOColumbia, MO vs Houston, TXColumbia, MO vs Phoenix, AZColumbia, MO vs Philadelphia, PA