Columbia MO vs New Braunfels 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%
New Braunfels, TX
Texas · Population: 267
- Median HH Income$74,643
- Median Home Price$352,129
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+1.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
127,200
Columbia +
New Braunfels
267
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
New Braunfels
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
29.2
Columbia +
New Braunfels
39.4
Foreign Born
Columbia
8.1%
New Braunfels
8.2%
New Braunfels +
White
Columbia
74.3%
New Braunfels
84.3%
New Braunfels +
Black
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
New Braunfels
0.0%
Asian
Columbia
6.1%
Columbia +
New Braunfels
0.0%
Hispanic
Columbia
4.3%
New Braunfels
15.7%
New Braunfels +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
New Braunfels
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, MO | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,200 | 267 | Columbia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 39.4 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 8.1% | 8.2% | New Braunfels + |
| White | 74.3% | 84.3% | New Braunfels + |
| Black | 12.1% | 0.0% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 6.1% | 0.0% | Columbia + |
| Hispanic | 4.3% | 15.7% | New Braunfels + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$64,488
New Braunfels
$74,643
New Braunfels +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$37,359
Columbia +
New Braunfels
$21,360
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$58,527
New Braunfels
$63,758
New Braunfels +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
3.9%
New Braunfels
N/A
Poverty Rate
Columbia
20.0%
New Braunfels
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
56.5%
Columbia +
New Braunfels
1.8%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,488 | $74,643 | New Braunfels + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,359 | $21,360 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $63,758 | New Braunfels + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 20.0% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 56.5% | 1.8% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$323,876
Columbia +
New Braunfels
$352,129
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
49.4%
New Braunfels
90.8%
New Braunfels +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $323,876 | $352,129 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.4% | 90.8% | New Braunfels + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
501
New Braunfels
442
New Braunfels +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
2418
New Braunfels
2339
New Braunfels +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 442 | New Braunfels + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2339 | New Braunfels + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
30.1%
Columbia +
New Braunfels
34.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.5%
Columbia +
New Braunfels
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.1%
New Braunfels
16.0%
New Braunfels +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.4%
Columbia +
New Braunfels
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
18.5%
Columbia +
New Braunfels
19.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.4%
New Braunfels
11.0%
New Braunfels +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 34.6% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 10.6% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 16.0% | New Braunfels + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 15.2% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 19.1% | Columbia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 11.0% | New Braunfels + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
56.0°F
Columbia +
New Braunfels
67.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
New Braunfels
34.0 in
New Braunfels +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.0°F | 67.4°F | Columbia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 34.0 in | New Braunfels + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
9.3 µg/m³
New Braunfels
9.2 µg/m³
New Braunfels +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
55.0%
New Braunfels
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, MO | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | New Braunfels + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.2 min
Columbia +
New Braunfels
19.6 min
| Metric | Columbia, MO | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.2 min | 19.6 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
New Braunfels leads in median household income at $74,643, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $323,876. On public safety, New Braunfels is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Columbia. New Braunfels 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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