Columbia MO vs Odessa 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%
Odessa, TX
Texas · Population: 114,080
- Median HH Income$73,030
- Median Home Price$253,423
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+18.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
127,200
Columbia +
Odessa
114,080
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Odessa
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
29.2
Columbia +
Odessa
31.0
Foreign Born
Columbia
8.1%
Odessa
14.5%
Odessa +
White
Columbia
74.3%
Columbia +
Odessa
51.9%
Black
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Odessa
6.8%
Asian
Columbia
6.1%
Columbia +
Odessa
1.9%
Hispanic
Columbia
4.3%
Odessa
61.2%
Odessa +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Odessa
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,200 | 114,080 | Columbia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 31.0 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 8.1% | 14.5% | Odessa + |
| White | 74.3% | 51.9% | Columbia + |
| Black | 12.1% | 6.8% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 6.1% | 1.9% | Columbia + |
| Hispanic | 4.3% | 61.2% | Odessa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$64,488
Odessa
$73,030
Odessa +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$37,359
Columbia +
Odessa
$35,655
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$58,527
Odessa
$63,758
Odessa +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
3.9%
Columbia +
Odessa
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Columbia
20.0%
Odessa
14.4%
Odessa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
56.5%
Columbia +
Odessa
18.3%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,488 | $73,030 | Odessa + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,359 | $35,655 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $63,758 | Odessa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 5.5% | Columbia + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.0% | 14.4% | Odessa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 56.5% | 18.3% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$323,876
Odessa
$253,423
Odessa +
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
49.4%
Odessa
59.2%
Odessa +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $323,876 | $253,423 | Odessa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.4% | 59.2% | Odessa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
501
Odessa
442
Odessa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
2418
Odessa
2339
Odessa +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 442 | Odessa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2339 | Odessa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
30.1%
Columbia +
Odessa
39.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.5%
Columbia +
Odessa
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.1%
Odessa
18.0%
Odessa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.4%
Columbia +
Odessa
25.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
18.5%
Odessa
18.1%
Odessa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.4%
Columbia +
Odessa
14.0%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 39.4% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 12.9% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 18.0% | Odessa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 25.4% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 18.1% | Odessa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 14.0% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
56.0°F
Columbia +
Odessa
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Odessa
13.5 in
Odessa +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.0°F | 65.6°F | Columbia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 13.5 in | Odessa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
9.3 µg/m³
Odessa
9.2 µg/m³
Odessa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
55.0%
Odessa
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Odessa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.2 min
Columbia +
Odessa
23.7 min
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.2 min | 23.7 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Odessa leads in median household income at $73,030, while odessa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $253,423. On public safety, Odessa 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 Odessa 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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