Columbia MO vs Pasadena 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%
Pasadena, TX
Texas · Population: 125,983
- Median HH Income$112,470
- Median Home Price$218,978
- Unemployment3.1%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
127,200
Columbia +
Pasadena
125,983
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
29.2
Columbia +
Pasadena
36.5
Foreign Born
Columbia
8.1%
Pasadena
19.3%
Pasadena +
White
Columbia
74.3%
Columbia +
Pasadena
45.5%
Black
Columbia
12.1%
Pasadena
18.1%
Pasadena +
Asian
Columbia
6.1%
Pasadena
17.0%
Pasadena +
Hispanic
Columbia
4.3%
Pasadena
25.4%
Pasadena +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,200 | 125,983 | Columbia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 36.5 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 8.1% | 19.3% | Pasadena + |
| White | 74.3% | 45.5% | Columbia + |
| Black | 12.1% | 18.1% | Pasadena + |
| Asian | 6.1% | 17.0% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 4.3% | 25.4% | Pasadena + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$64,488
Pasadena
$112,470
Pasadena +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$37,359
Pasadena
$49,845
Pasadena +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$58,527
Pasadena
$63,758
Pasadena +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
3.9%
Pasadena
3.1%
Pasadena +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
20.0%
Pasadena
4.2%
Pasadena +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
56.5%
Columbia +
Pasadena
47.4%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,488 | $112,470 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,359 | $49,845 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $63,758 | Pasadena + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 3.1% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.0% | 4.2% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 56.5% | 47.4% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$323,876
Pasadena
$218,978
Pasadena +
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
49.4%
Pasadena
76.6%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $323,876 | $218,978 | Pasadena + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.4% | 76.6% | Pasadena + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
501
Pasadena
442
Pasadena +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
2418
Pasadena
2339
Pasadena +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 442 | Pasadena + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2339 | Pasadena + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
30.1%
Columbia +
Pasadena
39.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.5%
Columbia +
Pasadena
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.1%
Pasadena
17.8%
Pasadena +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.4%
Columbia +
Pasadena
32.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
18.5%
Pasadena
17.1%
Pasadena +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.4%
Columbia +
Pasadena
14.6%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 39.1% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 14.6% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 17.8% | Pasadena + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 32.1% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 17.1% | Pasadena + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 14.6% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
56.0°F
Pasadena
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
9.3 µg/m³
Pasadena
9.2 µg/m³
Pasadena +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
55.0%
Pasadena
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Pasadena + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.2 min
Columbia +
Pasadena
36.1 min
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.2 min | 36.1 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pasadena leads in median household income at $112,470, while pasadena offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $218,978. On public safety, Pasadena is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Columbia. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.1%, and Pasadena 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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