Columbia MO vs Plano 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%
Plano, TX
Texas · Population: 287,339
- Median HH Income$108,649
- Median Home Price$507,575
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
127,200
Plano
287,339
Plano +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Plano
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
29.2
Columbia +
Plano
39.3
Foreign Born
Columbia
8.1%
Plano
28.7%
Plano +
White
Columbia
74.3%
Columbia +
Plano
53.2%
Black
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Plano
9.0%
Asian
Columbia
6.1%
Plano
22.6%
Plano +
Hispanic
Columbia
4.3%
Plano
16.2%
Plano +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,200 | 287,339 | Plano + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 39.3 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 8.1% | 28.7% | Plano + |
| White | 74.3% | 53.2% | Columbia + |
| Black | 12.1% | 9.0% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 6.1% | 22.6% | Plano + |
| Hispanic | 4.3% | 16.2% | Plano + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$64,488
Plano
$108,649
Plano +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$37,359
Plano
$57,753
Plano +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$58,527
Plano
$63,758
Plano +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
3.9%
Columbia +
Plano
4.1%
Poverty Rate
Columbia
20.0%
Plano
7.1%
Plano +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
56.5%
Plano
59.2%
Plano +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,488 | $108,649 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,359 | $57,753 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $63,758 | Plano + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 4.1% | Columbia + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.0% | 7.1% | Plano + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 56.5% | 59.2% | Plano + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$323,876
Columbia +
Plano
$507,575
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
49.4%
Plano
56.6%
Plano +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $323,876 | $507,575 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.4% | 56.6% | Plano + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
501
Plano
442
Plano +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
2418
Plano
2339
Plano +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 442 | Plano + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2339 | Plano + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
30.1%
Columbia +
Plano
31.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.5%
Columbia +
Plano
9.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.1%
Plano
14.0%
Plano +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.4%
Columbia +
Plano
10.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
18.5%
Plano
16.4%
Plano +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.4%
Plano
8.8%
Plano +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 31.2% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 9.9% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 14.0% | Plano + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 10.3% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 16.4% | Plano + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 8.8% | Plano + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
56.0°F
Plano
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Plano, 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
Plano
9.2 µg/m³
Plano +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
55.0%
Plano
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Plano + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.2 min
Columbia +
Plano
27.6 min
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.2 min | 27.6 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plano leads in median household income at $108,649, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $323,876. On public safety, Plano 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 Plano 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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