Columbia MO vs San Antonio 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%
San Antonio, TX
Texas · Population: 1,458,954
- Median HH Income$62,917
- Median Home Price$251,035
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+28.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
127,200
San Antonio
1,458,954
San Antonio +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
29.2
Columbia +
San Antonio
34.6
Foreign Born
Columbia
8.1%
San Antonio
14.3%
San Antonio +
White
Columbia
74.3%
Columbia +
San Antonio
48.3%
Black
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
San Antonio
7.0%
Asian
Columbia
6.1%
Columbia +
San Antonio
3.1%
Hispanic
Columbia
4.3%
San Antonio
64.4%
San Antonio +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, MO | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,200 | 1,458,954 | San Antonio + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 34.6 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 8.1% | 14.3% | San Antonio + |
| White | 74.3% | 48.3% | Columbia + |
| Black | 12.1% | 7.0% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 6.1% | 3.1% | Columbia + |
| Hispanic | 4.3% | 64.4% | San Antonio + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$64,488
Columbia +
San Antonio
$62,917
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$37,359
Columbia +
San Antonio
$32,983
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$58,527
San Antonio
$63,758
San Antonio +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
3.9%
Columbia +
San Antonio
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Columbia
20.0%
San Antonio
17.1%
San Antonio +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
56.5%
Columbia +
San Antonio
28.7%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,488 | $62,917 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,359 | $32,983 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $63,758 | San Antonio + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 5.8% | Columbia + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.0% | 17.1% | San Antonio + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 56.5% | 28.7% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$323,876
San Antonio
$251,035
San Antonio +
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
49.4%
San Antonio
52.4%
San Antonio +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $323,876 | $251,035 | San Antonio + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.4% | 52.4% | San Antonio + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
501
San Antonio
442
San Antonio +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
2418
San Antonio
2339
San Antonio +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 442 | San Antonio + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2339 | San Antonio + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
30.1%
Columbia +
San Antonio
34.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.5%
Columbia +
San Antonio
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.1%
San Antonio
17.2%
San Antonio +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.4%
Columbia +
San Antonio
24.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
18.5%
San Antonio
16.0%
San Antonio +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.4%
Columbia +
San Antonio
13.0%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 34.9% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 15.2% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 17.2% | San Antonio + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 24.5% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 16.0% | San Antonio + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 13.0% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
56.0°F
Columbia +
San Antonio
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
San Antonio
34.9 in
San Antonio +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.0°F | 68.5°F | Columbia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 34.9 in | San Antonio + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
9.3 µg/m³
San Antonio
9.2 µg/m³
San Antonio +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
55.0%
San Antonio
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, MO | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | San Antonio + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.2 min
Columbia +
San Antonio
26.5 min
| Metric | Columbia, MO | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.2 min | 26.5 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbia leads in median household income at $64,488, while san Antonio offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $251,035. On public safety, San Antonio 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 San Antonio 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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