Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Austin, TX
VS
Columbia, MO
🏆 Columbia leads 13 of 23 categories
Austin
Texas
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
97.6
Median Household Income
$86,556 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
123⚠ High
Population
958,202 ✓ Larger
Columbia
Missouri
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
89.3 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$60,455
Violent Crime Index
91 ✓ Safer
Population
126,172
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Austin, TX
Pros
Households earn $26,101 more per year on average
Milder winters — January highs near 63°F vs 39°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $461,500
Higher rents — median is $1,549/mo
Violent crime (466.9/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3241.9/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Columbia, MO
Pros
Homes cost $213k less ($248,600 vs $461,500)
Rent averages $552/mo less ($997 vs $1,549)
26% less violent crime than Austin
Commutes run 8 min shorter each way
8% cheaper overall cost of living than Austin
Living costs sit below the national average (index 89.3)
Cons
Median income trails Austin by $26,101/yr
Key Differences at a Glance
Austin
Median Income
$26,101
$86,556 vs $60,455/yr
Austin
Summer Heat
8.0°F warmer
July avg high 96.6°F vs 88.6°F
Columbia
Cost of Living
8% cheaper
COL index 89.3 vs 97.6 (100 = US avg)
Columbia
Violent Crime
26% lower
347.5 vs 466.9 per 100k
Columbia
Median Home Value
$213k less
$248,600 vs $461,500
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Austin, TX | Columbia, MO |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 97.6 | 89.3 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $461,500⚠ High | $248,600 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,549⚠ High | $997 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $86,556 ✓ Higher | $60,455 |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4%⚠ High | 4.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 24.1 min | 16.5 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 22.9% ✓ Higher | 7.6% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 135⚠ High | 99 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 123⚠ High | 91 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 154⚠ High | 110⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A+ (133) ✓ Better | A (123) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.0:1 | 12.8:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 56.5% ✓ Higher | 55.3% |
| High School or Higher | 91.1% | 95.4% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | AUSTIN ISD | COLUMBIA 93 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 62.5°F ✓ Warmer | 39.3°F |
| Avg High — July | 96.6°F ✓ Warmer | 88.6°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 36.2" ✓ Drier | 44.8" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.2" ✓ Less | 17.4" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 958,202 ✓ Larger | 126,172 |
| Median Age | 34.2 ✓ Older | 28.8 |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.4% | 48.8% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 18.7% | 19.0% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 9.8% | 11.1% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Austin's cost of living index is 97.6 vs Columbia's 89.3 (US average = 100).
Columbia is 8% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Columbia leads 13 of 23 categories. Austin wins 10 and Columbia wins 13. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Austin to Columbia or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($461,500 vs $248,600 median home), income ($86,556 vs $60,455), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Austin, TX and Columbia, MO are about 672 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.