Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Columbia, MO
VS
Fort Worth, TX
🏆 Columbia leads 13 of 23 categories
Columbia
Missouri
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
89.3 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$60,455
Violent Crime Index
91 ✓ Safer
Population
126,172
Fort Worth
Texas
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.3⚠ High
Median Household Income
$72,726 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
121⚠ High
Population
924,663 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Columbia, MO
Pros
24% less violent crime than Fort Worth
Rent averages $316/mo less ($997 vs $1,313)
More college-educated — 55.3% hold a bachelor's or higher
Commutes run 11 min shorter each way
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.3 pts lower (4.0%)
14% cheaper overall cost of living than Fort Worth
Cons
Median income trails Fort Worth by $12,271/yr
Fort Worth, TX
Pros
Households earn $12,271 more per year on average
Milder winters — January highs near 59°F vs 39°F
Cons
Violent crime (458.4/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 14% higher than Columbia
Property crime (2699.8/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (5.3% vs 4.0%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Columbia
Cost of Living
14% cheaper
COL index 89.3 vs 103.3 (100 = US avg)
Columbia
Violent Crime
24% lower
347.5 vs 458.4 per 100k
Columbia
Unemployment
1.3 pp lower
4.0% vs 5.3% unemployment
Fort Worth
Median Income
$12,271
$72,726 vs $60,455/yr
Fort Worth
Summer Heat
8.0°F warmer
July avg high 96.6°F vs 88.6°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Fort Worth, TX |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 89.3 ✓ Cheaper | 103.3⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $248,600 ✓ Lower | $250,300 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $997 ✓ Lower | $1,313 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $60,455 | $72,726 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 5.3%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 16.5 min ✓ Shorter | 27.0 min |
| Work From Home % | 7.6% | 10.9% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 99 ✓ Safer | 124⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 91 ✓ Safer | 121⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 110⚠ High ✓ Safer | 129⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A (123) ✓ Better | B (98) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 12.8:1 ✓ Smaller | 14.9:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 55.3% ✓ Higher | 31.2% |
| High School or Higher | 95.4% ✓ Higher | 84.1% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | COLUMBIA 93 | FORT WORTH ISD |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 39.3°F | 58.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 88.6°F | 96.6°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 44.8" | 35.3" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 17.4" | 2.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 126,172 | 924,663 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 28.8 | 33.2 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.8% | 56.7% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 19.0% | 26.8% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 11.1% ✓ More | 10.1% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Columbia's cost of living index is 89.3 vs Fort Worth's 103.3 (US average = 100).
Columbia is 14% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Columbia leads 13 of 23 categories. Columbia wins 13 and Fort Worth wins 10. 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 Columbia to Fort Worth or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($248,600 vs $250,300 median home), income ($60,455 vs $72,726), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Columbia, MO and Fort Worth, TX are about 510 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.