Columbia vs Abilene: Cost of Living (2026)
A side-by-side comparison of Columbia, MO and Abilene, TX, using US Census Bureau data.
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Abilene, TX |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,172 | 126,356 |
| Median household income | $60,455 | $59,254 |
| Median home value | $248,600 | $161,800 |
| Median rent (/mo) | $997 | $1,060 |
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Highlighted cell = more affordable / higher income.
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compare-top (set NEXT_PUBLIC_ADSENSE_CLIENT to serve real ads)Comparing Columbia, MO and Abilene, TX comes down to what you value most. Abilene has the lower median home value, and Columbia has the lower median rent.
Columbia has the higher median household income, which affects how far a paycheck stretches against local housing costs. The table below breaks down the key numbers side by side, all sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Frequently asked questions
- Is it cheaper to live in Columbia or Abilene?
- By median home value, Abilene is the cheaper of the two ($161,800 vs $248,600). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
- Which has higher salaries, Columbia or Abilene?
- Median household income is $60,455 in Columbia versus $59,254 in Abilene, per the US Census Bureau.