CostIndexUSA

Abilene, TX vs Columbia, MO Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

TX
Abilene
90.4
overall index
$1,775/mo rent
More AffordableMO
Columbia
89.4
overall index
$1,350/mo rent

Columbia is slightly cheaper than Abilene — 1.1% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Abilene, you would need $79,100 in Columbia. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing6.2%
Abilene
73.8
Columbia
69.2
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Abilene
93.8
Columbia
94.2
🚗 Transportation3.4%
Abilene
101.1
Columbia
97.7
🏥 Healthcare3.3%
Abilene
91.4
Columbia
88.4
Utilities+5.9%
Abilene
81.2
Columbia
86

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Abilene to see what you'd need to earn in Columbia to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Columbia, MO
$79,100
$900 less needed in Columbia

Formula: salary × (89.4 ÷ 90.4) = salary × 0.9889. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Abilene, TX

Median Home Price
$200,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,775
Housing Index
73.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
9.4×

Columbia, MO

Median Home Price
$308,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,350
Housing Index
69.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.0×

Abilene has 6.2% lower housing costs compared to Columbia.

Income & Job Market

Abilene, TX

Median Household Income
$61,300
Per Capita Income
$34,900
Unemployment Rate
3.4%
Population
124,451
Top Industries
HealthcareMilitaryEducationRetailManufacturing

Columbia, MO

Median Household Income
$69,400
Per Capita Income
$39,600
Unemployment Rate
2.9%
Population
126,254
Top Industries
EducationHealthcareGovernmentTechnologyFinance

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Abilene, TX
2.9×income-to-rent ratio

65% of income left after rent (median)

Columbia, MO
4.3×income-to-rent ratio

77% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.