Boston MA vs Columbia MO — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Boston, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 663,972
- Median HH Income$94,755
- Median Home Price$793,154
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+54.1%
Columbia, MO
Missouri · Population: 127,200
- Median HH Income$64,488
- Median Home Price$323,876
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+56.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Boston
663,972
Boston +
Columbia
127,200
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boston
N/A
Columbia
N/A
Median Age
Boston
33.2
Columbia
29.2
Columbia +
Foreign Born
Boston
27.5%
Boston +
Columbia
8.1%
White
Boston
47.8%
Columbia
74.3%
Columbia +
Black
Boston
21.5%
Boston +
Columbia
12.1%
Asian
Boston
10.0%
Boston +
Columbia
6.1%
Hispanic
Boston
18.9%
Boston +
Columbia
4.3%
Spanish at Home
Boston
N/A
Columbia
N/A
| Metric | Boston, MA | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 663,972 | 127,200 | Boston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.2 | 29.2 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 27.5% | 8.1% | Boston + |
| White | 47.8% | 74.3% | Columbia + |
| Black | 21.5% | 12.1% | Boston + |
| Asian | 10.0% | 6.1% | Boston + |
| Hispanic | 18.9% | 4.3% | Boston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boston
$94,755
Boston +
Columbia
$64,488
Per Capita Income
Boston
$60,001
Boston +
Columbia
$37,359
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boston
$85,405
Boston +
Columbia
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Boston
6.0%
Columbia
3.9%
Columbia +
Poverty Rate
Boston
16.9%
Boston +
Columbia
20.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boston
54.1%
Columbia
56.5%
Columbia +
| Metric | Boston, MA | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,755 | $64,488 | Boston + |
| Per Capita Income | $60,001 | $37,359 | Boston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $58,527 | Boston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 3.9% | Columbia + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.9% | 20.0% | Boston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 54.1% | 56.5% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boston
$793,154
Columbia
$323,876
Columbia +
Homeownership Rate
Boston
35.4%
Columbia
49.4%
Columbia +
| Metric | Boston, MA | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $793,154 | $323,876 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 35.4% | 49.4% | Columbia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boston
326
Boston +
Columbia
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boston
1086
Boston +
Columbia
2418
| Metric | Boston, MA | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 501 | Boston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 2418 | Boston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boston
23.4%
Boston +
Columbia
30.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boston
8.6%
Columbia
8.5%
Columbia +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boston
18.0%
Boston +
Columbia
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boston
6.3%
Boston +
Columbia
8.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boston
20.7%
Columbia
18.5%
Columbia +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boston
10.7%
Boston +
Columbia
12.4%
| Metric | Boston, MA | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 30.1% | Boston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 8.5% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 19.1% | Boston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.3% | 8.4% | Boston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.7% | 18.5% | Columbia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 12.4% | Boston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boston
51.5°F
Boston +
Columbia
56.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boston
43.8 in
Boston +
Columbia
46.3 in
| Metric | Boston, MA | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5°F | 56.0°F | Boston + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.8 in | 46.3 in | Boston + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boston
7.2 µg/m³
Boston +
Columbia
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boston
75.0%
Boston +
Columbia
55.0%
| Metric | Boston, MA | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Boston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Boston + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boston
33.1 min
Columbia
18.2 min
Columbia +
| Metric | Boston, MA | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 18.2 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boston leads in median household income at $94,755, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $323,876. On public safety, Boston is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Columbia. Columbia has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Boston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.4%.
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