Chandler AZ 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)
Chandler, AZ
Arizona · Population: 278,123
- Median HH Income$103,691
- Median Home Price$524,013
- Unemployment3.6%
- Bachelor's+46.8%
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
Chandler
278,123
Chandler +
Columbia
127,200
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chandler
N/A
Columbia
N/A
Median Age
Chandler
37.4
Columbia
29.2
Columbia +
Foreign Born
Chandler
15.4%
Chandler +
Columbia
8.1%
White
Chandler
62.6%
Columbia
74.3%
Columbia +
Black
Chandler
5.2%
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Asian
Chandler
11.4%
Chandler +
Columbia
6.1%
Hispanic
Chandler
21.4%
Chandler +
Columbia
4.3%
Spanish at Home
Chandler
N/A
Columbia
N/A
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 278,123 | 127,200 | Chandler + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.4 | 29.2 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 15.4% | 8.1% | Chandler + |
| White | 62.6% | 74.3% | Columbia + |
| Black | 5.2% | 12.1% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 11.4% | 6.1% | Chandler + |
| Hispanic | 21.4% | 4.3% | Chandler + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chandler
$103,691
Chandler +
Columbia
$64,488
Per Capita Income
Chandler
$51,746
Chandler +
Columbia
$37,359
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chandler
$59,120
Chandler +
Columbia
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Chandler
3.6%
Chandler +
Columbia
3.9%
Poverty Rate
Chandler
7.7%
Chandler +
Columbia
20.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chandler
46.8%
Columbia
56.5%
Columbia +
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $103,691 | $64,488 | Chandler + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,746 | $37,359 | Chandler + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $58,527 | Chandler + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 3.9% | Chandler + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.7% | 20.0% | Chandler + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.8% | 56.5% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chandler
$524,013
Columbia
$323,876
Columbia +
Homeownership Rate
Chandler
65.6%
Chandler +
Columbia
49.4%
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $524,013 | $323,876 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.6% | 49.4% | Chandler + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chandler
450
Chandler +
Columbia
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chandler
2150
Chandler +
Columbia
2418
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 501 | Chandler + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 2418 | Chandler + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chandler
28.2%
Chandler +
Columbia
30.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chandler
9.1%
Columbia
8.5%
Columbia +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chandler
14.1%
Chandler +
Columbia
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chandler
9.7%
Columbia
8.4%
Columbia +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chandler
16.7%
Chandler +
Columbia
18.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chandler
9.4%
Chandler +
Columbia
12.4%
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.2% | 30.1% | Chandler + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 8.5% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.1% | 19.1% | Chandler + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 8.4% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 18.5% | Chandler + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 12.4% | Chandler + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chandler
N/A
Columbia
56.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chandler
N/A
Columbia
46.3 in
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 56.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chandler
7.1 µg/m³
Chandler +
Columbia
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chandler
75.0%
Chandler +
Columbia
55.0%
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Chandler + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Chandler + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chandler
26.1 min
Columbia
18.2 min
Columbia +
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.1 min | 18.2 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chandler leads in median household income at $103,691, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $323,876. On public safety, Chandler is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Columbia. Chandler has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Chandler has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chandler scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.2%.
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