Columbia MO vs Denver CO — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Columbia, MO
Missouri · Population: 127,200
- Median HH Income$64,488
- Median Home Price$323,876
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+56.5%
Denver, CO
Colorado · Population: 713,734
- Median HH Income$91,681
- Median Home Price$541,899
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+55.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
127,200
Denver
713,734
Denver +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Denver
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
29.2
Columbia +
Denver
35.2
Foreign Born
Columbia
8.1%
Denver
13.9%
Denver +
White
Columbia
74.3%
Columbia +
Denver
62.9%
Black
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Denver
8.8%
Asian
Columbia
6.1%
Columbia +
Denver
3.6%
Hispanic
Columbia
4.3%
Denver
27.9%
Denver +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Denver
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,200 | 713,734 | Denver + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 35.2 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 8.1% | 13.9% | Denver + |
| White | 74.3% | 62.9% | Columbia + |
| Black | 12.1% | 8.8% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 6.1% | 3.6% | Columbia + |
| Hispanic | 4.3% | 27.9% | Denver + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$64,488
Denver
$91,681
Denver +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$37,359
Denver
$61,202
Denver +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$58,527
Denver
$76,653
Denver +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
3.9%
Columbia +
Denver
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Columbia
20.0%
Denver
11.2%
Denver +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
56.5%
Columbia +
Denver
55.6%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,488 | $91,681 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,359 | $61,202 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $76,653 | Denver + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 4.6% | Columbia + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.0% | 11.2% | Denver + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 56.5% | 55.6% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$323,876
Columbia +
Denver
$541,899
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
49.4%
Columbia +
Denver
49.1%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $323,876 | $541,899 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.4% | 49.1% | Columbia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
501
Columbia +
Denver
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
2418
Columbia +
Denver
3234
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 512 | Columbia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 3234 | Columbia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
30.1%
Denver
21.6%
Denver +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.5%
Denver
7.1%
Denver +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.1%
Denver
15.5%
Denver +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.4%
Columbia +
Denver
13.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
18.5%
Columbia +
Denver
25.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.4%
Denver
10.2%
Denver +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 21.6% | Denver + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 7.1% | Denver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 15.5% | Denver + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 13.3% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 25.9% | Columbia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 10.2% | Denver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
56.0°F
Denver
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Denver
17.2 in
Denver +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 17.2 in | Denver + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
9.3 µg/m³
Denver
6.2 µg/m³
Denver +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
55.0%
Denver
75.0%
Denver +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Denver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Denver + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.2 min
Columbia +
Denver
27.4 min
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.2 min | 27.4 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Denver leads in median household income at $91,681, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $323,876. On public safety, Columbia is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Denver. Columbia has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Denver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Denver scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.6%.
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