Columbia MO vs Downey CA — 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%
Downey, CA
California · Population: 114,617
- Median HH Income$68,378
- Median Home Price$888,820
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+10.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
127,200
Columbia +
Downey
114,617
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Downey
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
29.2
Columbia +
Downey
34.0
Foreign Born
Columbia
8.1%
Downey
39.4%
Downey +
White
Columbia
74.3%
Columbia +
Downey
21.0%
Black
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Downey
0.4%
Asian
Columbia
6.1%
Columbia +
Downey
1.5%
Hispanic
Columbia
4.3%
Downey
95.6%
Downey +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Downey
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,200 | 114,617 | Columbia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 34.0 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 8.1% | 39.4% | Downey + |
| White | 74.3% | 21.0% | Columbia + |
| Black | 12.1% | 0.4% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 6.1% | 1.5% | Columbia + |
| Hispanic | 4.3% | 95.6% | Downey + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$64,488
Downey
$68,378
Downey +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$37,359
Columbia +
Downey
$23,265
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$58,527
Downey
$77,230
Downey +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
3.9%
Columbia +
Downey
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Columbia
20.0%
Downey
16.6%
Downey +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
56.5%
Columbia +
Downey
10.6%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,488 | $68,378 | Downey + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,359 | $23,265 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $77,230 | Downey + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 6.0% | Columbia + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.0% | 16.6% | Downey + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 56.5% | 10.6% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$323,876
Columbia +
Downey
$888,820
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
49.4%
Columbia +
Downey
33.7%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $323,876 | $888,820 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.4% | 33.7% | Columbia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
501
Columbia +
Downey
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
2418
Downey
2388
Downey +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 503 | Columbia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2388 | Downey + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
30.1%
Downey
27.6%
Downey +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.5%
Columbia +
Downey
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.1%
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.4%
Columbia +
Downey
14.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
18.5%
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.4%
Downey
9.9%
Downey +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 27.6% | Downey + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 11.8% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 16.1% | Downey + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 14.8% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 16.1% | Downey + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 9.9% | Downey + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
56.0°F
Downey
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Downey
14.3 in
Downey +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 14.3 in | Downey + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
9.3 µg/m³
Downey
7.9 µg/m³
Downey +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
55.0%
Downey
75.0%
Downey +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Downey + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Downey + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.2 min
Columbia +
Downey
33.1 min
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Downey, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.2 min | 33.1 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Downey leads in median household income at $68,378, 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 503 in Downey. Columbia has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Downey has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Downey scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.6%.
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