Columbia MO vs Escondido 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%
Escondido, CA
California · Population: 107,066
- Median HH Income$64,484
- Median Home Price$849,335
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+14.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
127,200
Columbia +
Escondido
107,066
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Escondido
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
29.2
Columbia +
Escondido
38.1
Foreign Born
Columbia
8.1%
Escondido
49.7%
Escondido +
White
Columbia
74.3%
Columbia +
Escondido
13.7%
Black
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Escondido
0.6%
Asian
Columbia
6.1%
Escondido
29.3%
Escondido +
Hispanic
Columbia
4.3%
Escondido
65.1%
Escondido +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Escondido
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Escondido, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,200 | 107,066 | Columbia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 38.1 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 8.1% | 49.7% | Escondido + |
| White | 74.3% | 13.7% | Columbia + |
| Black | 12.1% | 0.6% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 6.1% | 29.3% | Escondido + |
| Hispanic | 4.3% | 65.1% | Escondido + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$64,488
Columbia +
Escondido
$64,484
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$37,359
Columbia +
Escondido
$24,356
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$58,527
Escondido
$77,230
Escondido +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
3.9%
Columbia +
Escondido
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Columbia
20.0%
Escondido
17.2%
Escondido +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
56.5%
Columbia +
Escondido
14.7%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Escondido, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,488 | $64,484 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,359 | $24,356 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $77,230 | Escondido + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 6.4% | Columbia + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.0% | 17.2% | Escondido + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 56.5% | 14.7% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$323,876
Columbia +
Escondido
$849,335
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
49.4%
Columbia +
Escondido
40.1%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Escondido, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $323,876 | $849,335 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.4% | 40.1% | Columbia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
501
Columbia +
Escondido
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
2418
Escondido
2388
Escondido +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Escondido, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 503 | Columbia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2388 | Escondido + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
30.1%
Escondido
28.1%
Escondido +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.5%
Columbia +
Escondido
11.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.1%
Escondido
18.0%
Escondido +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.4%
Columbia +
Escondido
14.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
18.5%
Escondido
16.2%
Escondido +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.4%
Escondido
12.2%
Escondido +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Escondido, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 28.1% | Escondido + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 11.3% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 18.0% | Escondido + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 14.1% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 16.2% | Escondido + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 12.2% | Escondido + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
56.0°F
Escondido
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Escondido
11.1 in
Escondido +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Escondido, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 11.1 in | Escondido + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
9.3 µg/m³
Escondido
7.9 µg/m³
Escondido +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
55.0%
Escondido
75.0%
Escondido +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Escondido, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Escondido + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Escondido + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.2 min
Columbia +
Escondido
31.6 min
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Escondido, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.2 min | 31.6 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbia leads in median household income at $64,488, 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 Escondido. Columbia has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Escondido has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Escondido scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.1%.
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