Columbia MO vs Fresno 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%
Fresno, CA
California · Population: 543,615
- Median HH Income$66,804
- Median Home Price$391,442
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
127,200
Fresno
543,615
Fresno +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Fresno
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
29.2
Columbia +
Fresno
32.4
Foreign Born
Columbia
8.1%
Fresno
18.9%
Fresno +
White
Columbia
74.3%
Columbia +
Fresno
38.0%
Black
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Fresno
6.7%
Asian
Columbia
6.1%
Fresno
14.2%
Fresno +
Hispanic
Columbia
4.3%
Fresno
50.5%
Fresno +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Fresno
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,200 | 543,615 | Fresno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 32.4 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 8.1% | 18.9% | Fresno + |
| White | 74.3% | 38.0% | Columbia + |
| Black | 12.1% | 6.7% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 6.1% | 14.2% | Fresno + |
| Hispanic | 4.3% | 50.5% | Fresno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$64,488
Fresno
$66,804
Fresno +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$37,359
Columbia +
Fresno
$31,012
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$58,527
Fresno
$77,230
Fresno +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
3.9%
Columbia +
Fresno
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Columbia
20.0%
Columbia +
Fresno
20.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
56.5%
Columbia +
Fresno
24.9%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,488 | $66,804 | Fresno + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,359 | $31,012 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $77,230 | Fresno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 8.6% | Columbia + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.0% | 20.9% | Columbia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 56.5% | 24.9% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$323,876
Columbia +
Fresno
$391,442
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
49.4%
Fresno
49.7%
Fresno +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $323,876 | $391,442 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.4% | 49.7% | Fresno + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
501
Columbia +
Fresno
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
2418
Fresno
2388
Fresno +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 503 | Columbia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2388 | Fresno + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
30.1%
Columbia +
Fresno
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.5%
Columbia +
Fresno
12.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.1%
Fresno
19.1%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.4%
Columbia +
Fresno
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
18.5%
Fresno
14.1%
Fresno +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.4%
Columbia +
Fresno
13.8%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 37.5% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 12.7% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 19.1% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 15.3% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 14.1% | Fresno + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 13.8% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
56.0°F
Columbia +
Fresno
64.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Fresno
12.8 in
Fresno +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.0°F | 64.2°F | Columbia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 12.8 in | Fresno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
9.3 µg/m³
Fresno
7.9 µg/m³
Fresno +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
55.0%
Fresno
75.0%
Fresno +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Fresno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Fresno + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.2 min
Columbia +
Fresno
23.7 min
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Fresno, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.2 min | 23.7 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fresno leads in median household income at $66,804, 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 Fresno. Columbia has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Fresno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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