Columbia MO vs Hartford CT — 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%
Hartford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 119,970
- Median HH Income$45,300
- Median Home Price$199,359
- Unemployment10.6%
- Bachelor's+18.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
127,200
Columbia +
Hartford
119,970
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Hartford
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
29.2
Columbia +
Hartford
33.4
Foreign Born
Columbia
8.1%
Hartford
23.0%
Hartford +
White
Columbia
74.3%
Columbia +
Hartford
26.4%
Black
Columbia
12.1%
Hartford
36.1%
Hartford +
Asian
Columbia
6.1%
Columbia +
Hartford
2.3%
Hispanic
Columbia
4.3%
Hartford
44.8%
Hartford +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Hartford
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,200 | 119,970 | Columbia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 33.4 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 8.1% | 23.0% | Hartford + |
| White | 74.3% | 26.4% | Columbia + |
| Black | 12.1% | 36.1% | Hartford + |
| Asian | 6.1% | 2.3% | Columbia + |
| Hispanic | 4.3% | 44.8% | Hartford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$64,488
Columbia +
Hartford
$45,300
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$37,359
Columbia +
Hartford
$27,319
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$58,527
Hartford
$85,393
Hartford +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
3.9%
Columbia +
Hartford
10.6%
Poverty Rate
Columbia
20.0%
Columbia +
Hartford
25.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
56.5%
Columbia +
Hartford
18.3%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,488 | $45,300 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,359 | $27,319 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $85,393 | Hartford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 10.6% | Columbia + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.0% | 25.5% | Columbia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 56.5% | 18.3% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$323,876
Hartford
$199,359
Hartford +
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
49.4%
Columbia +
Hartford
25.8%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $323,876 | $199,359 | Hartford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.4% | 25.8% | Columbia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
501
Hartford
156
Hartford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
2418
Hartford
1524
Hartford +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 156 | Hartford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1524 | Hartford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
30.1%
Columbia +
Hartford
40.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.5%
Columbia +
Hartford
15.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.1%
Columbia +
Hartford
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.4%
Columbia +
Hartford
20.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
18.5%
Hartford
13.7%
Hartford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.4%
Columbia +
Hartford
16.3%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 40.4% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 15.8% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 20.8% | Columbia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 20.3% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 13.7% | Hartford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 16.3% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
56.0°F
Hartford
50.6°F
Hartford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Hartford
45.9 in
Hartford +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.0°F | 50.6°F | Hartford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 45.9 in | Hartford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
9.3 µg/m³
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
Hartford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
55.0%
Hartford
75.0%
Hartford +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Hartford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Hartford + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.2 min
Columbia +
Hartford
24.4 min
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.2 min | 24.4 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbia leads in median household income at $64,488, while hartford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $199,359. On public safety, Hartford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Columbia. Columbia has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Hartford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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