Columbia MO vs Independence MO — 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%
Independence, MO
Missouri · Population: 121,944
- Median HH Income$59,480
- Median Home Price$210,384
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+20.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
127,200
Columbia +
Independence
121,944
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Independence
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
29.2
Columbia +
Independence
38.4
Foreign Born
Columbia
8.1%
Columbia +
Independence
5.3%
White
Columbia
74.3%
Columbia +
Independence
72.2%
Black
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Independence
10.8%
Asian
Columbia
6.1%
Columbia +
Independence
1.4%
Hispanic
Columbia
4.3%
Independence
12.4%
Independence +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Independence
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,200 | 121,944 | Columbia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 38.4 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 8.1% | 5.3% | Columbia + |
| White | 74.3% | 72.2% | Columbia + |
| Black | 12.1% | 10.8% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 6.1% | 1.4% | Columbia + |
| Hispanic | 4.3% | 12.4% | Independence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$64,488
Columbia +
Independence
$59,480
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$37,359
Columbia +
Independence
$31,683
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$58,527
Independence
$58,527
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
3.9%
Columbia +
Independence
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Columbia
20.0%
Independence
15.3%
Independence +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
56.5%
Columbia +
Independence
20.9%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,488 | $59,480 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,359 | $31,683 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $58,527 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 6.0% | Columbia + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.0% | 15.3% | Independence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 56.5% | 20.9% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$323,876
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
49.4%
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $323,876 | $210,384 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.4% | 61.0% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
501
Independence
501
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
2418
Independence
2418
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 501 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2418 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
30.1%
Columbia +
Independence
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.5%
Columbia +
Independence
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.1%
Columbia +
Independence
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.4%
Columbia +
Independence
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
18.5%
Independence
16.8%
Independence +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.4%
Columbia +
Independence
18.4%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 37.3% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 12.9% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 19.9% | Columbia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 11.5% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 16.8% | Independence + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 18.4% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
56.0°F
Independence
54.5°F
Independence +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Independence
43.7 in
Independence +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.0°F | 54.5°F | Independence + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 43.7 in | Independence + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
9.3 µg/m³
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
55.0%
Independence
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.2 min
Columbia +
Independence
25.5 min
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.2 min | 25.5 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbia leads in median household income at $64,488, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Independence is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Columbia. Columbia has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Independence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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