Columbia MO vs Jacksonville FL — 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%
Jacksonville, FL
Florida · Population: 961,739
- Median HH Income$66,981
- Median Home Price$286,396
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
127,200
Jacksonville
961,739
Jacksonville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Jacksonville
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
29.2
Columbia +
Jacksonville
36.4
Foreign Born
Columbia
8.1%
Jacksonville
12.2%
Jacksonville +
White
Columbia
74.3%
Columbia +
Jacksonville
51.2%
Black
Columbia
12.1%
Jacksonville
30.1%
Jacksonville +
Asian
Columbia
6.1%
Columbia +
Jacksonville
4.9%
Hispanic
Columbia
4.3%
Jacksonville
12.0%
Jacksonville +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Jacksonville
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,200 | 961,739 | Jacksonville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 36.4 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 8.1% | 12.2% | Jacksonville + |
| White | 74.3% | 51.2% | Columbia + |
| Black | 12.1% | 30.1% | Jacksonville + |
| Asian | 6.1% | 4.9% | Columbia + |
| Hispanic | 4.3% | 12.0% | Jacksonville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$64,488
Jacksonville
$66,981
Jacksonville +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$37,359
Columbia +
Jacksonville
$37,269
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$58,527
Jacksonville
$65,328
Jacksonville +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
3.9%
Columbia +
Jacksonville
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Columbia
20.0%
Jacksonville
15.0%
Jacksonville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
56.5%
Columbia +
Jacksonville
31.9%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,488 | $66,981 | Jacksonville + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,359 | $37,269 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $65,328 | Jacksonville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 4.6% | Columbia + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.0% | 15.0% | Jacksonville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 56.5% | 31.9% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$323,876
Jacksonville
$286,396
Jacksonville +
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
49.4%
Jacksonville
57.4%
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $323,876 | $286,396 | Jacksonville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.4% | 57.4% | Jacksonville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
501
Jacksonville
324
Jacksonville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
2418
Jacksonville
1453
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 324 | Jacksonville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1453 | Jacksonville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
30.1%
Columbia +
Jacksonville
34.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.5%
Columbia +
Jacksonville
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.1%
Jacksonville
18.8%
Jacksonville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.4%
Columbia +
Jacksonville
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
18.5%
Jacksonville
15.2%
Jacksonville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.4%
Columbia +
Jacksonville
14.8%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 34.8% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 13.2% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 18.8% | Jacksonville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 13.9% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 15.2% | Jacksonville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 14.8% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
56.0°F
Columbia +
Jacksonville
70.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Columbia +
Jacksonville
50.0 in
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.0°F | 70.2°F | Columbia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 50.0 in | Columbia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
9.3 µg/m³
Jacksonville
7.2 µg/m³
Jacksonville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
55.0%
Jacksonville
75.0%
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Jacksonville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Jacksonville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.2 min
Columbia +
Jacksonville
26.0 min
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.2 min | 26.0 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jacksonville leads in median household income at $66,981, while jacksonville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $286,396. On public safety, Jacksonville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Columbia. Columbia has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Jacksonville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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