Columbia MO vs Kansas City KS — 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%
Kansas City, KS
Kansas · Population: 154,776
- Median HH Income$59,183
- Median Home Price$202,558
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+20.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
127,200
Kansas City
154,776
Kansas City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
29.2
Columbia +
Kansas City
34.0
Foreign Born
Columbia
8.1%
Kansas City
18.6%
Kansas City +
White
Columbia
74.3%
Columbia +
Kansas City
44.0%
Black
Columbia
12.1%
Kansas City
20.4%
Kansas City +
Asian
Columbia
6.1%
Columbia +
Kansas City
5.3%
Hispanic
Columbia
4.3%
Kansas City
35.0%
Kansas City +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,200 | 154,776 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 34.0 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 8.1% | 18.6% | Kansas City + |
| White | 74.3% | 44.0% | Columbia + |
| Black | 12.1% | 20.4% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 6.1% | 5.3% | Columbia + |
| Hispanic | 4.3% | 35.0% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$64,488
Columbia +
Kansas City
$59,183
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$37,359
Columbia +
Kansas City
$28,059
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$58,527
Kansas City
$61,860
Kansas City +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
3.9%
Columbia +
Kansas City
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Columbia
20.0%
Kansas City
17.9%
Kansas City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
56.5%
Columbia +
Kansas City
20.2%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,488 | $59,183 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,359 | $28,059 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $61,860 | Kansas City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 5.5% | Columbia + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.0% | 17.9% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 56.5% | 20.2% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$323,876
Kansas City
$202,558
Kansas City +
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
49.4%
Kansas City
60.4%
Kansas City +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $323,876 | $202,558 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.4% | 60.4% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
501
Kansas City
449
Kansas City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
2418
Kansas City
2174
Kansas City +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 449 | Kansas City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2174 | Kansas City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
30.1%
Columbia +
Kansas City
41.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.5%
Columbia +
Kansas City
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.1%
Kansas City
17.6%
Kansas City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.4%
Columbia +
Kansas City
18.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
18.5%
Kansas City
15.3%
Kansas City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.4%
Columbia +
Kansas City
18.3%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 41.2% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 14.6% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 17.6% | Kansas City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 18.4% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 15.3% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 18.3% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
56.0°F
Kansas City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Kansas City
38.1 in
Kansas City +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 38.1 in | Kansas City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
9.3 µg/m³
Kansas City
8.2 µg/m³
Kansas City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
55.0%
Kansas City
75.0%
Kansas City +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Kansas City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Kansas City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.2 min
Columbia +
Kansas City
23.7 min
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.2 min | 23.7 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbia leads in median household income at $64,488, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $202,558. On public safety, Kansas City is safer with a violent crime rate of 449 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Columbia. Columbia has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Kansas City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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