Columbia MO vs Kirkland WA — 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%
Kirkland, WA
Washington · Population: 57,088
- Median HH Income$87,277
- Median Home Price$1,274,801
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
127,200
Columbia +
Kirkland
57,088
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Kirkland
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
29.2
Columbia +
Kirkland
37.7
Foreign Born
Columbia
8.1%
Kirkland
12.4%
Kirkland +
White
Columbia
74.3%
Columbia +
Kirkland
66.8%
Black
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Kirkland
6.1%
Asian
Columbia
6.1%
Kirkland
10.0%
Kirkland +
Hispanic
Columbia
4.3%
Kirkland
12.7%
Kirkland +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Kirkland
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,200 | 57,088 | Columbia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 37.7 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 8.1% | 12.4% | Kirkland + |
| White | 74.3% | 66.8% | Columbia + |
| Black | 12.1% | 6.1% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 6.1% | 10.0% | Kirkland + |
| Hispanic | 4.3% | 12.7% | Kirkland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$64,488
Kirkland
$87,277
Kirkland +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$37,359
Kirkland
$41,024
Kirkland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$58,527
Kirkland
$76,120
Kirkland +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
3.9%
Columbia +
Kirkland
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Columbia
20.0%
Kirkland
11.0%
Kirkland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
56.5%
Columbia +
Kirkland
32.2%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,488 | $87,277 | Kirkland + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,359 | $41,024 | Kirkland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $76,120 | Kirkland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 5.1% | Columbia + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.0% | 11.0% | Kirkland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 56.5% | 32.2% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$323,876
Columbia +
Kirkland
$1,274,801
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
49.4%
Kirkland
57.2%
Kirkland +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $323,876 | $1,274,801 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.4% | 57.2% | Kirkland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
501
Kirkland
383
Kirkland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
2418
Columbia +
Kirkland
3409
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 383 | Kirkland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 3409 | Columbia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
30.1%
Kirkland
21.8%
Kirkland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.5%
Kirkland
6.4%
Kirkland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.1%
Kirkland
14.2%
Kirkland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.4%
Kirkland
5.3%
Kirkland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
18.5%
Kirkland
18.1%
Kirkland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.4%
Kirkland
6.3%
Kirkland +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 21.8% | Kirkland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 6.4% | Kirkland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 14.2% | Kirkland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 5.3% | Kirkland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 18.1% | Kirkland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 6.3% | Kirkland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
56.0°F
Kirkland
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Kirkland
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
9.3 µg/m³
Kirkland
7.5 µg/m³
Kirkland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
55.0%
Kirkland
75.0%
Kirkland +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Kirkland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Kirkland + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.2 min
Columbia +
Kirkland
28.2 min
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.2 min | 28.2 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kirkland leads in median household income at $87,277, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $323,876. On public safety, Kirkland is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Columbia. Columbia has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Kirkland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kirkland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.8%.
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