Columbia MO vs Lancaster CA — 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%
Lancaster, CA
California · Population: 170,013
- Median HH Income$76,083
- Median Home Price$466,147
- Unemployment7.1%
- Bachelor's+20.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
127,200
Lancaster
170,013
Lancaster +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
29.2
Columbia +
Lancaster
34.2
Foreign Born
Columbia
8.1%
Lancaster
13.9%
Lancaster +
White
Columbia
74.3%
Columbia +
Lancaster
35.5%
Black
Columbia
12.1%
Lancaster
21.4%
Lancaster +
Asian
Columbia
6.1%
Columbia +
Lancaster
4.0%
Hispanic
Columbia
4.3%
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,200 | 170,013 | Lancaster + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 34.2 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 8.1% | 13.9% | Lancaster + |
| White | 74.3% | 35.5% | Columbia + |
| Black | 12.1% | 21.4% | Lancaster + |
| Asian | 6.1% | 4.0% | Columbia + |
| Hispanic | 4.3% | 45.9% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$64,488
Lancaster
$76,083
Lancaster +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$37,359
Columbia +
Lancaster
$29,766
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$58,527
Lancaster
$77,230
Lancaster +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
3.9%
Columbia +
Lancaster
7.1%
Poverty Rate
Columbia
20.0%
Lancaster
15.5%
Lancaster +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
56.5%
Columbia +
Lancaster
20.1%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,488 | $76,083 | Lancaster + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,359 | $29,766 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $77,230 | Lancaster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 7.1% | Columbia + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.0% | 15.5% | Lancaster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 56.5% | 20.1% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$323,876
Columbia +
Lancaster
$466,147
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
49.4%
Lancaster
58.4%
Lancaster +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $323,876 | $466,147 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.4% | 58.4% | Lancaster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
501
Columbia +
Lancaster
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
2418
Lancaster
2388
Lancaster +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 503 | Columbia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2388 | Lancaster + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
30.1%
Columbia +
Lancaster
30.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.5%
Columbia +
Lancaster
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.1%
Columbia +
Lancaster
19.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.4%
Columbia +
Lancaster
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
18.5%
Lancaster
15.8%
Lancaster +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.4%
Columbia +
Lancaster
14.0%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 30.6% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 12.6% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 19.3% | Columbia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 12.9% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 15.8% | Lancaster + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 14.0% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
56.0°F
Columbia +
Lancaster
62.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Lancaster
7.4 in
Lancaster +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.0°F | 62.1°F | Columbia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 7.4 in | Lancaster + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
9.3 µg/m³
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Lancaster +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
55.0%
Lancaster
75.0%
Lancaster +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Lancaster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lancaster + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.2 min
Columbia +
Lancaster
33.0 min
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.2 min | 33.0 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lancaster leads in median household income at $76,083, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $323,876. On public safety, Columbia is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Lancaster. Columbia has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Lancaster has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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