Columbia MO vs Las Vegas NV — 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%
Las Vegas, NV
Nevada · Population: 650,873
- Median HH Income$70,723
- Median Home Price$426,069
- Unemployment7.2%
- Bachelor's+27.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
127,200
Las Vegas
650,873
Las Vegas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Las Vegas
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
29.2
Columbia +
Las Vegas
38.5
Foreign Born
Columbia
8.1%
Las Vegas
20.9%
Las Vegas +
White
Columbia
74.3%
Columbia +
Las Vegas
49.2%
Black
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Las Vegas
11.9%
Asian
Columbia
6.1%
Las Vegas
6.9%
Las Vegas +
Hispanic
Columbia
4.3%
Las Vegas
34.1%
Las Vegas +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Las Vegas
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,200 | 650,873 | Las Vegas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 38.5 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 8.1% | 20.9% | Las Vegas + |
| White | 74.3% | 49.2% | Columbia + |
| Black | 12.1% | 11.9% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 6.1% | 6.9% | Las Vegas + |
| Hispanic | 4.3% | 34.1% | Las Vegas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$64,488
Las Vegas
$70,723
Las Vegas +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$37,359
Las Vegas
$38,421
Las Vegas +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$58,527
Las Vegas
$62,696
Las Vegas +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
3.9%
Columbia +
Las Vegas
7.2%
Poverty Rate
Columbia
20.0%
Las Vegas
14.2%
Las Vegas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
56.5%
Columbia +
Las Vegas
27.3%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,488 | $70,723 | Las Vegas + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,359 | $38,421 | Las Vegas + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $62,696 | Las Vegas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 7.2% | Columbia + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.0% | 14.2% | Las Vegas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 56.5% | 27.3% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$323,876
Columbia +
Las Vegas
$426,069
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
49.4%
Las Vegas
55.7%
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $323,876 | $426,069 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.4% | 55.7% | Las Vegas + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
501
Las Vegas
460
Las Vegas +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
2418
Las Vegas
2417
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 460 | Las Vegas + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2417 | Las Vegas + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
30.1%
Columbia +
Las Vegas
32.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.5%
Columbia +
Las Vegas
12.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.1%
Columbia +
Las Vegas
19.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.4%
Columbia +
Las Vegas
17.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
18.5%
Las Vegas
15.4%
Las Vegas +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.4%
Columbia +
Las Vegas
15.6%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 32.4% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 12.5% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 19.5% | Columbia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 17.0% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 15.4% | Las Vegas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 15.6% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
56.0°F
Columbia +
Las Vegas
67.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Las Vegas
5.1 in
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.0°F | 67.4°F | Columbia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 5.1 in | Las Vegas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
9.3 µg/m³
Las Vegas
5.2 µg/m³
Las Vegas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
55.0%
Las Vegas
75.0%
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Las Vegas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Las Vegas + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.2 min
Columbia +
Las Vegas
27.7 min
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.2 min | 27.7 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Las Vegas leads in median household income at $70,723, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $323,876. On public safety, Las Vegas is safer with a violent crime rate of 460 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Columbia. Columbia has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Las Vegas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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