Columbia MO vs Lexington KY — 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%
Lexington, KY
Kentucky · Population: 321,122
- Median HH Income$67,631
- Median Home Price$332,727
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+47.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
127,200
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Lexington
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
29.2
Columbia +
Lexington
35.2
Foreign Born
Columbia
8.1%
Lexington
11.0%
Lexington +
White
Columbia
74.3%
Columbia +
Lexington
69.9%
Black
Columbia
12.1%
Lexington
14.4%
Lexington +
Asian
Columbia
6.1%
Columbia +
Lexington
4.2%
Hispanic
Columbia
4.3%
Lexington
9.2%
Lexington +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,200 | 321,122 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 35.2 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 8.1% | 11.0% | Lexington + |
| White | 74.3% | 69.9% | Columbia + |
| Black | 12.1% | 14.4% | Lexington + |
| Asian | 6.1% | 4.2% | Columbia + |
| Hispanic | 4.3% | 9.2% | Lexington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$64,488
Lexington
$67,631
Lexington +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$37,359
Lexington
$42,272
Lexington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$58,527
Columbia +
Lexington
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
3.9%
Columbia +
Lexington
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Columbia
20.0%
Lexington
15.7%
Lexington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
56.5%
Columbia +
Lexington
47.3%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,488 | $67,631 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,359 | $42,272 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $52,606 | Columbia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 5.0% | Columbia + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.0% | 15.7% | Lexington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 56.5% | 47.3% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$323,876
Columbia +
Lexington
$332,727
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
49.4%
Lexington
53.6%
Lexington +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $323,876 | $332,727 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.4% | 53.6% | Lexington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
501
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
2418
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 223 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1505 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
30.1%
Lexington
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.5%
Lexington
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.1%
Lexington
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.4%
Lexington
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
18.5%
Lexington
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.4%
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.5% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
56.0°F
Lexington
55.6°F
Lexington +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Lexington
45.2 in
Lexington +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.0°F | 55.6°F | Lexington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 45.2 in | Lexington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
9.3 µg/m³
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Lexington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
55.0%
Lexington
75.0%
Lexington +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Lexington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lexington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.2 min
Columbia +
Lexington
22.5 min
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.2 min | 22.5 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lexington leads in median household income at $67,631, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $323,876. On public safety, Lexington is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Columbia. Columbia has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Lexington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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