Columbia MO vs Miami Gardens FL — 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%
Miami Gardens, FL
Florida · Population: 11,627
- Median HH Income$137,873
- Median Home Price$472,888
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+64.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
127,200
Columbia +
Miami Gardens
11,627
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Miami Gardens
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
29.2
Columbia +
Miami Gardens
37.7
Foreign Born
Columbia
8.1%
Miami Gardens
29.1%
Miami Gardens +
White
Columbia
74.3%
Columbia +
Miami Gardens
52.5%
Black
Columbia
12.1%
Miami Gardens
15.3%
Miami Gardens +
Asian
Columbia
6.1%
Columbia +
Miami Gardens
3.5%
Hispanic
Columbia
4.3%
Miami Gardens
34.0%
Miami Gardens +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Miami Gardens
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,200 | 11,627 | Columbia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 37.7 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 8.1% | 29.1% | Miami Gardens + |
| White | 74.3% | 52.5% | Columbia + |
| Black | 12.1% | 15.3% | Miami Gardens + |
| Asian | 6.1% | 3.5% | Columbia + |
| Hispanic | 4.3% | 34.0% | Miami Gardens + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$64,488
Miami Gardens
$137,873
Miami Gardens +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$37,359
Miami Gardens
$57,003
Miami Gardens +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$58,527
Miami Gardens
$65,328
Miami Gardens +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
3.9%
Columbia +
Miami Gardens
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Columbia
20.0%
Miami Gardens
7.9%
Miami Gardens +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
56.5%
Miami Gardens
64.7%
Miami Gardens +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,488 | $137,873 | Miami Gardens + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,359 | $57,003 | Miami Gardens + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $65,328 | Miami Gardens + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 6.5% | Columbia + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.0% | 7.9% | Miami Gardens + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 56.5% | 64.7% | Miami Gardens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$323,876
Columbia +
Miami Gardens
$472,888
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
49.4%
Miami Gardens
86.7%
Miami Gardens +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $323,876 | $472,888 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.4% | 86.7% | Miami Gardens + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
501
Miami Gardens
324
Miami Gardens +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
2418
Miami Gardens
1453
Miami Gardens +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 324 | Miami Gardens + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1453 | Miami Gardens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
30.1%
Columbia +
Miami Gardens
34.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.5%
Columbia +
Miami Gardens
17.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.1%
Miami Gardens
17.5%
Miami Gardens +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.4%
Columbia +
Miami Gardens
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
18.5%
Miami Gardens
12.7%
Miami Gardens +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.4%
Columbia +
Miami Gardens
15.4%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 34.3% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 17.3% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 17.5% | Miami Gardens + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 22.4% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 12.7% | Miami Gardens + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 15.4% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
56.0°F
Miami Gardens
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Miami Gardens
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Miami Gardens, FL | 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
Miami Gardens
7.2 µg/m³
Miami Gardens +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
55.0%
Miami Gardens
75.0%
Miami Gardens +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Miami Gardens + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Miami Gardens + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.2 min
Columbia +
Miami Gardens
29.2 min
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.2 min | 29.2 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Miami Gardens leads in median household income at $137,873, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $323,876. On public safety, Miami Gardens is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Columbia. Columbia has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Miami Gardens has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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