Columbia MO vs Minneapolis MN — 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%
Minneapolis, MN
Minnesota · Population: 426,845
- Median HH Income$80,269
- Median Home Price$334,719
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+54.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
127,200
Minneapolis
426,845
Minneapolis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Minneapolis
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
29.2
Columbia +
Minneapolis
33.0
Foreign Born
Columbia
8.1%
Minneapolis
14.1%
Minneapolis +
White
Columbia
74.3%
Columbia +
Minneapolis
61.6%
Black
Columbia
12.1%
Minneapolis
18.3%
Minneapolis +
Asian
Columbia
6.1%
Columbia +
Minneapolis
5.2%
Hispanic
Columbia
4.3%
Minneapolis
10.5%
Minneapolis +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Minneapolis
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,200 | 426,845 | Minneapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 33.0 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 8.1% | 14.1% | Minneapolis + |
| White | 74.3% | 61.6% | Columbia + |
| Black | 12.1% | 18.3% | Minneapolis + |
| Asian | 6.1% | 5.2% | Columbia + |
| Hispanic | 4.3% | 10.5% | Minneapolis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$64,488
Minneapolis
$80,269
Minneapolis +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$37,359
Minneapolis
$50,605
Minneapolis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$58,527
Minneapolis
$69,467
Minneapolis +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
3.9%
Columbia +
Minneapolis
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Columbia
20.0%
Minneapolis
16.4%
Minneapolis +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
56.5%
Columbia +
Minneapolis
54.4%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,488 | $80,269 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,359 | $50,605 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $69,467 | Minneapolis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 5.7% | Columbia + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.0% | 16.4% | Minneapolis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 56.5% | 54.4% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$323,876
Columbia +
Minneapolis
$334,719
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
49.4%
Columbia +
Minneapolis
48.0%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $323,876 | $334,719 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.4% | 48.0% | Columbia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
501
Minneapolis
284
Minneapolis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
2418
Minneapolis
1992
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 284 | Minneapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1992 | Minneapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
30.1%
Minneapolis
28.6%
Minneapolis +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.5%
Minneapolis
7.4%
Minneapolis +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.1%
Minneapolis
17.1%
Minneapolis +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.4%
Columbia +
Minneapolis
9.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
18.5%
Columbia +
Minneapolis
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.4%
Columbia +
Minneapolis
12.7%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 28.6% | Minneapolis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 7.4% | Minneapolis + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 17.1% | Minneapolis + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 9.9% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 19.8% | Columbia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 12.7% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
56.0°F
Minneapolis
46.3°F
Minneapolis +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Minneapolis
30.6 in
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.0°F | 46.3°F | Minneapolis + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 30.6 in | Minneapolis + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
9.3 µg/m³
Minneapolis
8.1 µg/m³
Minneapolis +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
55.0%
Minneapolis
75.0%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Minneapolis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Minneapolis + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.2 min
Columbia +
Minneapolis
24.2 min
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.2 min | 24.2 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Minneapolis leads in median household income at $80,269, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $323,876. On public safety, Minneapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Columbia. Columbia has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Minneapolis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Minneapolis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.6%.
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