Columbia MO vs Modesto 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%
Modesto, CA
California · Population: 218,614
- Median HH Income$77,899
- Median Home Price$447,353
- Unemployment7.3%
- Bachelor's+20.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
127,200
Modesto
218,614
Modesto +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Modesto
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
29.2
Columbia +
Modesto
35.4
Foreign Born
Columbia
8.1%
Modesto
18.7%
Modesto +
White
Columbia
74.3%
Columbia +
Modesto
50.8%
Black
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Modesto
4.7%
Asian
Columbia
6.1%
Modesto
7.4%
Modesto +
Hispanic
Columbia
4.3%
Modesto
43.9%
Modesto +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Modesto
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,200 | 218,614 | Modesto + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 35.4 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 8.1% | 18.7% | Modesto + |
| White | 74.3% | 50.8% | Columbia + |
| Black | 12.1% | 4.7% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 6.1% | 7.4% | Modesto + |
| Hispanic | 4.3% | 43.9% | Modesto + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$64,488
Modesto
$77,899
Modesto +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$37,359
Columbia +
Modesto
$34,656
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$58,527
Modesto
$77,230
Modesto +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
3.9%
Columbia +
Modesto
7.3%
Poverty Rate
Columbia
20.0%
Modesto
13.0%
Modesto +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
56.5%
Columbia +
Modesto
20.3%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,488 | $77,899 | Modesto + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,359 | $34,656 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $77,230 | Modesto + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 7.3% | Columbia + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.0% | 13.0% | Modesto + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 56.5% | 20.3% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$323,876
Columbia +
Modesto
$447,353
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
49.4%
Modesto
58.4%
Modesto +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $323,876 | $447,353 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.4% | 58.4% | Modesto + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
501
Columbia +
Modesto
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
2418
Modesto
2388
Modesto +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 503 | Columbia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2388 | Modesto + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
30.1%
Columbia +
Modesto
36.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.5%
Columbia +
Modesto
12.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.1%
Modesto
19.0%
Modesto +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.4%
Columbia +
Modesto
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
18.5%
Modesto
16.5%
Modesto +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.4%
Columbia +
Modesto
13.7%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 36.2% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 12.1% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 19.0% | Modesto + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 13.0% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 16.5% | Modesto + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 13.7% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
56.0°F
Columbia +
Modesto
63.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Modesto
13.1 in
Modesto +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.0°F | 63.7°F | Columbia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 13.1 in | Modesto + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
9.3 µg/m³
Modesto
7.9 µg/m³
Modesto +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
55.0%
Modesto
75.0%
Modesto +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Modesto + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Modesto + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.2 min
Columbia +
Modesto
30.5 min
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.2 min | 30.5 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Modesto leads in median household income at $77,899, 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 Modesto. Columbia has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Modesto 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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