Columbia MO vs Newark NJ — 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%
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
127,200
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Newark
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
29.2
Columbia +
Newark
34.8
Foreign Born
Columbia
8.1%
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
White
Columbia
74.3%
Columbia +
Newark
16.5%
Black
Columbia
12.1%
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Asian
Columbia
6.1%
Columbia +
Newark
1.9%
Hispanic
Columbia
4.3%
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Newark
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,200 | 307,188 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 34.8 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 8.1% | 34.9% | Newark + |
| White | 74.3% | 16.5% | Columbia + |
| Black | 12.1% | 46.7% | Newark + |
| Asian | 6.1% | 1.9% | Columbia + |
| Hispanic | 4.3% | 37.2% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$64,488
Columbia +
Newark
$48,416
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$37,359
Columbia +
Newark
$25,509
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$58,527
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
3.9%
Columbia +
Newark
10.9%
Poverty Rate
Columbia
20.0%
Columbia +
Newark
24.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
56.5%
Columbia +
Newark
17.4%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,488 | $48,416 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,359 | $25,509 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $77,416 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 10.9% | Columbia + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.0% | 24.7% | Columbia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 56.5% | 17.4% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$323,876
Columbia +
Newark
$482,675
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
49.4%
Columbia +
Newark
24.1%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $323,876 | $482,675 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.4% | 24.1% | Columbia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
501
Newark
218
Newark +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
2418
Newark
1426
Newark +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 218 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1426 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
30.1%
Columbia +
Newark
35.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.5%
Columbia +
Newark
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.1%
Columbia +
Newark
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.4%
Columbia +
Newark
23.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
18.5%
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.4%
Columbia +
Newark
18.2%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 35.9% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 14.6% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 20.0% | Columbia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 23.4% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 14.3% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 18.2% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
56.0°F
Newark
54.9°F
Newark +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Newark
46.3 in
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.0°F | 54.9°F | Newark + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 46.3 in | Tie |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
9.3 µg/m³
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Newark +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
55.0%
Newark
75.0%
Newark +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Newark + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Newark + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.2 min
Columbia +
Newark
35.9 min
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.2 min | 35.9 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbia leads in median household income at $64,488, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $323,876. On public safety, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Columbia. Columbia has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Newark has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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