Columbia MO vs Orem UT — 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%
Orem, UT
Utah · Population: 86,973
- Median HH Income$70,053
- Median Home Price$509,396
- Unemployment4.0%
- Bachelor's+25.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
127,200
Columbia +
Orem
86,973
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Orem
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
29.2
Columbia +
Orem
33.3
Foreign Born
Columbia
8.1%
Orem
10.5%
Orem +
White
Columbia
74.3%
Orem
77.1%
Orem +
Black
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Orem
1.9%
Asian
Columbia
6.1%
Columbia +
Orem
1.6%
Hispanic
Columbia
4.3%
Orem
30.6%
Orem +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Orem
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,200 | 86,973 | Columbia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 33.3 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 8.1% | 10.5% | Orem + |
| White | 74.3% | 77.1% | Orem + |
| Black | 12.1% | 1.9% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 6.1% | 1.6% | Columbia + |
| Hispanic | 4.3% | 30.6% | Orem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$64,488
Orem
$70,053
Orem +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$37,359
Columbia +
Orem
$33,579
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$58,527
Orem
$60,713
Orem +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
3.9%
Columbia +
Orem
4.0%
Poverty Rate
Columbia
20.0%
Orem
12.7%
Orem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
56.5%
Columbia +
Orem
25.6%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,488 | $70,053 | Orem + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,359 | $33,579 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $60,713 | Orem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 4.0% | Columbia + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.0% | 12.7% | Orem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 56.5% | 25.6% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$323,876
Columbia +
Orem
$509,396
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
49.4%
Orem
60.9%
Orem +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $323,876 | $509,396 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.4% | 60.9% | Orem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
501
Orem
245
Orem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
2418
Orem
1931
Orem +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 245 | Orem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1931 | Orem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
30.1%
Columbia +
Orem
30.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.5%
Orem
7.7%
Orem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.1%
Orem
17.1%
Orem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.4%
Columbia +
Orem
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
18.5%
Orem
8.6%
Orem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.4%
Orem
6.5%
Orem +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 30.3% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 7.7% | Orem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 17.1% | Orem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 11.5% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 8.6% | Orem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 6.5% | Orem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
56.0°F
Orem
52.5°F
Orem +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Orem
13.3 in
Orem +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.0°F | 52.5°F | Orem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 13.3 in | Orem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
9.3 µg/m³
Orem
7.0 µg/m³
Orem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
55.0%
Orem
75.0%
Orem +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Orem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Orem + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.2 min
Columbia +
Orem
24.5 min
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.2 min | 24.5 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Orem leads in median household income at $70,053, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $323,876. On public safety, Orem is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Columbia. Columbia has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Orem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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