Columbia MO vs Overland Park KS — 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%
Overland Park, KS
Kansas · Population: 143,720
- Median HH Income$112,232
- Median Home Price$487,466
- Unemployment2.8%
- Bachelor's+49.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
127,200
Overland Park
143,720
Overland Park +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Overland Park
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
29.2
Columbia +
Overland Park
36.6
Foreign Born
Columbia
8.1%
Overland Park
10.7%
Overland Park +
White
Columbia
74.3%
Overland Park
78.6%
Overland Park +
Black
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Overland Park
4.9%
Asian
Columbia
6.1%
Columbia +
Overland Park
4.2%
Hispanic
Columbia
4.3%
Overland Park
12.6%
Overland Park +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Overland Park
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,200 | 143,720 | Overland Park + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 36.6 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 8.1% | 10.7% | Overland Park + |
| White | 74.3% | 78.6% | Overland Park + |
| Black | 12.1% | 4.9% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 6.1% | 4.2% | Columbia + |
| Hispanic | 4.3% | 12.6% | Overland Park + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$64,488
Overland Park
$112,232
Overland Park +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$37,359
Overland Park
$48,655
Overland Park +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$58,527
Overland Park
$61,860
Overland Park +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
3.9%
Overland Park
2.8%
Overland Park +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
20.0%
Overland Park
5.6%
Overland Park +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
56.5%
Columbia +
Overland Park
49.4%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,488 | $112,232 | Overland Park + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,359 | $48,655 | Overland Park + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $61,860 | Overland Park + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 2.8% | Overland Park + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.0% | 5.6% | Overland Park + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 56.5% | 49.4% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$323,876
Columbia +
Overland Park
$487,466
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
49.4%
Overland Park
73.7%
Overland Park +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $323,876 | $487,466 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.4% | 73.7% | Overland Park + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
501
Overland Park
449
Overland Park +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
2418
Overland Park
2174
Overland Park +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 449 | Overland Park + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2174 | Overland Park + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
30.1%
Overland Park
30.0%
Overland Park +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.5%
Columbia +
Overland Park
9.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.1%
Overland Park
12.8%
Overland Park +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.4%
Overland Park
6.2%
Overland Park +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
18.5%
Overland Park
16.9%
Overland Park +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.4%
Overland Park
9.0%
Overland Park +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 30.0% | Overland Park + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 9.2% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 12.8% | Overland Park + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 6.2% | Overland Park + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 16.9% | Overland Park + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 9.0% | Overland Park + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
56.0°F
Overland Park
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Overland Park
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Overland Park, KS | 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
Overland Park
8.2 µg/m³
Overland Park +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
55.0%
Overland Park
75.0%
Overland Park +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Overland Park + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Overland Park + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.2 min
Columbia +
Overland Park
22.4 min
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.2 min | 22.4 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Overland Park leads in median household income at $112,232, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $323,876. On public safety, Overland Park is safer with a violent crime rate of 449 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Columbia. Overland Park has a lower unemployment rate at 2.8%, and Overland Park has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Overland Park scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.0%.
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