Columbia MO vs Peoria AZ — 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%
Peoria, AZ
Arizona · Population: 194,338
- Median HH Income$93,403
- Median Home Price$488,428
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+35.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
127,200
Peoria
194,338
Peoria +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Peoria
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
29.2
Columbia +
Peoria
42.1
Foreign Born
Columbia
8.1%
Peoria
11.3%
Peoria +
White
Columbia
74.3%
Columbia +
Peoria
72.6%
Black
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Peoria
3.4%
Asian
Columbia
6.1%
Columbia +
Peoria
5.8%
Hispanic
Columbia
4.3%
Peoria
19.7%
Peoria +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Peoria
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,200 | 194,338 | Peoria + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 42.1 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 8.1% | 11.3% | Peoria + |
| White | 74.3% | 72.6% | Columbia + |
| Black | 12.1% | 3.4% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 6.1% | 5.8% | Columbia + |
| Hispanic | 4.3% | 19.7% | Peoria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$64,488
Peoria
$93,403
Peoria +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$37,359
Peoria
$45,831
Peoria +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$58,527
Peoria
$59,120
Peoria +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
3.9%
Peoria
3.5%
Peoria +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
20.0%
Peoria
8.4%
Peoria +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
56.5%
Columbia +
Peoria
35.5%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,488 | $93,403 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,359 | $45,831 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $59,120 | Peoria + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 3.5% | Peoria + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.0% | 8.4% | Peoria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 56.5% | 35.5% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$323,876
Columbia +
Peoria
$488,428
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
49.4%
Peoria
75.5%
Peoria +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $323,876 | $488,428 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.4% | 75.5% | Peoria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
501
Peoria
450
Peoria +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
2418
Peoria
2150
Peoria +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 450 | Peoria + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2150 | Peoria + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
30.1%
Peoria
29.5%
Peoria +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.5%
Columbia +
Peoria
10.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.1%
Peoria
14.5%
Peoria +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.4%
Columbia +
Peoria
10.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
18.5%
Peoria
15.7%
Peoria +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.4%
Peoria
10.6%
Peoria +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 29.5% | Peoria + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 10.5% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 14.5% | Peoria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 10.3% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 15.7% | Peoria + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 10.6% | Peoria + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
56.0°F
Peoria
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Peoria
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Peoria, AZ | 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
Peoria
7.1 µg/m³
Peoria +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
55.0%
Peoria
75.0%
Peoria +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Peoria + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Peoria + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.2 min
Columbia +
Peoria
31.2 min
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.2 min | 31.2 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Peoria leads in median household income at $93,403, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $323,876. On public safety, Peoria is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Columbia. Peoria has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Peoria has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Peoria scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.5%.
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