Columbia MO vs Pittsburgh PA — 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%
Pittsburgh, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 303,620
- Median HH Income$64,137
- Median Home Price$240,538
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+47.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
127,200
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pittsburgh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
29.2
Columbia +
Pittsburgh
33.5
Foreign Born
Columbia
8.1%
Pittsburgh
9.3%
Pittsburgh +
White
Columbia
74.3%
Columbia +
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Black
Columbia
12.1%
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Pittsburgh +
Asian
Columbia
6.1%
Columbia +
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Hispanic
Columbia
4.3%
Columbia +
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,200 | 303,620 | Pittsburgh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 33.5 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 8.1% | 9.3% | Pittsburgh + |
| White | 74.3% | 63.7% | Columbia + |
| Black | 12.1% | 22.5% | Pittsburgh + |
| Asian | 6.1% | 5.8% | Columbia + |
| Hispanic | 4.3% | 4.2% | Columbia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$64,488
Columbia +
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$37,359
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Pittsburgh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$58,527
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Pittsburgh +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
3.9%
Columbia +
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Columbia
20.0%
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Pittsburgh +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
56.5%
Columbia +
Pittsburgh
47.8%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,488 | $64,137 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,359 | $43,590 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $65,080 | Pittsburgh + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 5.9% | Columbia + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.0% | 19.5% | Pittsburgh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 56.5% | 47.8% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$323,876
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Pittsburgh +
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
49.4%
Columbia +
Pittsburgh
47.2%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $323,876 | $240,538 | Pittsburgh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.4% | 47.2% | Columbia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
501
Pittsburgh
319
Pittsburgh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
2418
Pittsburgh
1613
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 319 | Pittsburgh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1613 | Pittsburgh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
30.1%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.5%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.1%
Pittsburgh
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.4%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
18.5%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.4%
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.5% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
56.0°F
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Pittsburgh +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.0°F | 51.8°F | Pittsburgh + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 39.3 in | Pittsburgh + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
9.3 µg/m³
Columbia +
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
55.0%
Pittsburgh
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Columbia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.2 min
Columbia +
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.2 min | 25.0 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbia leads in median household income at $64,488, while pittsburgh offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $240,538. On public safety, Pittsburgh is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Columbia. Columbia has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Columbia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³).
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