Columbia MO vs Portland ME — 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%
Portland, ME
Maine · Population: 68,505
- Median HH Income$76,174
- Median Home Price$561,069
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
127,200
Columbia +
Portland
68,505
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
29.2
Columbia +
Portland
37.5
Foreign Born
Columbia
8.1%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
White
Columbia
74.3%
Portland
80.1%
Portland +
Black
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Portland
9.0%
Asian
Columbia
6.1%
Columbia +
Portland
3.2%
Hispanic
Columbia
4.3%
Columbia +
Portland
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,200 | 68,505 | Columbia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 37.5 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 8.1% | 11.1% | Portland + |
| White | 74.3% | 80.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 12.1% | 9.0% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 6.1% | 3.2% | Columbia + |
| Hispanic | 4.3% | 3.1% | Columbia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$64,488
Portland
$76,174
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$37,359
Portland
$52,125
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$58,527
Portland
$61,587
Portland +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
3.9%
Columbia +
Portland
4.4%
Poverty Rate
Columbia
20.0%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
56.5%
Portland
59.2%
Portland +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,488 | $76,174 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,359 | $52,125 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $61,587 | Portland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 4.4% | Columbia + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.0% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 56.5% | 59.2% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$323,876
Columbia +
Portland
$561,069
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
49.4%
Columbia +
Portland
46.7%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $323,876 | $561,069 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.4% | 46.7% | Columbia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
501
Portland
106
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
2418
Portland
1234
Portland +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 106 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1234 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
30.1%
Portland
27.7%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.5%
Portland
8.3%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.1%
Portland
17.8%
Portland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.4%
Portland
7.2%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
18.5%
Portland
18.3%
Portland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.4%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 27.7% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 8.3% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 17.8% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 7.2% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 18.3% | Portland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 11.1% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
56.0°F
Portland
46.5°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Columbia +
Portland
47.3 in
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.0°F | 46.5°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 47.3 in | Columbia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
9.3 µg/m³
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
55.0%
Portland
75.0%
Portland +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Portland + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.2 min
Columbia +
Portland
21.4 min
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.2 min | 21.4 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $76,174, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $323,876. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Columbia. Columbia has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Portland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.7%.
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