Columbia MO vs Providence RI — 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%
Providence, RI
Rhode Island · Population: 190,214
- Median HH Income$66,772
- Median Home Price$429,449
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+34.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
127,200
Providence
190,214
Providence +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Providence
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
29.2
Columbia +
Providence
32.9
Foreign Born
Columbia
8.1%
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
White
Columbia
74.3%
Columbia +
Providence
40.7%
Black
Columbia
12.1%
Providence
13.3%
Providence +
Asian
Columbia
6.1%
Columbia +
Providence
5.9%
Hispanic
Columbia
4.3%
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,200 | 190,214 | Providence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 32.9 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 8.1% | 32.8% | Providence + |
| White | 74.3% | 40.7% | Columbia + |
| Black | 12.1% | 13.3% | Providence + |
| Asian | 6.1% | 5.9% | Columbia + |
| Hispanic | 4.3% | 44.3% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$64,488
Providence
$66,772
Providence +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$37,359
Columbia +
Providence
$36,694
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$58,527
Providence
$64,538
Providence +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
3.9%
Columbia +
Providence
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Columbia
20.0%
Columbia +
Providence
20.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
56.5%
Columbia +
Providence
34.7%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,488 | $66,772 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,359 | $36,694 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $64,538 | Providence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 7.4% | Columbia + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.0% | 20.1% | Columbia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 56.5% | 34.7% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$323,876
Columbia +
Providence
$429,449
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
49.4%
Columbia +
Providence
41.2%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $323,876 | $429,449 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.4% | 41.2% | Columbia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
501
Providence
174
Providence +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
2418
Providence
1303
Providence +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 174 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1303 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
30.1%
Columbia +
Providence
34.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.5%
Columbia +
Providence
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.1%
Columbia +
Providence
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.4%
Columbia +
Providence
14.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
18.5%
Providence
16.7%
Providence +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.4%
Providence
12.1%
Providence +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 34.4% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 11.5% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 19.6% | Columbia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 14.6% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 16.7% | Providence + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 12.1% | Providence + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
56.0°F
Providence
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Providence, RI | 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
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
55.0%
Providence
75.0%
Providence +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Providence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Providence + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.2 min
Columbia +
Providence
27.4 min
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.2 min | 27.4 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Providence leads in median household income at $66,772, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $323,876. On public safety, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Columbia. Columbia has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Providence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
Compare More Cities
Columbia, MO vs New York, NYColumbia, MO vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Columbia, MOColumbia, MO vs Houston, TXColumbia, MO vs Phoenix, AZColumbia, MO vs Philadelphia, PA