Columbia MO vs Pueblo CO — 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%
Pueblo, CO
Colorado · Population: 111,514
- Median HH Income$55,305
- Median Home Price$286,326
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+22.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
127,200
Columbia +
Pueblo
111,514
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Pueblo
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
29.2
Columbia +
Pueblo
38.1
Foreign Born
Columbia
8.1%
Columbia +
Pueblo
4.0%
White
Columbia
74.3%
Columbia +
Pueblo
70.3%
Black
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Pueblo
2.7%
Asian
Columbia
6.1%
Columbia +
Pueblo
0.8%
Hispanic
Columbia
4.3%
Pueblo
48.4%
Pueblo +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Pueblo
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,200 | 111,514 | Columbia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 38.1 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 8.1% | 4.0% | Columbia + |
| White | 74.3% | 70.3% | Columbia + |
| Black | 12.1% | 2.7% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 6.1% | 0.8% | Columbia + |
| Hispanic | 4.3% | 48.4% | Pueblo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$64,488
Columbia +
Pueblo
$55,305
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$37,359
Columbia +
Pueblo
$30,949
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$58,527
Pueblo
$76,653
Pueblo +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
3.9%
Columbia +
Pueblo
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Columbia
20.0%
Pueblo
19.2%
Pueblo +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
56.5%
Columbia +
Pueblo
22.8%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,488 | $55,305 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,359 | $30,949 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $76,653 | Pueblo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 5.9% | Columbia + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.0% | 19.2% | Pueblo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 56.5% | 22.8% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$323,876
Pueblo
$286,326
Pueblo +
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
49.4%
Pueblo
60.8%
Pueblo +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $323,876 | $286,326 | Pueblo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.4% | 60.8% | Pueblo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
501
Columbia +
Pueblo
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
2418
Columbia +
Pueblo
3234
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 512 | Columbia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 3234 | Columbia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
30.1%
Columbia +
Pueblo
33.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.5%
Columbia +
Pueblo
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.1%
Pueblo
18.0%
Pueblo +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.4%
Columbia +
Pueblo
18.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
18.5%
Pueblo
15.6%
Pueblo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.4%
Columbia +
Pueblo
15.1%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 33.5% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 13.5% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 18.0% | Pueblo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 18.9% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 15.6% | Pueblo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 15.1% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
56.0°F
Pueblo
53.7°F
Pueblo +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Pueblo
13.0 in
Pueblo +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.0°F | 53.7°F | Pueblo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 13.0 in | Pueblo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
9.3 µg/m³
Pueblo
6.2 µg/m³
Pueblo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
55.0%
Pueblo
75.0%
Pueblo +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Pueblo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Pueblo + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.2 min
Columbia +
Pueblo
21.1 min
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.2 min | 21.1 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbia leads in median household income at $64,488, while pueblo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $286,326. On public safety, Columbia is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Pueblo. Columbia has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Pueblo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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