Columbia MO vs Raleigh NC — 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%
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
127,200
Raleigh
470,763
Raleigh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
29.2
Columbia +
Raleigh
34.7
Foreign Born
Columbia
8.1%
Raleigh
13.6%
Raleigh +
White
Columbia
74.3%
Columbia +
Raleigh
53.8%
Black
Columbia
12.1%
Raleigh
27.5%
Raleigh +
Asian
Columbia
6.1%
Columbia +
Raleigh
4.7%
Hispanic
Columbia
4.3%
Raleigh
12.7%
Raleigh +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,200 | 470,763 | Raleigh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 34.7 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 8.1% | 13.6% | Raleigh + |
| White | 74.3% | 53.8% | Columbia + |
| Black | 12.1% | 27.5% | Raleigh + |
| Asian | 6.1% | 4.7% | Columbia + |
| Hispanic | 4.3% | 12.7% | Raleigh + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$64,488
Raleigh
$82,424
Raleigh +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$37,359
Raleigh
$49,948
Raleigh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$58,527
Raleigh
$59,120
Raleigh +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
3.9%
Columbia +
Raleigh
4.5%
Poverty Rate
Columbia
20.0%
Raleigh
11.4%
Raleigh +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
56.5%
Columbia +
Raleigh
52.9%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,488 | $82,424 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,359 | $49,948 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $59,120 | Raleigh + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 4.5% | Columbia + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.0% | 11.4% | Raleigh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 56.5% | 52.9% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$323,876
Columbia +
Raleigh
$435,807
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
49.4%
Raleigh
51.2%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $323,876 | $435,807 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.4% | 51.2% | Raleigh + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
501
Raleigh
398
Raleigh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
2418
Raleigh
1999
Raleigh +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 398 | Raleigh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1999 | Raleigh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
30.1%
Columbia +
Raleigh
30.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.5%
Columbia +
Raleigh
9.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.1%
Raleigh
16.6%
Raleigh +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.4%
Columbia +
Raleigh
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
18.5%
Raleigh
15.3%
Raleigh +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.4%
Raleigh
10.5%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 30.9% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 9.1% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 16.6% | Raleigh + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 9.7% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 15.3% | Raleigh + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 10.5% | Raleigh + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
56.0°F
Columbia +
Raleigh
61.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Raleigh
46.2 in
Raleigh +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.0°F | 61.1°F | Columbia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 46.2 in | Raleigh + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
9.3 µg/m³
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Raleigh +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
55.0%
Raleigh
75.0%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Raleigh + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Raleigh + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.2 min
Columbia +
Raleigh
25.1 min
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.2 min | 25.1 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Raleigh leads in median household income at $82,424, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $323,876. On public safety, Raleigh is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Columbia. Columbia has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Raleigh has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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