Columbia MO vs Renton WA — 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%
Renton, WA
Washington · Population: 75,721
- Median HH Income$162,099
- Median Home Price$765,686
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+74.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
127,200
Columbia +
Renton
75,721
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Renton
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
29.2
Columbia +
Renton
35.0
Foreign Born
Columbia
8.1%
Renton
44.4%
Renton +
White
Columbia
74.3%
Columbia +
Renton
48.7%
Black
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Renton
2.2%
Asian
Columbia
6.1%
Renton
39.2%
Renton +
Hispanic
Columbia
4.3%
Renton
6.8%
Renton +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Renton
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,200 | 75,721 | Columbia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 35.0 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 8.1% | 44.4% | Renton + |
| White | 74.3% | 48.7% | Columbia + |
| Black | 12.1% | 2.2% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 6.1% | 39.2% | Renton + |
| Hispanic | 4.3% | 6.8% | Renton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$64,488
Renton
$162,099
Renton +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$37,359
Renton
$89,026
Renton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$58,527
Renton
$76,120
Renton +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
3.9%
Columbia +
Renton
4.1%
Poverty Rate
Columbia
20.0%
Renton
5.8%
Renton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
56.5%
Renton
74.7%
Renton +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,488 | $162,099 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,359 | $89,026 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $76,120 | Renton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 4.1% | Columbia + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.0% | 5.8% | Renton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 56.5% | 74.7% | Renton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$323,876
Columbia +
Renton
$765,686
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
49.4%
Columbia +
Renton
45.2%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $323,876 | $765,686 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.4% | 45.2% | Columbia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
501
Renton
383
Renton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
2418
Columbia +
Renton
3409
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 383 | Renton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 3409 | Columbia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
30.1%
Renton
24.0%
Renton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.5%
Renton
8.5%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.1%
Renton
16.0%
Renton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.4%
Columbia +
Renton
9.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
18.5%
Renton
16.1%
Renton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.4%
Renton
8.9%
Renton +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 24.0% | Renton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 8.5% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 16.0% | Renton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 9.1% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 16.1% | Renton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 8.9% | Renton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
56.0°F
Renton
53.2°F
Renton +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Renton
40.1 in
Renton +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.0°F | 53.2°F | Renton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 40.1 in | Renton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
9.3 µg/m³
Renton
7.5 µg/m³
Renton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
55.0%
Renton
75.0%
Renton +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Renton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Renton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.2 min
Columbia +
Renton
25.4 min
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.2 min | 25.4 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Renton leads in median household income at $162,099, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $323,876. On public safety, Renton is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Columbia. Columbia has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Renton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Renton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.0%.
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