Columbia MO vs Richmond VA — 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%
Richmond, VA
Virginia · Population: 227,595
- Median HH Income$62,671
- Median Home Price$374,265
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+44.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
127,200
Richmond
227,595
Richmond +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Richmond
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
29.2
Columbia +
Richmond
34.5
Foreign Born
Columbia
8.1%
Richmond
8.6%
Richmond +
White
Columbia
74.3%
Columbia +
Richmond
43.2%
Black
Columbia
12.1%
Richmond
42.0%
Richmond +
Asian
Columbia
6.1%
Columbia +
Richmond
2.1%
Hispanic
Columbia
4.3%
Richmond
10.3%
Richmond +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Richmond
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,200 | 227,595 | Richmond + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 34.5 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 8.1% | 8.6% | Richmond + |
| White | 74.3% | 43.2% | Columbia + |
| Black | 12.1% | 42.0% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 6.1% | 2.1% | Columbia + |
| Hispanic | 4.3% | 10.3% | Richmond + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$64,488
Columbia +
Richmond
$62,671
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$37,359
Richmond
$44,249
Richmond +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$58,527
Richmond
$69,581
Richmond +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
3.9%
Columbia +
Richmond
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Columbia
20.0%
Richmond
18.8%
Richmond +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
56.5%
Columbia +
Richmond
44.1%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,488 | $62,671 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,359 | $44,249 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $69,581 | Richmond + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 6.0% | Columbia + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.0% | 18.8% | Richmond + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 56.5% | 44.1% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$323,876
Columbia +
Richmond
$374,265
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
49.4%
Columbia +
Richmond
43.5%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $323,876 | $374,265 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.4% | 43.5% | Columbia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
501
Richmond
240
Richmond +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
2418
Richmond
1726
Richmond +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 240 | Richmond + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1726 | Richmond + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
30.1%
Columbia +
Richmond
36.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.5%
Columbia +
Richmond
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.1%
Richmond
18.8%
Richmond +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.4%
Columbia +
Richmond
10.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
18.5%
Richmond
16.2%
Richmond +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.4%
Columbia +
Richmond
13.9%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 36.7% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 12.3% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 18.8% | Richmond + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 10.7% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 16.2% | Richmond + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 13.9% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
56.0°F
Columbia +
Richmond
58.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Richmond
43.6 in
Richmond +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.0°F | 58.9°F | Columbia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 43.6 in | Richmond + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
9.3 µg/m³
Richmond
8.2 µg/m³
Richmond +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
55.0%
Richmond
75.0%
Richmond +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Richmond + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Richmond + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.2 min
Columbia +
Richmond
23.6 min
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.2 min | 23.6 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbia leads in median household income at $64,488, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $323,876. On public safety, Richmond is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Columbia. Columbia has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Richmond has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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