Columbia MO vs Roanoke 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%
Roanoke, VA
Virginia · Population: 98,677
- Median HH Income$52,671
- Median Home Price$279,668
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
127,200
Columbia +
Roanoke
98,677
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
29.2
Columbia +
Roanoke
38.0
Foreign Born
Columbia
8.1%
Columbia +
Roanoke
7.5%
White
Columbia
74.3%
Columbia +
Roanoke
57.5%
Black
Columbia
12.1%
Roanoke
29.0%
Roanoke +
Asian
Columbia
6.1%
Columbia +
Roanoke
3.1%
Hispanic
Columbia
4.3%
Roanoke
8.6%
Roanoke +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,200 | 98,677 | Columbia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 38.0 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 8.1% | 7.5% | Columbia + |
| White | 74.3% | 57.5% | Columbia + |
| Black | 12.1% | 29.0% | Roanoke + |
| Asian | 6.1% | 3.1% | Columbia + |
| Hispanic | 4.3% | 8.6% | Roanoke + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$64,488
Columbia +
Roanoke
$52,671
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$37,359
Columbia +
Roanoke
$34,792
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$58,527
Roanoke
$69,581
Roanoke +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
3.9%
Columbia +
Roanoke
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Columbia
20.0%
Roanoke
19.7%
Roanoke +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
56.5%
Columbia +
Roanoke
28.9%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,488 | $52,671 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,359 | $34,792 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $69,581 | Roanoke + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 5.5% | Columbia + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.0% | 19.7% | Roanoke + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 56.5% | 28.9% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$323,876
Roanoke
$279,668
Roanoke +
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
49.4%
Roanoke
51.7%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $323,876 | $279,668 | Roanoke + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.4% | 51.7% | Roanoke + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
501
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
2418
Roanoke
1726
Roanoke +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 240 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1726 | Roanoke + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
30.1%
Columbia +
Roanoke
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.5%
Columbia +
Roanoke
14.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.1%
Roanoke
18.4%
Roanoke +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.4%
Columbia +
Roanoke
11.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
18.5%
Roanoke
14.7%
Roanoke +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.4%
Columbia +
Roanoke
16.7%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 41.9% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 14.9% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 18.4% | Roanoke + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 11.0% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 14.7% | Roanoke + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 16.7% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
56.0°F
Roanoke
56.0°F
Tie
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Roanoke
44.5 in
Roanoke +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.0°F | 56.0°F | Tie |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 44.5 in | Roanoke + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
9.3 µg/m³
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Roanoke +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
55.0%
Roanoke
75.0%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Roanoke + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Roanoke + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.2 min
Columbia +
Roanoke
21.6 min
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.2 min | 21.6 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbia leads in median household income at $64,488, while roanoke offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,668. On public safety, Roanoke 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 Roanoke 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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