Columbia MO vs Rochester NY — 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%
Rochester, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
127,200
Rochester
209,720
Rochester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
29.2
Columbia +
Rochester
33.5
Foreign Born
Columbia
8.1%
Rochester
8.3%
Rochester +
White
Columbia
74.3%
Columbia +
Rochester
41.5%
Black
Columbia
12.1%
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
Asian
Columbia
6.1%
Columbia +
Rochester
3.2%
Hispanic
Columbia
4.3%
Rochester
20.0%
Rochester +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,200 | 209,720 | Rochester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 33.5 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 8.1% | 8.3% | Rochester + |
| White | 74.3% | 41.5% | Columbia + |
| Black | 12.1% | 37.5% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 6.1% | 3.2% | Columbia + |
| Hispanic | 4.3% | 20.0% | Rochester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$64,488
Columbia +
Rochester
$46,628
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$37,359
Columbia +
Rochester
$30,451
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$58,527
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
3.9%
Columbia +
Rochester
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Columbia
20.0%
Columbia +
Rochester
26.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
56.5%
Columbia +
Rochester
29.9%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,488 | $46,628 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,359 | $30,451 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $77,425 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 7.9% | Columbia + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.0% | 26.6% | Columbia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 56.5% | 29.9% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$323,876
Rochester
$241,627
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
49.4%
Columbia +
Rochester
37.2%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $323,876 | $241,627 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.4% | 37.2% | Columbia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
501
Rochester
434
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
2418
Rochester
1736
Rochester +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 434 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1736 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
30.1%
Columbia +
Rochester
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.5%
Columbia +
Rochester
14.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.1%
Rochester
18.8%
Rochester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.4%
Columbia +
Rochester
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
18.5%
Rochester
16.3%
Rochester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.4%
Columbia +
Rochester
16.6%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 38.0% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 14.3% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 18.8% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 10.9% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 16.3% | Rochester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 16.6% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
56.0°F
Rochester
48.2°F
Rochester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Rochester
34.3 in
Rochester +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.0°F | 48.2°F | Rochester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 34.3 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
9.3 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
55.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Rochester +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rochester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.2 min
Columbia +
Rochester
20.6 min
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.2 min | 20.6 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbia leads in median household income at $64,488, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,627. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Columbia. Columbia has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
Compare More Cities
Columbia, MO vs New York, NYColumbia, MO vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Columbia, MOColumbia, MO vs Houston, TXColumbia, MO vs Phoenix, AZColumbia, MO vs Philadelphia, PA