Columbia MO vs Springfield MA — 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%
Springfield, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 154,751
- Median HH Income$51,339
- Median Home Price$298,985
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+19.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
127,200
Springfield
154,751
Springfield +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
29.2
Columbia +
Springfield
33.7
Foreign Born
Columbia
8.1%
Springfield
10.2%
Springfield +
White
Columbia
74.3%
Columbia +
Springfield
40.8%
Black
Columbia
12.1%
Springfield
20.0%
Springfield +
Asian
Columbia
6.1%
Columbia +
Springfield
2.8%
Hispanic
Columbia
4.3%
Springfield
47.4%
Springfield +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,200 | 154,751 | Springfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 33.7 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 8.1% | 10.2% | Springfield + |
| White | 74.3% | 40.8% | Columbia + |
| Black | 12.1% | 20.0% | Springfield + |
| Asian | 6.1% | 2.8% | Columbia + |
| Hispanic | 4.3% | 47.4% | Springfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$64,488
Columbia +
Springfield
$51,339
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$37,359
Columbia +
Springfield
$27,054
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$58,527
Springfield
$85,405
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
3.9%
Columbia +
Springfield
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Columbia
20.0%
Columbia +
Springfield
25.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
56.5%
Columbia +
Springfield
19.7%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,488 | $51,339 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,359 | $27,054 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $85,405 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 8.2% | Columbia + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.0% | 25.3% | Columbia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 56.5% | 19.7% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$323,876
Springfield
$298,985
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
49.4%
Springfield
49.5%
Springfield +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $323,876 | $298,985 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.4% | 49.5% | Springfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
501
Springfield
326
Springfield +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
2418
Springfield
1086
Springfield +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 326 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1086 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
30.1%
Columbia +
Springfield
39.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.5%
Columbia +
Springfield
14.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.1%
Columbia +
Springfield
21.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.4%
Columbia +
Springfield
13.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
18.5%
Springfield
15.1%
Springfield +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.4%
Columbia +
Springfield
17.5%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 39.6% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 14.8% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 21.1% | Columbia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 13.7% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 15.1% | Springfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 17.5% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
56.0°F
Springfield
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
9.3 µg/m³
Springfield
7.2 µg/m³
Springfield +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
55.0%
Springfield
75.0%
Springfield +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Springfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Springfield + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.2 min
Columbia +
Springfield
22.6 min
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.2 min | 22.6 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbia leads in median household income at $64,488, while springfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $298,985. On public safety, Springfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Columbia. Columbia has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Springfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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