Columbia MO vs Springfield MO — 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, MO
Missouri · Population: 169,432
- Median HH Income$45,984
- Median Home Price$245,279
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+30.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
127,200
Springfield
169,432
Springfield +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
29.2
Columbia +
Springfield
33.6
Foreign Born
Columbia
8.1%
Columbia +
Springfield
3.8%
White
Columbia
74.3%
Springfield
85.2%
Springfield +
Black
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Springfield
4.3%
Asian
Columbia
6.1%
Columbia +
Springfield
1.7%
Hispanic
Columbia
4.3%
Springfield
5.6%
Springfield +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,200 | 169,432 | Springfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 33.6 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 8.1% | 3.8% | Columbia + |
| White | 74.3% | 85.2% | Springfield + |
| Black | 12.1% | 4.3% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 6.1% | 1.7% | Columbia + |
| Hispanic | 4.3% | 5.6% | Springfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$64,488
Columbia +
Springfield
$45,984
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$37,359
Columbia +
Springfield
$30,864
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$58,527
Springfield
$58,527
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
3.9%
Columbia +
Springfield
4.3%
Poverty Rate
Columbia
20.0%
Springfield
19.4%
Springfield +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
56.5%
Columbia +
Springfield
30.3%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,488 | $45,984 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,359 | $30,864 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $58,527 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 4.3% | Columbia + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.0% | 19.4% | Springfield + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 56.5% | 30.3% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$323,876
Springfield
$245,279
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
49.4%
Columbia +
Springfield
42.9%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $323,876 | $245,279 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.4% | 42.9% | Columbia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
501
Springfield
501
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
2418
Springfield
2418
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 501 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2418 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
30.1%
Columbia +
Springfield
37.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.5%
Columbia +
Springfield
11.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.1%
Columbia +
Springfield
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.4%
Columbia +
Springfield
10.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
18.5%
Springfield
15.6%
Springfield +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.4%
Columbia +
Springfield
17.1%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 37.7% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 11.1% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 20.0% | Columbia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 10.0% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 15.6% | Springfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 17.1% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
56.0°F
Columbia +
Springfield
56.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Springfield
45.6 in
Springfield +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.0°F | 56.3°F | Columbia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 45.6 in | Springfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
9.3 µg/m³
Springfield
9.3 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
55.0%
Springfield
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.2 min
Columbia +
Springfield
19.5 min
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.2 min | 19.5 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 $245,279. On public safety, Springfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 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 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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