Columbia MO vs Stamford CT — 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%
Stamford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 135,806
- Median HH Income$107,474
- Median Home Price$708,498
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
127,200
Stamford
135,806
Stamford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Stamford
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
29.2
Columbia +
Stamford
38.2
Foreign Born
Columbia
8.1%
Stamford
31.8%
Stamford +
White
Columbia
74.3%
Columbia +
Stamford
49.1%
Black
Columbia
12.1%
Stamford
19.9%
Stamford +
Asian
Columbia
6.1%
Stamford
7.1%
Stamford +
Hispanic
Columbia
4.3%
Stamford
28.1%
Stamford +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Stamford
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,200 | 135,806 | Stamford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 38.2 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 8.1% | 31.8% | Stamford + |
| White | 74.3% | 49.1% | Columbia + |
| Black | 12.1% | 19.9% | Stamford + |
| Asian | 6.1% | 7.1% | Stamford + |
| Hispanic | 4.3% | 28.1% | Stamford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$64,488
Stamford
$107,474
Stamford +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$37,359
Stamford
$64,382
Stamford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$58,527
Stamford
$85,393
Stamford +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
3.9%
Columbia +
Stamford
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Columbia
20.0%
Stamford
9.5%
Stamford +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
56.5%
Columbia +
Stamford
51.7%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,488 | $107,474 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,359 | $64,382 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $85,393 | Stamford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 4.9% | Columbia + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.0% | 9.5% | Stamford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 56.5% | 51.7% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$323,876
Columbia +
Stamford
$708,498
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
49.4%
Columbia +
Stamford
47.5%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $323,876 | $708,498 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.4% | 47.5% | Columbia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
501
Stamford
156
Stamford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
2418
Stamford
1524
Stamford +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 156 | Stamford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1524 | Stamford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
30.1%
Stamford
25.5%
Stamford +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.5%
Columbia +
Stamford
8.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.1%
Stamford
14.4%
Stamford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.4%
Columbia +
Stamford
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
18.5%
Stamford
16.4%
Stamford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.4%
Stamford
8.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 25.5% | Stamford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 8.6% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 14.4% | Stamford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 12.3% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 16.4% | Stamford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 8.7% | Stamford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
56.0°F
Stamford
52.3°F
Stamford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Columbia +
Stamford
53.2 in
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.0°F | 52.3°F | Stamford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 53.2 in | Columbia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
9.3 µg/m³
Stamford
7.7 µg/m³
Stamford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
55.0%
Stamford
75.0%
Stamford +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Stamford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Stamford + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.2 min
Columbia +
Stamford
30.1 min
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.2 min | 30.1 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Stamford leads in median household income at $107,474, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $323,876. On public safety, Stamford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Columbia. Columbia has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Stamford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Stamford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.5%.
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