Columbia MO vs Virginia Beach 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
127,200
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
29.2
Columbia +
Virginia Beach
37.4
Foreign Born
Columbia
8.1%
Virginia Beach
9.1%
Virginia Beach +
White
Columbia
74.3%
Columbia +
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Black
Columbia
12.1%
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Virginia Beach +
Asian
Columbia
6.1%
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Virginia Beach +
Hispanic
Columbia
4.3%
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Virginia Beach +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,200 | 457,066 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 37.4 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 8.1% | 9.1% | Virginia Beach + |
| White | 74.3% | 61.6% | Columbia + |
| Black | 12.1% | 18.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Asian | 6.1% | 7.2% | Virginia Beach + |
| Hispanic | 4.3% | 8.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$64,488
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$37,359
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$58,527
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Virginia Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
3.9%
Columbia +
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Poverty Rate
Columbia
20.0%
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
56.5%
Columbia +
Virginia Beach
40.4%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,488 | $90,685 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,359 | $47,372 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $69,581 | Virginia Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 4.3% | Columbia + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.0% | 8.4% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 56.5% | 40.4% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$323,876
Columbia +
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
49.4%
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $323,876 | $427,121 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.4% | 64.9% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
501
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
2418
Virginia Beach
1726
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 240 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1726 | Virginia Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
30.1%
Columbia +
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.5%
Columbia +
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.1%
Virginia Beach
16.7%
Virginia Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.4%
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
18.5%
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Virginia Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.4%
Virginia Beach
12.1%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 36.5% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 11.8% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 16.7% | Virginia Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 8.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 15.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 12.1% | Virginia Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
56.0°F
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Virginia Beach, VA | 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
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Virginia Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
55.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Virginia Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Virginia Beach + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.2 min
Columbia +
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.2 min | 25.0 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Virginia Beach leads in median household income at $90,685, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $323,876. On public safety, Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach 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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