Columbia MO vs Warren MI — 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%
Warren, MI
Michigan · Population: 138,128
- Median HH Income$63,741
- Median Home Price$200,632
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+20.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
127,200
Warren
138,128
Warren +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Warren
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
29.2
Columbia +
Warren
37.9
Foreign Born
Columbia
8.1%
Warren
13.7%
Warren +
White
Columbia
74.3%
Columbia +
Warren
60.8%
Black
Columbia
12.1%
Warren
20.9%
Warren +
Asian
Columbia
6.1%
Warren
11.9%
Warren +
Hispanic
Columbia
4.3%
Columbia +
Warren
2.8%
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Warren
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Warren, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,200 | 138,128 | Warren + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 37.9 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 8.1% | 13.7% | Warren + |
| White | 74.3% | 60.8% | Columbia + |
| Black | 12.1% | 20.9% | Warren + |
| Asian | 6.1% | 11.9% | Warren + |
| Hispanic | 4.3% | 2.8% | Columbia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$64,488
Columbia +
Warren
$63,741
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$37,359
Columbia +
Warren
$32,162
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$58,527
Columbia +
Warren
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
3.9%
Columbia +
Warren
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Columbia
20.0%
Warren
12.8%
Warren +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
56.5%
Columbia +
Warren
20.4%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Warren, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,488 | $63,741 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,359 | $32,162 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $58,052 | Columbia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 7.4% | Columbia + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.0% | 12.8% | Warren + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 56.5% | 20.4% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$323,876
Warren
$200,632
Warren +
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
49.4%
Warren
71.0%
Warren +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Warren, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $323,876 | $200,632 | Warren + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.4% | 71.0% | Warren + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
501
Warren
471
Warren +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
2418
Warren
1590
Warren +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Warren, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 471 | Warren + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1590 | Warren + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
30.1%
Columbia +
Warren
39.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.5%
Columbia +
Warren
12.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.1%
Warren
18.9%
Warren +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.4%
Warren
8.1%
Warren +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
18.5%
Warren
15.7%
Warren +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.4%
Columbia +
Warren
18.0%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Warren, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 39.1% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 12.5% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 18.9% | Warren + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 8.1% | Warren + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 15.7% | Warren + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 18.0% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
56.0°F
Warren
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Warren
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Warren, MI | 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
Columbia +
Warren
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
55.0%
Warren
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Warren, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Columbia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.2 min
Columbia +
Warren
26.9 min
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Warren, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.2 min | 26.9 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbia leads in median household income at $64,488, while warren offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $200,632. On public safety, Warren is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Columbia. Columbia has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Columbia 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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