Columbia MO vs Westland 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%
Westland, MI
Michigan · Population: 84,155
- Median HH Income$62,216
- Median Home Price$215,089
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+21.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
127,200
Columbia +
Westland
84,155
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Westland
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
29.2
Columbia +
Westland
38.2
Foreign Born
Columbia
8.1%
Westland
9.2%
Westland +
White
Columbia
74.3%
Columbia +
Westland
63.7%
Black
Columbia
12.1%
Westland
22.6%
Westland +
Asian
Columbia
6.1%
Columbia +
Westland
3.8%
Hispanic
Columbia
4.3%
Westland
5.0%
Westland +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Westland
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,200 | 84,155 | Columbia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 38.2 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 8.1% | 9.2% | Westland + |
| White | 74.3% | 63.7% | Columbia + |
| Black | 12.1% | 22.6% | Westland + |
| Asian | 6.1% | 3.8% | Columbia + |
| Hispanic | 4.3% | 5.0% | Westland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$64,488
Columbia +
Westland
$62,216
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$37,359
Columbia +
Westland
$33,816
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$58,527
Columbia +
Westland
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
3.9%
Columbia +
Westland
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Columbia
20.0%
Westland
13.3%
Westland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
56.5%
Columbia +
Westland
21.7%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,488 | $62,216 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,359 | $33,816 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $58,052 | Columbia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 5.3% | Columbia + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.0% | 13.3% | Westland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 56.5% | 21.7% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$323,876
Westland
$215,089
Westland +
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
49.4%
Westland
61.1%
Westland +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $323,876 | $215,089 | Westland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.4% | 61.1% | Westland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
501
Westland
471
Westland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
2418
Westland
1590
Westland +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 471 | Westland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1590 | Westland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
30.1%
Columbia +
Westland
34.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.5%
Columbia +
Westland
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.1%
Columbia +
Westland
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.4%
Westland
7.3%
Westland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
18.5%
Westland
15.6%
Westland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.4%
Columbia +
Westland
16.6%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 34.7% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 12.3% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 20.0% | Columbia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 7.3% | Westland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 15.6% | Westland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 16.6% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
56.0°F
Westland
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Westland
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Westland, 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 +
Westland
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
55.0%
Westland
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Westland, 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 +
Westland
27.0 min
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.2 min | 27.0 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbia leads in median household income at $64,488, while westland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,089. On public safety, Westland 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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