Columbia MO vs Yonkers NY — 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%
Yonkers, NY
New York · Population: 209,529
- Median HH Income$81,816
- Median Home Price$685,544
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+35.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
127,200
Yonkers
209,529
Yonkers +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Yonkers
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
29.2
Columbia +
Yonkers
39.0
Foreign Born
Columbia
8.1%
Yonkers
32.6%
Yonkers +
White
Columbia
74.3%
Columbia +
Yonkers
38.0%
Black
Columbia
12.1%
Yonkers
17.3%
Yonkers +
Asian
Columbia
6.1%
Columbia +
Yonkers
5.1%
Hispanic
Columbia
4.3%
Yonkers
44.4%
Yonkers +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Yonkers
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,200 | 209,529 | Yonkers + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 39.0 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 8.1% | 32.6% | Yonkers + |
| White | 74.3% | 38.0% | Columbia + |
| Black | 12.1% | 17.3% | Yonkers + |
| Asian | 6.1% | 5.1% | Columbia + |
| Hispanic | 4.3% | 44.4% | Yonkers + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$64,488
Yonkers
$81,816
Yonkers +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$37,359
Yonkers
$42,770
Yonkers +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$58,527
Yonkers
$77,425
Yonkers +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
3.9%
Columbia +
Yonkers
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Columbia
20.0%
Yonkers
14.7%
Yonkers +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
56.5%
Columbia +
Yonkers
35.2%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,488 | $81,816 | Yonkers + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,359 | $42,770 | Yonkers + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $77,425 | Yonkers + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 7.4% | Columbia + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.0% | 14.7% | Yonkers + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 56.5% | 35.2% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$323,876
Columbia +
Yonkers
$685,544
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
49.4%
Columbia +
Yonkers
47.2%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $323,876 | $685,544 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.4% | 47.2% | Columbia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
501
Yonkers
434
Yonkers +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
2418
Yonkers
1736
Yonkers +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 434 | Yonkers + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1736 | Yonkers + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
30.1%
Yonkers
29.3%
Yonkers +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.5%
Columbia +
Yonkers
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.1%
Yonkers
15.2%
Yonkers +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.4%
Columbia +
Yonkers
12.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
18.5%
Yonkers
14.3%
Yonkers +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.4%
Yonkers
11.9%
Yonkers +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 29.3% | Yonkers + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 12.4% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 15.2% | Yonkers + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 12.7% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 14.3% | Yonkers + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 11.9% | Yonkers + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
56.0°F
Yonkers
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Yonkers
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Yonkers, NY | 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
Yonkers
8.1 µg/m³
Yonkers +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
55.0%
Yonkers
75.0%
Yonkers +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Yonkers + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Yonkers + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.2 min
Columbia +
Yonkers
37.5 min
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.2 min | 37.5 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Yonkers leads in median household income at $81,816, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $323,876. On public safety, Yonkers is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Columbia. Columbia has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Yonkers has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Yonkers scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.3%.
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