Columbia SC vs Kansas City MO — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Columbia, SC
South Carolina · Population: 138,019
- Median HH Income$55,653
- Median Home Price$229,993
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+46.1%
Kansas City, MO
Missouri · Population: 508,233
- Median HH Income$67,449
- Median Home Price$253,319
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbia
138,019
Kansas City
508,233
Kansas City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Kansas City
35.7
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Kansas City
8.5%
Kansas City +
White
Columbia
49.9%
Kansas City
57.8%
Kansas City +
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Kansas City
25.8%
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Kansas City
2.7%
Kansas City +
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Kansas City
12.3%
Kansas City +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 508,233 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 35.7 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 8.5% | Kansas City + |
| White | 49.9% | 57.8% | Kansas City + |
| Black | 39.5% | 25.8% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 2.7% | Kansas City + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 12.3% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Kansas City
$67,449
Kansas City +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Kansas City
$40,112
Kansas City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Kansas City
$58,527
Kansas City +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Kansas City
4.7%
Kansas City +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Kansas City
14.6%
Kansas City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
Kansas City
37.8%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $67,449 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $40,112 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $58,527 | Kansas City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 4.7% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 14.6% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 37.8% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Kansas City
$253,319
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Kansas City
54.6%
Kansas City +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $253,319 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 54.6% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Columbia +
Kansas City
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Columbia +
Kansas City
2418
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 501 | Columbia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2418 | Columbia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
Columbia +
Kansas City
38.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Kansas City
12.0%
Kansas City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Kansas City
18.8%
Kansas City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Kansas City
10.6%
Kansas City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Kansas City
16.7%
Kansas City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Columbia +
Kansas City
15.6%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 38.5% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 12.0% | Kansas City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 18.8% | Kansas City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 10.6% | Kansas City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 16.7% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 15.6% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Kansas City
54.6°F
Kansas City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Kansas City
38.9 in
Kansas City +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°F | 54.6°F | Kansas City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 38.9 in | Kansas City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Columbia +
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Columbia +
Kansas City
55.0%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Columbia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Columbia + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
Kansas City
23.4 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 23.4 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kansas City leads in median household income at $67,449, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $229,993. On public safety, Columbia is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Kansas City. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Columbia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.4%.
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