Columbia

Columbia, Missouri Overview

Columbia scores 53.0/100 overall (B), ranking #10 of 20 cities in Missouri — above the state composite of 49.3. Affordability is the city’s relative strength at 79/100, while Outdoor Access lags at 15/100.

Income & Employment in Columbia

The median household income in Columbia is $62,972, 3% below the statewide median of $64,811. The local unemployment rate of 3.2% is matching the state’s 3.2%. Population grew 0.9% recently.

Safety in Columbia

At 390.4 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, Columbia sits meaningfully below the Missouri average of 495 — a 27% lower gap. The property crime rate is 2547.8 per 100,000.

Cost of Living in Columbia

With a cost of living index of 89.3, Columbia is well below the national average of 100, offering meaningful savings on everyday expenses. The median home value is $268,300. Median monthly rent is $1,067. Renters spend 20.3% of income on rent, well within the 30% affordability guideline.

Health & Wellness in Columbia

The adult obesity rate in Columbia is 30.1% (CDC PLACES). The diabetes prevalence rate is 8.5%. Residents report an average of 19.1 poor mental health days per month, above the typical range. Missouri ranks #35 nationally for overall health.

Education & Schools in Columbia

Columbia has a high school graduation rate of 90%. The student-teacher ratio of 13.7:1 indicates smaller class sizes. Per-pupil spending is $13,936. The city has 33 public schools serving 18,590 students. School data is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data and EDFacts.

Climate & Commute in Columbia

Columbia enjoys a moderate climate with an annual average of 57.5°F. Summers average 77.6°F. Winters average 37.8°F. Annual precipitation is 41.6 inches. The average commute of 15.2 minutes is notably short.

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