Living in Columbia, Missouri
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Columbia · Census data 2020–2024
Columbia has 128,548 residents with a median age of 29.5. The median household income is $66,498 (6% lower than the Missouri median), the median home value is $284,600, the median rent is $1,097/month.
Columbia at a glance
- Population
- 128,548
- Median age
- 29.5State: 39
- Median household income
- $66,498State: $70,702
- Median home value
- $284,600State: $230,300
- Median rent
- $1,097/moState: $1,033
- Homeowners
- 48.7%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 56.7%
- Average commute
- 16 min
Is Columbia a good place to live?
Pros: An average commute of 16 minutes; unemployment of 4%.
Cons: Median household income 6% lower than the Missouri median; home values 24% higher than the state median; a poverty rate of 19.3%.
The weather is best in May–June and September–October.
Cost of living in Columbia
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Columbia the median home value is $284,600, 14% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,097 per month, which is 30.6% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,704 a month in housing costs.
Columbia median household income
The median household income in Columbia is $66,498 and the income per person is $39,340. 19.3% of residents live below the poverty line (Missouri: 12.6%).
Housing in Columbia: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 56,054
- Owner-occupied
- 48.7%
- Renter-occupied
- 51.3%
- Vacant
- 6.2%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1993
- Average household size
- 2.26
Columbia demographics
- Population
- 128,548
- Median age
- 29.5
- Under 18
- 18.7%
- 65 and older
- 11.6%
- Households
- 52,564
- Foreign-born
- 8.1%
- Veterans
- 4.6%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Columbia ›
Education in Columbia
56.7% of adults 25 and older in Columbia have a bachelor's degree or higher (Missouri: 32.4%), and 26.7% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Columbia
- Unemployment rate
- 4%State: 4%
- Average commute
- 16 minState: 24 min
- Work from home
- 10%
- Drive alone
- 73.7%
- Public transit
- 1.2%
- Walk to work
- 5.4%
- Homes with broadband
- 90.5%
Columbia vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia | 128,548 | $66,498 | $284,600 | $1,097 |
| Ashland | 4,914 | $93,143 | $258,500 | $1,206 |
| Rocheport | 231 | $57,083 | $223,300 | $989 |
| Hallsville | 1,927 | $71,000 | $214,800 | $1,127 |
| Jamestown | 280 | $55,833 | $149,000 | $713 |
| Harrisburg | 312 | $68,906 | $206,700 | $944 |
| Prairie Home | 251 | $53,750 | $131,300 | $825 |
| Hartsburg | 109 | $46,250 | $168,800 | $671 |
| Sturgeon | 1,035 | $76,250 | $146,500 | $856 |
More for people moving to Columbia
Columbia ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Columbia: FAQ
What is the median household income in Columbia, MO?
The median household income in Columbia is $66,498, 6% lower than the Missouri median of $70,702 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Columbia?
The median home value in Columbia is $284,600, compared with $230,300 in Missouri.
How much is rent in Columbia?
The median gross rent in Columbia is $1,097 per month, about 30.6% of household income.
Is Columbia, MO a good place to live?
Pluses: an average commute of 16 minutes; unemployment of 4%. Minuses: median household income 6% lower than the Missouri median; home values 24% higher than the state median; a poverty rate of 19.3%.
What is the median age in Columbia?
The median age in Columbia is 29.5 years (Missouri: 39).
How long is the commute in Columbia?
The average commute to work in Columbia is 16 minutes; 10% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Columbia?
The unemployment rate in Columbia is 4% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Columbia?
56.7% of adults in Columbia have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
Last updated: