City profile
Columbia, MO
University of Missouri town with strong healthcare, the MKT trail and a lively downtown.
Climate
Climate type
Four seasons
Winter avg
31°F
Summer avg
78°F
Sunny days / yr
205
Home prices & cost of living
Median home price
$285,000
Typical monthly housing
$1,840
Cost of living (100 = U.S.)
92
Taxes
- Property tax
- 0.91%
- State income tax (top)
- 4.7%
- Social Security
- Not taxed
- Pensions
- Partly exempt
- Sales tax (state + avg. local)
- 8.39%
FEMA natural hazard risk
Relatively Moderate · county score 86/100
Top hazards: Heat wave, Lightning, Tornado
Nearest major airport
107 mi to St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL)
Political lean (2024 county vote)
Competitive / purple · 52% Democratic / 45% Republican
Demographics (Census ACS)
Population (2024)
128,548
Growth since 2019
+6.0%
Median age
29.5
Residents 65+
12.0%
Median household income
$66,498
Income growth since 2019
+29.7%
Black household income
$45,525
Home ownership
48.7%
Poverty rate
19.3%
Poverty rate, 65+
10.8%
Race & ethnicity: Black 12.1% · White 71.7% · Hispanic 4.4% · Asian 6.3% · Other 5.5%
Crime (per 100,000 residents, 2025)
Violent crime
360 · 9% above the national average
Property crime
1,891 · 22% above the national average
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer, Columbia Police Department. State average: violent 426, property 1,690.
2025–2026 trends
2026 market trends
- ▸Home prices are still rising in 2026 — good for long-term value, less room to negotiate
- ▸Climate/cost risks to check: tornadoes
Highlights
- University of Missouri events
- Strong healthcare
- Katy Trail access
Trade-offs
- Cold winters
- Small regional airport
Figures are estimates from public sources (see How we match). Verify before making decisions.