Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Columbia, MO
VS
Durham, NC
🏆 Columbia leads 14 of 23 categories
Columbia
Missouri
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
89.3 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$60,455
Violent Crime Index
91 ✓ Safer
Population
126,172
Durham
North Carolina
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
96.6
Median Household Income
$74,710 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
163⚠ High
Population
284,094 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Columbia, MO
Pros
44% less violent crime than Durham
Rent averages $299/mo less ($997 vs $1,296)
Homes cost $68k less ($248,600 vs $316,600)
Commutes run 6 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 89.3)
7% cheaper overall cost of living than Durham
Cons
Median income trails Durham by $14,255/yr
Durham, NC
Pros
Households earn $14,255 more per year on average
Milder winters — January highs near 49°F vs 39°F
Cons
Violent crime (619.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Pricier housing — median home is $316,600
Property crime (3799.7/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Cost of living runs 7% higher than Columbia
Key Differences at a Glance
Columbia
Cost of Living
7% cheaper
COL index 89.3 vs 96.6 (100 = US avg)
Columbia
Violent Crime
44% lower
347.5 vs 619.2 per 100k
Columbia
Median Home Value
$68k less
$248,600 vs $316,600
Durham
Median Income
$14,255
$74,710 vs $60,455/yr
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Durham, NC |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 89.3 ✓ Cheaper | 96.6 |
| Median Home Value | $248,600 ✓ Lower | $316,600⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $997 ✓ Lower | $1,296 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $60,455 | $74,710 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 4.3%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 16.5 min ✓ Shorter | 22.3 min |
| Work From Home % | 7.6% | 17.9% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 99 ✓ Safer | 170⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 91 ✓ Safer | 163⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 110⚠ High ✓ Safer | 181⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A (123) ✓ Better | A- (115) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 12.8:1 ✓ Smaller | 15.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 55.3% ✓ Higher | 53.8% |
| High School or Higher | 95.4% ✓ Higher | 91.3% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | COLUMBIA 93 | Durham Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 39.3°F | 48.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 88.6°F ✓ Warmer | 87.0°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 44.8" ✓ Drier | 50.0" |
| Annual Snowfall | 17.4" | 5.2" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 126,172 | 284,094 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 28.8 | 34.7 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.8% | 52.0% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 19.0% | 20.1% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 11.1% | 12.7% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Columbia's cost of living index is 89.3 vs Durham's 96.6 (US average = 100).
Columbia is 7% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Columbia leads 14 of 23 categories. Columbia wins 14 and Durham wins 9. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Columbia to Durham or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($248,600 vs $316,600 median home), income ($60,455 vs $74,710), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Columbia, MO and Durham, NC are about 764 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.