Cost of Living: Columbia, MO vs Independence, MO

Quick rent-and-take-home comparison

Using a baseline of $70,000/yr gross, take-home is about $4,227/mo in Columbia, MO versus $4,227/mo in Independence, MO. In the model, rent is about 15.55% of gross in Columbia, MO versus 15.46% in Independence, MO, so Independence, MO tends to feel more affordable for rent.

Take-home in Columbia, MO
$4,227/mo
Income level: near
Take-home in Independence, MO
$4,227/mo
Income level: above
Rent share (1BR) in Columbia, MO
15.55%
COLI tier: mid-range
Rent share (1BR) in Independence, MO
15.46%
COLI tier: mid-range

Compare cost of living, rent, housing prices, and salary affordability between Columbia, MO and Independence, MO.

At a glance

  • Cheaper overall (lower cost-of-living index): Independence, MO
  • Lower rent (median 1BR/2BR): Independence, MO
  • Lower home prices: Independence, MO
  • Higher median household income: Columbia, MO

Cost of Living Index

Columbia, MO: 100 (U.S. = 100) · Independence, MO: 100 (U.S. = 100)

Both cities have the same cost-of-living index (U.S. average = 100).

Median Rent

Columbia, MO: $1,014/mo (midpoint of 1BR/2BR) · Independence, MO: $1,008/mo

Median rent in Columbia, MO is $6/mo higher than in Independence, MO.

Median Home Price

Columbia, MO: $268,300 · Independence, MO: $166,400

Median home price in Columbia, MO is $101,900 higher than in Independence, MO.

Median Household Income

Columbia, MO: $64,488 · Independence, MO: $59,480

Columbia, MO has a higher median household income than Independence, MO by $5,008.

Columbia, MO overview · Independence, MO overview · Popular comparisons