Livability Score

82
/100
i The AreaVibes Livability Score evaluates 9 different categories and creates an overall score out of 100. The higher the score, the better the area.

amenities A+

There are lots of amenities close to this location.
Coffee (13) A+
Starbucks
Coffee Shop
Harold's Donuts
Coffee Shop
Kaldi's Coffee
Coffee Shop
Lakota Coffee Company
Coffee Shop
Uprise Bakery
Coffee Shop
Coffee Zone
Coffee Shop
Vida Coffee Co
Coffee Shop
Three Story Coffee
Coffee Shop
Starbucks
Coffee Shop
Starbucks
Coffee Shop
Harold's Donuts
Coffee Shop
Starbucks
Coffee Shop
Entertainment (23) A+
Missouri Theatre
Theatre Arts
Jesse Auditorium
Theatre Arts
Ragtag Cinema
Cinema
My House
Nightclub
Eastside
Nightclub
Nash Vegas
Nightclub
Roxy's
Nightclub
The Blue Note
Theatre Arts
Flat Branch Fountain
Water Park
Resident Arts
Theatre Arts
Orr Street Gallery
Theatre Arts
Memorial Stadium
Stadium
The Sprayground
Water Park
Stephens Lake Park Amphitheater
Theatre Arts
Hearnes Center
Stadium
Mizzou Softball Stadium
Stadium
Mizzou Arena
Stadium
AMF Town & Country Lanes
Bowling Alley
Goodrich Forum 8
Cinema
Hollywood Theater
Cinema
Lazer Lanes
Bowling Alley
Little Mate's Cove
Water Park
Walters-Boone County Historic Museum
Museum
Food and Drink (118) A+
International Tap House
Bar
Thaï Express
Fast Food
Bonsai Sushi
Fast Food
Subway
Fast Food
Domino's
Fast Food
Moe's Southwest Grill
Fast Food
Chipotle
Fast Food
Pickleman's
Fast Food
Baskin-Robbins
Sweets
Dunkin'
Fast Food
Silverball
Bar
Booches
Bar
The Shot Bar
Bar
Craft Beer Cellar
Bar
Sparky's
Sweets
Broadway Brewery
Bar
The Candy Factory
Sweets
Pickleman's
Fast Food
On The Rocks
Bar
Jimmy John's
Fast Food
Snapper's
Bar
The Field House
Bar
Willie's
Bar
CJ's In Tiger Country
Bar
Papa John's
Fast Food
Fitness (7) C-
Wilson's
Gym
Crunch Fitness
Gym
ARC
Gym
Gold's Gym
Gym
Wilson's Fitness Center - On Forum
Gym
Missouri Athletic Center
Gym
Groceries (24) A+
Insomnia Cookies
Bakery
Hot Box Cookies
Bakery
EatWell
Grocery Store
Clovers Natural Market
Grocery Store
Hy-Vee
Grocery Store
Walmart Supercenter
Grocery Store
Natasha's Euromarket
Grocery Store
Staples -- the office superstore
Grocery Store
Mosers
Grocery Store
ALDI
Grocery Store
Schnucks
Grocery Store
Gerbes
Grocery Store
Goodwill
Grocery Store
Walmart Supercenter
Grocery Store
ALDI
Grocery Store
Hong Kong Market
Grocery Store
Hy-Vee
Grocery Store
Natural Grocers
Grocery Store
Walmart Supercenter
Grocery Store
Hy-Vee
Grocery Store
Mosers
Grocery Store
Mosers Grocery
Grocery Store
Parks (159) A+
Francis Quadrangle
Park
Peace Park
Park
Paquin Park
Park
Kuhlman Court
Park
Mel Carnahan Quadrangle
Park
Flat Branch Park
Park
Flat Branch Park
Park
Lions-Stephens Park
Park
Douglas Park
Park
Clyde Wilson Memorial Park
Park
Grasslands Park
Park
John A. Stewart Park
Park
Capen Park
Park
Stephens Lake Park
Park
Downtown Optimist Park
Park
Sterling W. Wyatt Park
Park
Tot Lot
Playground
Worley Street Park
Park
Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial at Battle Garden
Park
Grindstone Nature Area
Park
Westwinds Park
Park
Waters-Moss Memorial Wildlife Area
Park
Shepard Boulevard Park
Park
Again Street Park
Park
Highpointe Park
Park
Shops (99) A+
The Flying Cow Shirt Co.
Clothing
The Text Book Game
Books
Varsity Clips
Hairdresser
Varsity Nails
Beauty
Hitt Street Market
Convenience Store
Britches
Fashion
Tiger Barber Shop
Hairdresser
Hudson/Hawk
Hairdresser
Muse Clothing
Clothing
ACME
Clothing
My Sisters Circus
Clothing
Rally House
Clothing
My Sisters Circus
Clothing
Glik's
Clothing
Kent's Floral Gallery
Florist
Absolute Vintage
Clothing
Swank
Clothing
Calhoun's
Gift Shop
Cricket Wireless
Electronics
Buchroeders
Fashion
Bingham's Traditional Clothing
Clothing
My Secret Garden
Florist
Dryer's Shoe Store
Shoes
Midwest Petroleum
Convenience Store
McAdams'
Furniture
See more Columbia amenity data

commute A+

Of all people who commute, 1.1% take public transportation in Columbia.
Public Transit Stops (6)
Stops & Stations
A+
Tiger Ave. & Conley Ave.
Bus Stop
Wabash Station
Bus Station
Tiger Ave. & Hospital Dr.
Bus Stop
Green Meadow Rd. & Carter Ln.
Bus Stop
Workers Taking Public Transit
1.1%
F
See more Columbia commute data

cost of living B+

The cost of living in Columbia is 98/100 - which is 11% higher than Missouri.
Cost of Living
Goods & Services, Housing, etc.
C+
Tax Rates
Income & Sales Tax
F
See more Columbia cost of living data

crime D-

Columbia crime rates are 3,086 per 100k, which is 9% higher than Missouri
Property Crime
2,615 crimes per 100k
F
Violent Crime
472 crimes per 100k
D-
See more Columbia crime data

employment C+

The median income in Columbia is $53,447 - which is 8% higher than Missouri.
Med. Household Income
$53,447
D-
Unemployment Rate
2.3%
A+
See more Columbia employment data

health A+

There are many hospitals, police and fire stations.
Health & Safety (46)
Dentist, Doctor, Hospital, etc.
A+
Columbia Police Department
Police
Fire Station No. 1
Fire Station
Walgreens
Pharmacy
Boone Hospital Center
Hospital
Ellis Fischel Cancer Center
Clinic
University Hospital
Hospital
Columbia Fire Department
Fire Station
Dr. James W. Elliot
Dentist
Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans’ Hospital
Hospital
CoMO Cubs Pediatrics
Clinic
Planned Parenthood
Clinic
D&H Drugstore
Pharmacy
Aspen Dental
Dentist
Columbia Ortopaedic Group
Clinic
Station No. 2
Fire Station
Boone Clinic
Clinic
Women's and Children's Hospital
Hospital
Station No. 4
Fire Station
Columbia Fire Department
Fire Station
Sweet Previews 3D Ultrasound
Clinic
Fire Station #9
Fire Station
Providence Urgent Care
Doctor
Mizzou Urgent Care
Clinic
Boone County Fire District HQ
Fire Station
University Phsycians Fairview
Clinic
Air Quality
Median Air Quality
A
See more Columbia health & safety data

housing A+

Columbia home prices are $208,300 - which is 48% higher than Missouri
Home Price
$208,300
B+
Home Appreciation Rate
14%
A-
Home Affordability
3.9x (home price to income ratio)
C-
See more Columbia housing data

schools B+

The Columbia graduation rate is 91% - which is 8% higher than Missouri
School Test Scores
43%
F
High School Grad. Rates
91%
A-
Elementary Schools (47) A+
City Garden Grade School
Robert E. Lee Elem.
Islamic School Of Columbia-Missouri
Columbia Independent School
Mizzou K 12 Online/Mu High School
Childrens House Montessori Of Columbia
Frederick Douglass High
Jefferson Middle School
Ulysses S. Grant Elem.
Thomas Benton Elem.
Windsor Street Montessori Schl
John Ridgeway Elem.
Center For Gifted Education
Columbia Montessori School
Heritage Academy
West Blvd. Elem.
Shepard Blvd. Elem.
High Road School Of Boone County
Parkade Elem.
Delmar A Cobble School
Russell Blvd. Elem.
West Middle School
College Park Christian Academy
Christian Chapel Academy
Good Shepherd Lutheran School
High Schools (14) A+
Columbia Independent School
Mizzou K 12 Online/Mu High School
Frederick Douglass High
David H. Hickman High
Heritage Academy
Delmar A Cobble School
College Park Christian Academy
Columbia Area Career Ctr.
Rock Bridge Sr. High
Cornerstone
See more Columbia education data

ratings D-

Columbia has an overall rating of 53% from 27 reviews.
User Reviews (3)
From AreaVibes
F
User Surveys (24)
From AreaVibes
B+
See more Columbia user rating data
Amenities Commute Cost of Living Crime Employment Health & Safety Housing Schools User Ratings
Photo of Columbia, MO
( 27 Ratings )

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Columbia Reviews

Write a review about Columbia Tell people what you like or don't like about Columbia…
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion community, no this does not include normal peep 0.5 rating By Anonymous ( Jul 31, 2024) I lived in columbia about a year and a half. The worst city I have ever lived in. It is a DEI community, which only caters to unique subsets of people. Those are the homeless, vets with ptsd, mentally ill, criminally ill, bad behaviors and their ilk, drug addicts, prostitutes, vo ...Read More ucher folks who don't work or won't work, heck, they won't go to school or function in any way as a normal societal American would or should. The Mayor wears a tshirt that says, "i'm your F(*King mayor:. The entire city is run by incompetent dei people in every facet from law enforcment, to city council, to mayor, file dept', public safety, parks and rec. etc. No water parks, no zoo, no botanical center, small mall with crime and the infrastructure of boone county looks like 1940's Americana. The city only caters to college kids, sports, homeless and meth folks. The city cannot give away enough voucher money and they local leadership only cater to these very "unique subsets of individuals", which if you are a normal, working, average jane or joe American, this is NOT you, so move on, and don't waste what short life you have left in this dysfunctional masstopia of junk. Read Less
Only comfortable if you’re rich 0.5 rating By Anonymous ( Dec 17, 2019) I’m from Columbia. I grew up in a neighborhood called South Hampton. It’s located near Rock Bridge High School and despite the south location in Columbia it’s a neighborhood that was and is still ran by slumlords.
My mom is a single mom who worked for the University of Mis
...Read More souri as a Financial aid assistant. My grandma who lived with us also worked for the University in the same office. Naturally you would think the two incomes would have made it so we could have chosen a better neighborhood to live in, but that is not the case. Even with both of them working good jobs we could not afford a better apartment. Today in 2019 the relationship with the household income and finding a good place to live has not gotten any better. My husband and I both work good jobs now and still we can’t not afford a house, or a better apartment. Most Columbia jobs do not pay well. Those that do want 5 or more years of experience, or there’s a false since have payment. By that I mean you may make $15 an hour but only at part time and no working overtime hours. Truly you don’t make enough. The only people who like living here make 80.000 or more a year. Of course only a few make that type of income. Everyone else suffers. I would move away from here but my mom is sick and I have to take care of her. Oh and the University of Missouri mom worked for for 15 or so years did nothing for her when she got sick except fire her. I won’t move here unless you can make some changes to this messed up community. Read Less
Small city growing.. 2 rating By Mamide3 ( Feb 17, 2014) I've lived in South Columbia my entire life. I was born here. I still am not used to Missouri winters. It gets very cold. There are years it snows and ices a lot. Summer's here are hot and humid, but the town in beautiful. We are home of the Missouri Tigers, and Columbia is a col ...Read More lege town. It's grown a lot over the years. Local schools get a fairly bad rating in my book. I have three children and the student/teacher ratios are horrible (sometimes 28:1). I am actually looking to move our young family at this time. Crime is high in Columbia, over recent years it's skyrocketed. By all means if your moving into the area look in Columbia's south side, north Columbia has more crimes and schools aren't the best. Read Less
Columbia, MO - Big City Offerings With a Small Town Feel 4 rating By Anonymous ( Jul 23, 2010) I have lived only a few hours from Columbia, Missouri most of my life, and have the pleasure of traveling there several times a year. Columbia is the home of the University of Missouri and their Big 12 conference Missouri Tigers, as well as Columbia and Stephens Colleges. The col ...Read More lege town feel makes this a wonderful place to visit, for games, shopping and entertainment.

Due to the presence of the colleges, hotels and restaurants are plentiful for a city of just over 100,000 residents and offer a much more cosmopolitan atmosphere than expected. All the conveniences of a city can be found in this small town.

Downtown Columbia is home to many small restaurants and specialty shops, as well as one of the mid-west's premier music venues. Well known for presenting national acts in an intimate setting, several of these clubs regularly host artists doing warm-up performances before embarking on national tours. Restaurants are enhanced by a healthy Indian community who offer authentic foods from their homeland.

Columbia, Missouri host several festivals throughout the year including, The Roots and Blues Bar-B-Que Festival and the Boone County Fair. You'll always find something to do in Columbia. Read Less
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Small city growing.. 2 rating By Mamide3 ( Feb 17, 2014) I've lived in South Columbia my entire life. I was born here. I still am not used to Missouri winters. It gets very cold. There are years it snows and ices a lot. Summer's here are hot and humid, but the town in beautiful. We are home of the Missouri Tigers, and Columbia is a col ...Read More lege town. It's grown a lot over the years. Local schools get a fairly bad rating in my book. I have three children and the student/teacher ratios are horrible (sometimes 28:1). I am actually looking to move our young family at this time. Crime is high in Columbia, over recent years it's skyrocketed. By all means if your moving into the area look in Columbia's south side, north Columbia has more crimes and schools aren't the best. Read Less
Columbia, MO - Big City Offerings With a Small Town Feel 4 rating By Anonymous ( Jul 23, 2010) I have lived only a few hours from Columbia, Missouri most of my life, and have the pleasure of traveling there several times a year. Columbia is the home of the University of Missouri and their Big 12 conference Missouri Tigers, as well as Columbia and Stephens Colleges. The col ...Read More lege town feel makes this a wonderful place to visit, for games, shopping and entertainment.

Due to the presence of the colleges, hotels and restaurants are plentiful for a city of just over 100,000 residents and offer a much more cosmopolitan atmosphere than expected. All the conveniences of a city can be found in this small town.

Downtown Columbia is home to many small restaurants and specialty shops, as well as one of the mid-west's premier music venues. Well known for presenting national acts in an intimate setting, several of these clubs regularly host artists doing warm-up performances before embarking on national tours. Restaurants are enhanced by a healthy Indian community who offer authentic foods from their homeland.

Columbia, Missouri host several festivals throughout the year including, The Roots and Blues Bar-B-Que Festival and the Boone County Fair. You'll always find something to do in Columbia. Read Less

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      vs

      Columbia, MO

      Columbia is a college town in the state of Missouri. It is fondly known as CoMo by the crowd of college kids and the locals who reside there. Thanks to its beautiful architecture and beautiful sites, it is also known as the “Athens of Missouri.” Columbia offers the comforts of a small town with all the amenities and culture of a big city. Whether you prefer a quiet life with friendly neighbors or love booming city life, Columbia could be the place for you. With a population of over 100,000, the city is a fairly large metropolis and and an exciting to live. It is known as a liberal city, which is no surprise given that most of its population consits of young, idealistic people.

      Columbia is a college town through and through. It is home to the University of Missouri, which is one of the most reputable universities in the country. The city also boasts of several colleges, most popular among them being the Columbia College and Stephens College. Additionally, there are a good number of public schools that are high ranking on the national scale, which makes it a great city for families with younger kids.

      Columbia has some tremendous amenities for its size. In terms of healthcare, Missouri University Hospital is one of the best hospitals in the country. Locals enjoy quality healthcare from this facility. The city also has numerous recreational parks and other facilities, most notable among them being the Rock Bridge State Park and the Albert- Oakland Family Aquatic Center. If you prefer to go biking or hiking, the city has numerous trails on which you can create memorable experiences.

      Life in Columbia is more affordable than in most other towns in the United States. Additionally, CoMo boasts a fairly robust economy, with an unemployment rate that is lower than it is in the rest of the country. Houses here also tend to be cheaper than in most other US cities, although most locals rent out rather than buy their homes. The city also has a reliable transport system, and the average commute time is lower than the national average.

      If you are looking for entertainment options, Columbia is beaming with them. After all, what college town does not have endless recreational possibilities? There are various festivals throughout the year, numerous concerts for music lovers, and theatres for art lovers. Whether you like Jazz, blues, or popular music, rest assured you will find your crowd in CoMo. If you prefer classical music or appreciate fine art, then the Missouri Theater will most certainly become a haven for you.

      On the whole, Columbia is a great place to move to for people of all ages. Whether you are a college kid, a young family, or someone who wants a new start, Columbia will prove to be just the city for you. It has all the amenities you need and a sense of community that will bring more joy to your life.

      A+ Amenities

      Are there many local amenities in Columbia? Yes, there are lots of amenities close to this location.

      Parks

      Francis Quadrangle
      Peace Park
      Paquin Park
      Kuhlman Court
      Mel Carnahan Quadrangle
      Flat Branch Park
      Flat Branch Park
      Lions-Stephens Park

      Entertainment

      Missouri Theatre
      Jesse Auditorium
      Ragtag Cinema
      My House
      Eastside
      Nash Vegas
      Roxy's
      The Blue Note

      Food & Drink

      International Tap House
      Thaï Express
      Bonsai Sushi
      Subway
      Domino's
      Moe's Southwest Grill
      Chipotle
      Pickleman's

      F Commute

      Is public transit available in Columbia? Of all people who commute, 1.1% take public transportation in Columbia.
      Drive to Work
      76%

      1% lower than the US average

      Take Public Transit
      1%

      4% lower than the US average

      Walk to Work
      6%

      3% higher than the US average

      B- Health & Safety

      Is Columbia a healthy and safe place to live? Yes, there are some hospitals, police and fire stations.

      Hospitals

      Boone Hospital Center
      Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans’ Hospital
      University Hospital
      Women's and Children's Hospital

      Pharmacies

      Walgreens
      D&H Drugstore

      Doctors

      Providence Urgent Care