CostIndexUSA

Columbia, MO vs Grand Junction, CO Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableMO
Columbia
89.4
overall index
$1,350/mo rent
CO
Grand Junction
95.5
overall index
$1,725/mo rent

Columbia is moderately cheaper than Grand Junction — 6.8% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Columbia, you would need $85,500 in Grand Junction. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+24.9%
Columbia
69.2
Grand Junction
86.4
🛒 Groceries+2.0%
Columbia
94.2
Grand Junction
96.1
🚗 Transportation+7.3%
Columbia
97.7
Grand Junction
104.8
🏥 Healthcare+7.2%
Columbia
88.4
Grand Junction
94.8
Utilities3.1%
Columbia
86
Grand Junction
83.3

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Columbia to see what you'd need to earn in Grand Junction to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Grand Junction, CO
$85,500
$5,500 more needed in Grand Junction

Formula: salary × (95.5 ÷ 89.4) = salary × 1.0682. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Columbia, MO

Median Home Price
$308,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,350
Housing Index
69.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.0×

Grand Junction, CO

Median Home Price
$418,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,725
Housing Index
86.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.2×

Grand Junction has 24.9% higher housing costs compared to Columbia.

Income & Job Market

Columbia, MO

Median Household Income
$69,400
Per Capita Income
$39,600
Unemployment Rate
2.9%
Population
126,254
Top Industries
EducationHealthcareGovernmentTechnologyFinance

Grand Junction, CO

Median Household Income
$64,700
Per Capita Income
$36,900
Unemployment Rate
4.4%
Population
64,785
Top Industries
EnergyHealthcareAgricultureRetailGovernment

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Columbia, MO
4.3×income-to-rent ratio

77% of income left after rent (median)

Grand Junction, CO
3.1×income-to-rent ratio

68% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.