Is Columbus expensive to live in?

Columbus is among the more affordable of the 112 US cities we track. Its one-bedroom rent of $875 per month ranks #87 of 112 and is 19% lower than the $1,080 median.

What is the average rent in Columbus?

Average rent in Columbus, GA runs a studio around $826, a one-bedroom around $875, a two-bedroom around $991, a three-bedroom around $1,221 per month (US Census ACS).

How much do you need to earn to live in Columbus?

To keep a one-bedroom rent of $875 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year. The median household income here is $56,622.

How much does it cost to live in Columbus per month?

A rough monthly baseline for one person in Columbus is about $1,080 — one-bedroom rent plus typical residential electricity and heating. It excludes food, transport, and healthcare, so a full budget is higher.

Cost of Living in Columbus, GA

Population 204,383 · Georgia

~$1,080/mo est.1BR $875Home $182,300

Compare with:

The cost of living in Columbus, GA is driven mostly by housing. A one-bedroom apartment rents for around $875 a month — 19% lower than the $1,080 median across the 112 large US cities we track. Studios average $826 and two-bedrooms $991.

Median household income here is $56,622, 18% lower than the $69,423 median of the cities we track. Adding typical electricity and heating to one-bedroom rent, a rough monthly baseline for one person is about $1,080 before food and transport. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax.

Rent1BR $875

Studio

$826

1 Bedroom

$875

2 Bedroom

$991

3 Bedroom

$1,221

Buying a Home$182,300

Median Home Value

$182,300

Income$56,622

Median Household Income

$56,622

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$43,540

Household income: Census ACS, city. Metro median wage: BLS OEWS, all occupations, 2025 (metro area).

GroceriesSouth

Milk (gal)

$4.00

Bread (lb)

$1.75

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

Average prices, South (BLS, 2026-07-01). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

Utilities15.8¢/kWh

Electricity

15.8¢/kWh

Natural Gas

$33.28/MCF

Residential, state-level averages (EIA, 2026-05-01). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Gas$3.86/gal

Regular Gasoline (East Coast (PADD 1))

$3.86/gal

EIA weekly retail average, week of 2026-08-17.

State Taxes (GA)4% sales

State Sales Tax

State Income Tax (top rate)

Up to 5.19%

State-level rates. Local sales taxes may add more. Income tax shown is the top marginal rate; most filers pay less.

Crime612.3 violent

Violent Crime (per 100k/yr)

612.3

Property Crime (per 100k/yr)

2,273.4

FBI Crime Data Explorer, Columbus Police Department (2024). Offenses per 100,000 residents per year. Agency reporting practices vary, so cross-city comparisons are approximate.

People & LifestyleAge 35.1 yrs

Median Age

35.1 yrs

Homeownership

50.2%

Bachelor's+ (25+)

29.7%

Avg Commute

20.2 min

Climate65.7°F

Avg Annual Temperature

65.7°F

Annual Precipitation

46.8 in

Columbus cost of living — FAQ

Is Columbus expensive to live in?: Columbus is among the more affordable of the 112 US cities we track. Its one-bedroom rent of $875 per month ranks #87 of 112 and is 19% lower than the $1,080 median.
What is the average rent in Columbus?: Average rent in Columbus, GA runs a studio around $826, a one-bedroom around $875, a two-bedroom around $991, a three-bedroom around $1,221 per month (US Census ACS).
How much do you need to earn to live in Columbus?: To keep a one-bedroom rent of $875 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year. The median household income here is $56,622.
How much does it cost to live in Columbus per month?: A rough monthly baseline for one person in Columbus is about $1,080 — one-bedroom rent plus typical residential electricity and heating. It excludes food, transport, and healthcare, so a full budget is higher.

Compare Columbus with nearby cities

Columbus vs Atlanta Columbus vs Birmingham Columbus vs Augusta Columbus vs Jacksonville Columbus vs Nashville Columbus vs Charleston

Nearby cities

Atlanta, GA 96 mi Birmingham, AL 128 mi Augusta, GA 186 mi Jacksonville, FL 245 mi Nashville, TN 275 mi Charleston, SC 295 mi

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981-2010 (climate); EIA (gas, utilities); BLS Average Price Data (groceries) & OEWS (metro wage); transit agencies (fares); FBI Crime Data Explorer (crime); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes). Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + utilities; not a full cost of living.