Is it cheaper to live in Columbus or Evansville?

Evansville, IN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $950 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 12% below Columbus, GA's $1,080, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Columbus than in Evansville?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Columbus versus $31,000 in Evansville.

Which has lower taxes, Columbus or Evansville?

Columbus is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Evansville under Indiana's (a top state income tax rate of 2.95% and a 7% state sales tax).

Columbus vs Evansville Cost of Living 2026

Columbus

Georgia

$1,080/mo est.

Evansville

Indiana

$950/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,080 in Columbus, GA versus $950 in Evansville, IN. Overall, Evansville, IN is roughly 12% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Columbus, GA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $56,622 in Columbus, GA and $52,251 in Evansville, IN — about 8% higher in Columbus, GA. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; Indiana has a top state income tax rate of 2.95% and a 7% state sales tax.

Columbus, GA

Evansville, IN

Rent

Studio

$826

$741

+10% in Columbus, GA

1 Bedroom

$875

$768

+12% in Columbus, GA

2 Bedroom

$991

$1,022

+3% in Evansville, IN

3 Bedroom

$1,221

$1,167

+4% in Columbus, GA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$182,300

$129,100

+29% in Columbus, GA

Income

Median Household Income

$56,622

$52,251

+8% in Columbus, GA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$43,540

$46,540

+7% in Evansville, IN

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.1 yr

38.1 yr

+3.0 yr in Evansville, IN

Homeownership

50.2%

53.9%

+3.7 pp in Evansville, IN

Bachelor's+ (25+)

29.7%

22.3%

+7.4 pp in Columbus, GA

Avg Commute

20.2 min

18.7 min

+1.5 min in Columbus, GA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

612.3

1,210.5

+98% in Evansville, IN

Property Crime

2,273.4

3,716.2

+63% in Evansville, IN

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

65.7°F

56.4°F

+9.3°F in Columbus, GA

Annual Precipitation

46.8 in

45.3 in

+1.4 in in Columbus, GA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$3.94/gal

+2% in Evansville, IN

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.8

18.1

+15% in Evansville, IN

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$33.28

$13.70

+59% in Columbus, GA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Evansville, IN

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.66

+5% in Columbus, GA

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$3.63

+64% in Evansville, IN

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.77

+5% in Evansville, IN

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.10

+10% in Evansville, IN

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

Average prices — South vs Midwest (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (GA / IN)

+3.0 pp in IN

Income Tax (top rate)

5.19%

2.95%

+2.2 pp in GA

Columbus vs Evansville — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Columbus or Evansville?: Evansville, IN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $950 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 12% below Columbus, GA's $1,080, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Columbus than in Evansville?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Columbus versus $31,000 in Evansville.
Which has lower taxes, Columbus or Evansville?: Columbus is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Evansville under Indiana's (a top state income tax rate of 2.95% and a 7% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).