Living Cost Compare
Columbus

Georgia

$1,090/mo est.

vs
Huntsville

Alabama

$1,090/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,090 in Columbus, GA versus $1,090 in Huntsville, AL. The two are close overall, within a few percent of each other.

Median household income is $56,622 in Columbus, GA and $70,778 in Huntsville, AL — about 20% higher in Huntsville, AL. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; Alabama has a top state income tax rate of 5.00% and a 4% state sales tax.

Columbus, GA
Huntsville, AL

Rent

Studio
$826
$815
+1% in Columbus, GA
1 Bedroom
$875
$900
+3% in Huntsville, AL
2 Bedroom
$991
$1,080
+9% in Huntsville, AL
3 Bedroom
$1,221
$1,251
+2% in Huntsville, AL

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$182,300
$263,100
+44% in Huntsville, AL

Income

Median Household Income
$56,622
$70,778
+25% in Huntsville, AL
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$43,540
$51,740
+19% in Huntsville, AL

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
35.1 yr
36.4 yr
+1.3 yr in Huntsville, AL
Homeownership
50.2%
58.1%
+7.9 pp in Huntsville, AL
Bachelor's+ (25+)
29.7%
46.2%
+16.5 pp in Huntsville, AL
Avg Commute
20.2 min
19.3 min
+0.9 min in Columbus, GA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
612.3
483.2
+21% in Columbus, GA
Property Crime
2,273.4
2,395.7
+5% in Huntsville, AL

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
62.1°F
+3.6°F in Columbus, GA
Annual Precipitation
46.8 in
54.3 in
+7.6 in in Huntsville, AL

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.94/gal
$3.62/gal
+8% in Columbus, GA

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Gulf Coast (PADD 3).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
16.4
16.4
+0% in Huntsville, AL
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$38.60
$24.06
+38% in Columbus, GA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.00
$4.00
about equal
Bread (lb)
$1.75
$1.75
about equal
Eggs (doz)
$2.21
$2.21
about equal
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.45
$6.45
about equal
Chicken (lb)
$1.90
$1.90
about equal
Bananas (lb)
$0.62
$0.62
about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (GA / AL)
4%
4%
about equal
Income Tax (top rate)
5.19%
5.00%
+0.2 pp in GA

Columbus vs Huntsville — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Columbus or Huntsville?
They're close. Columbus, GA runs about $1,090 a month and Huntsville, AL about $1,090 (1BR rent + utilities) — within a few percent of each other.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Columbus than in Huntsville?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Columbus versus $36,000 in Huntsville.
Which has lower taxes, Columbus or Huntsville?
Columbus is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Huntsville under Alabama's (a top state income tax rate of 5.00% and a 4% 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).