Is it cheaper to live in Columbus or Meridian?

Columbus, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,090 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 36% below Meridian, ID's $1,690, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Columbus versus $62,000 in Meridian.

Which has lower taxes, Columbus or Meridian?

Columbus is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Meridian under Idaho's (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax).

Columbus vs Meridian Cost of Living 2026

Columbus

Georgia

$1,090/mo est.

Meridian

Idaho

$1,690/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 $1,690 in Meridian, ID. Overall, Columbus, GA is roughly 36% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Meridian, ID, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $56,622 in Columbus, GA and $98,686 in Meridian, ID — about 43% higher in Meridian, ID. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax.

Columbus, GA

Meridian, ID

Rent

Studio

$826

$1,523

+84% in Meridian, ID

1 Bedroom

$875

$1,540

+76% in Meridian, ID

2 Bedroom

$991

$1,489

+50% in Meridian, ID

3 Bedroom

$1,221

$1,893

+55% in Meridian, ID

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$182,300

$485,000

+166% in Meridian, ID

Income

Median Household Income

$56,622

$98,686

+74% in Meridian, ID

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$43,540

$49,100

+13% in Meridian, ID

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.1 yr

37.4 yr

+2.3 yr in Meridian, ID

Homeownership

50.2%

76.1%

+25.9 pp in Meridian, ID

Bachelor's+ (25+)

29.7%

44.4%

+14.7 pp in Meridian, ID

Avg Commute

20.2 min

22.3 min

+2.1 min in Meridian, ID

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

612.3

150.3

+75% in Columbus, GA

Property Crime

2,273.4

583.5

+74% in Columbus, GA

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

52.5°F

+13.2°F in Columbus, GA

Annual Precipitation

46.8 in

11.7 in

+35.0 in in Columbus, GA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$4.27/gal

+8% in Meridian, ID

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Rocky Mountain (PADD 4).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

16.4

14.4

+12% in Columbus, GA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$38.60

$11.33

+71% in Columbus, GA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.82

+20% in Meridian, ID

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$2.04

+17% in Meridian, ID

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Columbus, GA

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$7.36

+14% in Meridian, ID

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.01

+6% in Meridian, ID

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Meridian, ID

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (GA / ID)

+2.0 pp in ID

Income Tax (top rate)

5.19%

5.30%

+0.1 pp in ID

Columbus vs Meridian — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Columbus or Meridian?: Columbus, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,090 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 36% below Meridian, ID's $1,690, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Columbus than in Meridian?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Columbus versus $62,000 in Meridian.
Which has lower taxes, Columbus or Meridian?: Columbus is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Meridian under Idaho's (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% 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).