Is it cheaper to live in Columbus or Rutland?

Columbus, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,090 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 3% below Rutland, VT's $1,120, mainly because of electricity costs.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Columbus versus $34,000 in Rutland.

Which has lower taxes, Columbus or Rutland?

Columbus is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Rutland under Vermont's (a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax).

Columbus vs Rutland Cost of Living 2026

Columbus

Georgia

$1,090/mo est.

Rutland

Vermont

$1,120/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 $1,120 in Rutland, VT. Overall, Columbus, GA is roughly 3% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Rutland, VT, driven mainly by electricity costs.

Median household income is $56,622 in Columbus, GA and $55,000 in Rutland, VT — about 3% higher in Columbus, GA. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; Vermont has a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax.

Columbus, GA

Rutland, VT

Rent

Studio

$826

$893

+8% in Rutland, VT

1 Bedroom

$875

$856

+2% in Columbus, GA

2 Bedroom

$991

$1,097

+11% in Rutland, VT

3 Bedroom

$1,221

$1,207

+1% in Columbus, GA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$182,300

$176,400

+3% in Columbus, GA

Income

Median Household Income

$56,622

$55,000

+3% in Columbus, GA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$43,540

—

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.1 yr

48.5 yr

+13.4 yr in Rutland, VT

Homeownership

50.2%

52.7%

+2.5 pp in Rutland, VT

Bachelor's+ (25+)

29.7%

32.2%

+2.5 pp in Rutland, VT

Avg Commute

20.2 min

14.7 min

+5.5 min in Columbus, GA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

612.3

487.8

+20% in Columbus, GA

Property Crime

2,273.4

3,973.3

+75% in Rutland, VT

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

44.6°F

+21.1°F in Columbus, GA

Annual Precipitation

46.8 in

40.5 in

+6.3 in in Columbus, GA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

about equal

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

16.4

24.4

+49% in Rutland, VT

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$38.60

$26.07

+32% in Columbus, GA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Rutland, VT

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.92

+10% in Rutland, VT

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Columbus, GA

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.90

+7% in Rutland, VT

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.19

+15% in Rutland, VT

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Rutland, VT

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (GA / VT)

+2.0 pp in VT

Income Tax (top rate)

5.19%

8.75%

+3.6 pp in VT

Columbus vs Rutland — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Columbus or Rutland?: Columbus, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,090 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 3% below Rutland, VT's $1,120, mainly because of electricity costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Columbus than in Rutland?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Columbus versus $34,000 in Rutland.
Which has lower taxes, Columbus or Rutland?: Columbus is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Rutland under Vermont's (a top state income tax rate of 8.75% 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).