Home › GA › Columbus, GA Cost of living in Columbus, GA Livability score 76 · cost-of-living index 88.8 (US = 100)
How Columbus compares Where Columbus falls within the range of all 200 metros (marker = this city).
Cost-of-living index (US=100) 85 118 Cost-of-living index (US=100): 89 — range 85 to 118 across all metros 89 Median home price $149k $1610k Median home price: $210k — range $149k to $1610k across all metros $210k Price per sqft (more house = lower) $88 $1074 Price per sqft (more house = lower): $102 — range $88 to $1074 across all metros $102 Combined sales tax 0.0% 11.5% Combined sales tax: 7.4% — range 0.0% to 11.5% across all metros 7.4% Property tax rate 0.28% 2.76% Property tax rate: 0.79% — range 0.28% to 2.76% across all metros 0.79% Violent crime (per 100k, state avg) 110 1,000 Violent crime (per 100k, state avg): 370 — range 110 to 1,000 across all metros 370 Electricity (¢/kWh) 12.3 46.6 Electricity (¢/kWh): 15.4 — range 12.3 to 46.6 across all metros 15.4 Avg summer high (°F) 65° 104° Avg summer high (°F): 89° — range 65° to 104° across all metros 89° Avg winter low (°F) -2° 72° Avg winter low (°F): 34° — range -2° to 72° across all metros 34° Map of Columbus Grocery stores, parks, golf courses and more — real listings. Toggle categories in the legend.
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Cost of living Metric Value Scope US rank Cost-of-living index (US=100) 88.8 metro-area #14 of 200 Grocery index (US=100) 96.3 metro-area #96 of 200 Big Mac price (est.) $5.06 metro-area #14 of 200 Median household income $55,720 metro-area #188 of 200 Median wage (all occupations) $35,064 metro-area #171 of 200
Who lives here Metric Value Scope US rank Median age 36.1 years metro-area #42 of 200 Bachelor's degree or higher (25+) 26.9% metro-area #160 of 200 Foreign-born residents 4.5% metro-area #172 of 200 Homes that are owner-occupied 57.2% metro-area #186 of 200
Economy Metric Value Scope US rank Unemployment rate 6.87% metro-area #181 of 200 Population growth (5-yr) +5.2% metro-area #76 of 200
Housing — what your money buys Metric Value Scope US rank Median home price $209,527 metro-area #16 of 200 Home price ÷ income (affordability) 3.8× metro-area #36 of 200 1-yr home appreciation +3.0% metro-area #47 of 200 Price per square foot $102 metro-area #11 of 200 Typical home size (implied) 2,050 sqft Median rent (monthly) $1,278 metro-area #23 of 200 Homes for sale (inventory) 1,137 Median days on market 17 metro-area #98 of 200
Taxes Metric Value Scope US rank Total tax burden (est. % of income) 8.9% state #27 of 200 Combined sales tax 7.38% state #99 of 200 State income tax (top rate) 5.19% Capital gains tax 5.39% state #125 of 200 High earners No special surtax Social Security in retirement Not taxed — does not tax Social Security benefits Effective property tax rate 0.79% metro-area #77 of 200 Median property tax paid $1,354 metro-area #26 of 200
Health & childcare Metric Value Scope US rank Life expectancy at birth 72.7 years metro-area #194 of 200 Healthcare (annual, single adult) $6,400 state #32 of 200 Uninsured (share of residents) 11.7% metro-area #148 of 200 Primary care providers per 100k 79 metro-area #85 of 200 Childcare (annual, infant, center) $9,500 state #37 of 200
Vehicles & commute Metric Value Scope US rank Annual registration $40 state #4 of 200 Vehicle property tax (annual) None state #1 of 200 Emissions testing Required Emissions detail Required in 13 metro Atlanta counties DMV & license offices 4 Avg commute to work 22 min metro-area #46 of 200 Commute by driving alone 77.0% metro-area #132 of 200 Solo drivers commuting 30+ min 25.0% metro-area #43 of 200
Utilities & fuel Metric Value Scope US rank Electricity 15.4¢/kWh state #41 of 200 Avg monthly electric bill $138 state #41 of 200 Gasoline $3.15/gal state #57 of 200 Natural gas (avg monthly bill) $74 state #133 of 200 Water & sewer (avg monthly bill) $123 state #138 of 200 Home internet (avg monthly bill) $88 state #190 of 200
Insurance Metric Value Scope US rank Home insurance (annual) $2,100 state #124 of 200 Auto insurance (annual) $1,900 state #86 of 200
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance Metric Value Scope US rank Main natural hazards Notable hazards: hurricanes, tornadoes — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed. FEMA National Risk Index (0–100, higher = more risk) 63.7 — Relatively Low metro-area #6 of 200 Flood insurance (annual, NFIP) $700 state #61 of 200 Earthquake insurance (annual) $100 state #1 of 200
Climate & air quality Metric Value Scope US rank Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner) 49 metro-area #122 of 200 Cooling degree-days (AC load) 1,800 metro-area #134 of 200 Homes with air conditioning (state) 95% state #27 of 200 Heating degree-days (heat load) 2,800 metro-area #76 of 200 Days per year ≥ 90°F 73 metro-area #156 of 200 Days per year ≥ 100°F 2 metro-area #144 of 200 Avg summer high (state) 89°F metro-area #113 of 200 Avg winter low 34°F metro-area #76 of 200 Annual precipitation 50.4" metro-area #158 of 200 Annual snowfall 2.2" metro-area #72 of 200 Sunshine (% of possible) 60% metro-area #85 of 200 Plant hardiness zone 8a Frost window 03-10 → 11-20
Safety Metric Value Scope US rank Violent crime (per 100k, state avg) 370 state #65 of 200 Property crime (per 100k, state avg) 2,000 state #83 of 200
Local amenities & recreation Metric Value Scope US rank Grocery stores 120 metro-area #5 of 200 Parks 60 Hiking areas 15 Golf courses 15 Shooting ranges 4 Lakes 4
Permits Metric Value Scope US rank Building permit difficulty (1–5) 2 state #1 of 200 Permit detail Generally easy
US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.
Salaries by occupation in Columbus Local median pay, BLS OEWS. All occupations →
Occupation Median pay Dentists $153,800 Marketing Managers $133,190 Financial Managers $132,840 Pharmacists $125,610 Human Resources Managers $116,060 Software Developers $111,400 Physician Assistants $107,660 Lawyers $105,060 Physical Therapists $99,380 Construction Managers $86,800 Data Scientists $83,060 Web Developers $79,630 Civil Engineers $76,680 General & Operations Managers $76,590 Registered Nurses $74,550 Accountants & Auditors $69,970 Dental Hygienists $64,820 Elementary School Teachers $59,950 Graphic Designers $50,720 Heavy & Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $49,220 Police & Sheriff's Patrol Officers $47,540 Electricians $47,280 Plumbers, Pipefitters & Steamfitters $45,310 Carpenters $42,230 Welders, Cutters & Solderers $39,680 Real Estate Sales Agents $37,250 Medical Assistants $35,250
Cities in the Columbus area
What your paycheck is really worth, city by city — cost of living, taxes,
housing and pay across 200 US metros and 3,220 towns.
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Estimates for guidance only — not financial or legal advice. Live/official data:
cost-of-living & grocery (BEA RPP); home price, rent, inventory, days-on-market (Zillow);
income & property tax (US Census ACS); electricity (US EIA); plant-hardiness (USDA);
crime (FBI UCR); local grocery, park, hiking, golf, shooting-range, lake & DMV
counts from Google Maps public listings.
Taxes (Tax Foundation) and insurance, emissions, permits, climate, wages and fuel use
sourced state/metro figures.
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