Living in Columbia, California
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Columbia · Census data 2020–2024
Columbia has 2,235 residents with a median age of 49.8. The median household income is $58,520 (41% lower than the California median), the median home value is $376,200, the median rent is $1,217/month.
Columbia at a glance
- Population
- 2,235
- Median age
- 49.8State: 37.9
- Median household income
- $58,520State: $99,122
- Median home value
- $376,200State: $734,700
- Median rent
- $1,217/moState: $2,036
- Homeowners
- 70.3%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 23.6%
- Average commute
- 28 min
Is Columbia a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 49% lower than the state median; an average commute of 28 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 41% lower than the California median; unemployment of 10%; a poverty rate of 15.5%.
The weather is best in May–June and September–October.
Cost of living in Columbia
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Columbia the median home value is $376,200, 13% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,217 per month, which is 46.4% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $2,319 a month in housing costs.
Columbia median household income
The median household income in Columbia is $58,520 and the income per person is $30,566. 15.5% of residents live below the poverty line (California: 12%).
Housing in Columbia: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 1,276
- Owner-occupied
- 70.3%
- Renter-occupied
- 29.7%
- Vacant
- 22.2%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1979
- Average household size
- 2.12
Columbia demographics
- Population
- 2,235
- Median age
- 49.8
- Under 18
- 18.5%
- 65 and older
- 32.7%
- Households
- 993
- Foreign-born
- 4.6%
- Veterans
- 12.8%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Columbia ›
Education in Columbia
23.6% of adults 25 and older in Columbia have a bachelor's degree or higher (California: 37.1%), and 6.7% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Columbia
- Unemployment rate
- 10%State: 6.6%
- Average commute
- 28 minState: 29 min
- Work from home
- 20.4%
- Drive alone
- 64.9%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 10.7%
- Homes with broadband
- 86.5%
Columbia vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia | 2,235 | $58,520 | $376,200 | $1,217 |
| Tuttletown | 440 | $116,652 | $604,400 | — |
| Sonora | 4,919 | $82,690 | $422,300 | $1,238 |
| Jamestown | 3,265 | $57,276 | $374,600 | $944 |
| East Sonora | 2,651 | $77,574 | $335,100 | $1,309 |
| Phoenix Lake | 4,794 | $103,125 | $488,500 | $1,313 |
| Douglas Flat | 181 | $128,434 | $337,400 | — |
| Murphys | 1,951 | $73,571 | $525,700 | $1,523 |
| Mono Vista | 3,675 | $85,769 | $427,800 | $2,104 |
More for people moving to Columbia
Columbia ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Columbia: FAQ
What is the median household income in Columbia, CA?
The median household income in Columbia is $58,520, 41% lower than the California median of $99,122 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Columbia?
The median home value in Columbia is $376,200, compared with $734,700 in California.
How much is rent in Columbia?
The median gross rent in Columbia is $1,217 per month, about 46.4% of household income.
Is Columbia, CA a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 49% lower than the state median; an average commute of 28 minutes. Minuses: median household income 41% lower than the California median; unemployment of 10%; a poverty rate of 15.5%.
What is the median age in Columbia?
The median age in Columbia is 49.8 years (California: 37.9).
How long is the commute in Columbia?
The average commute to work in Columbia is 28 minutes; 20.4% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Columbia?
The unemployment rate in Columbia is 10% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Columbia?
23.6% of adults in Columbia have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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