Living in Columbus, Georgia
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Columbus · Census data 2020–2024
Columbus has 203,711 residents with a median age of 35.4. The median household income is $58,073 (25% lower than the Georgia median), the median home value is $193,900, the median rent is $1,106/month.
Columbus at a glance
- Population
- 203,711
- Median age
- 35.4State: 37.6
- Median household income
- $58,073State: $77,353
- Median home value
- $193,900State: $303,300
- Median rent
- $1,106/moState: $1,393
- Homeowners
- 50.8%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 30.5%
- Average commute
- 21 min
Is Columbus a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 36% lower than the state median; an average commute of 21 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 25% lower than the Georgia median; unemployment of 6.3%; a poverty rate of 19%.
The weather is best in March–April and October–November.
Cost of living in Columbus
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Columbus the median home value is $193,900, 42% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,106 per month, which is 30.3% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,489 a month in housing costs.
Columbus median household income
The median household income in Columbus is $58,073 and the income per person is $33,739. 19% of residents live below the poverty line (Georgia: 13.4%).
Housing in Columbus: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 92,031
- Owner-occupied
- 50.8%
- Renter-occupied
- 49.2%
- Vacant
- 11.5%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1978
- Average household size
- 2.43
Columbus demographics
- Population
- 203,711
- Median age
- 35.4
- Under 18
- 24.9%
- 65 and older
- 14.8%
- Households
- 81,415
- Foreign-born
- 5.1%
- Veterans
- 14%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Columbus ›
Education in Columbus
30.5% of adults 25 and older in Columbus have a bachelor's degree or higher (Georgia: 34.9%), and 12.3% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Columbus
- Unemployment rate
- 6.3%State: 5.1%
- Average commute
- 21 minState: 28 min
- Work from home
- 12.1%
- Drive alone
- 73.1%
- Public transit
- 0.9%
- Walk to work
- 1.7%
- Homes with broadband
- 89.2%
Columbus vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus | 203,711 | $58,073 | $193,900 | $1,106 |
| Ellerslie | 1,011 | $107,384 | $313,000 | — |
| Phenix City | 38,499 | $50,053 | $170,300 | $967 |
| Cataula | 1,522 | $123,920 | $321,200 | — |
| Cusseta-Chattahoochee County unified government | 8,887 | $61,042 | $102,700 | $1,348 |
| Ladonia | 3,346 | $53,441 | $102,000 | $1,040 |
| Smiths Station | 5,496 | $64,669 | $203,300 | $1,012 |
| Waverly Hall | 650 | $75,313 | $158,700 | $1,256 |
| Antioch | 870 | $167,570 | $409,000 | — |
More for people moving to Columbus
Columbus ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Columbus: FAQ
What is the median household income in Columbus, GA?
The median household income in Columbus is $58,073, 25% lower than the Georgia median of $77,353 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Columbus?
The median home value in Columbus is $193,900, compared with $303,300 in Georgia.
How much is rent in Columbus?
The median gross rent in Columbus is $1,106 per month, about 30.3% of household income.
Is Columbus, GA a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 36% lower than the state median; an average commute of 21 minutes. Minuses: median household income 25% lower than the Georgia median; unemployment of 6.3%; a poverty rate of 19%.
What is the median age in Columbus?
The median age in Columbus is 35.4 years (Georgia: 37.6).
How long is the commute in Columbus?
The average commute to work in Columbus is 21 minutes; 12.1% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Columbus?
The unemployment rate in Columbus is 6.3% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Columbus?
30.5% of adults in Columbus 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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