Living in Columbus, Indiana
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Columbus · Census data 2020–2024
Columbus has 51,824 residents with a median age of 36.5. The median household income is $77,456 (8% higher than the Indiana median), the median home value is $244,200, the median rent is $1,157/month.
Columbus at a glance
- Population
- 51,824
- Median age
- 36.5State: 38.1
- Median household income
- $77,456State: $71,957
- Median home value
- $244,200State: $218,200
- Median rent
- $1,157/moState: $1,062
- Homeowners
- 60.8%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 40%
- Average commute
- 19 min
Is Columbus a good place to live?
Pros: Median household income 8% higher than the Indiana median; an average commute of 19 minutes; a poverty rate of 11.3%.
Cons: Home values 12% higher than the state median; unemployment of 4.7%.
The weather is best in May and August to October.
Cost of living in Columbus
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Columbus the median home value is $244,200, 27% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,157 per month, which is 27% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,475 a month in housing costs.
Columbus median household income
The median household income in Columbus is $77,456 and the income per person is $43,783. 11.3% of residents live below the poverty line (Indiana: 12.3%).
Housing in Columbus: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 23,035
- Owner-occupied
- 60.8%
- Renter-occupied
- 39.2%
- Vacant
- 5.7%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1982
- Average household size
- 2.34
Columbus demographics
- Population
- 51,824
- Median age
- 36.5
- Under 18
- 23.8%
- 65 and older
- 16%
- Households
- 21,726
- Foreign-born
- 15.9%
- Veterans
- 5.4%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Columbus ›
Education in Columbus
40% of adults 25 and older in Columbus have a bachelor's degree or higher (Indiana: 29.5%), and 18.4% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Columbus
- Unemployment rate
- 4.7%State: 4.3%
- Average commute
- 19 minState: 24 min
- Work from home
- 15.6%
- Drive alone
- 71.3%
- Public transit
- 1.2%
- Walk to work
- 1.1%
- Homes with broadband
- 94.3%
Columbus vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus | 51,824 | $77,456 | $244,200 | $1,157 |
| Bethel Village | 393 | $78,750 | $170,700 | — |
| Walesboro | 331 | $122,632 | $202,600 | — |
| Petersville | 134 | $75,208 | $155,400 | — |
| Harrison Lake | 144 | $140,000 | $450,000 | — |
| Clifford | 165 | $58,750 | $125,900 | $776 |
| Mineral Springs | 742 | $115,685 | $232,800 | — |
| Waynesville | 116 | $48,625 | $143,300 | — |
| Grandview Lake | 199 | $250,001 | $861,100 | — |
More for people moving to Columbus
Columbus ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Columbus: FAQ
What is the median household income in Columbus, IN?
The median household income in Columbus is $77,456, 8% higher than the Indiana median of $71,957 (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 $244,200, compared with $218,200 in Indiana.
How much is rent in Columbus?
The median gross rent in Columbus is $1,157 per month, about 27% of household income.
Is Columbus, IN a good place to live?
Pluses: median household income 8% higher than the Indiana median; an average commute of 19 minutes; a poverty rate of 11.3%. Minuses: home values 12% higher than the state median; unemployment of 4.7%.
What is the median age in Columbus?
The median age in Columbus is 36.5 years (Indiana: 38.1).
How long is the commute in Columbus?
The average commute to work in Columbus is 19 minutes; 15.6% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Columbus?
The unemployment rate in Columbus is 4.7% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Columbus?
40% 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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