Living in Columbus, Kansas
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Columbus · Census data 2020–2024
Columbus has 2,881 residents with a median age of 38.5. The median household income is $37,961 (49% lower than the Kansas median), the median home value is $94,100, the median rent is $774/month.
Columbus at a glance
- Population
- 2,881
- Median age
- 38.5State: 37.4
- Median household income
- $37,961State: $74,275
- Median home value
- $94,100State: $217,200
- Median rent
- $774/moState: $1,060
- Homeowners
- 67%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 24.2%
- Average commute
- 17 min
Is Columbus a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 57% lower than the state median; an average commute of 17 minutes; unemployment of 3%.
Cons: Median household income 49% lower than the Kansas median; a poverty rate of 21.3%.
The weather is best in May–June and September–October.
Cost of living in Columbus
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Columbus the median home value is $94,100, 72% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $774 per month, which is 33.8% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,124 a month in housing costs.
Columbus median household income
The median household income in Columbus is $37,961 and the income per person is $27,763. 21.3% of residents live below the poverty line (Kansas: 11.3%).
Housing in Columbus: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 1,434
- Owner-occupied
- 67%
- Renter-occupied
- 33%
- Vacant
- 5.4%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1961
- Average household size
- 2.06
Columbus demographics
- Population
- 2,881
- Median age
- 38.5
- Under 18
- 24.1%
- 65 and older
- 20.7%
- Households
- 1,357
- Foreign-born
- 0.8%
- Veterans
- 5.8%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Columbus ›
Education in Columbus
24.2% of adults 25 and older in Columbus have a bachelor's degree or higher (Kansas: 35.6%), and 11% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Columbus
- Unemployment rate
- 3%State: 3.9%
- Average commute
- 17 minState: 20 min
- Work from home
- 1.6%
- Drive alone
- 87.1%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 0.3%
- Homes with broadband
- 88%
Columbus vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus | 2,881 | $37,961 | $94,100 | $774 |
| Scammon | 371 | $55,833 | $69,500 | $581 |
| West Mineral | 154 | $35,417 | $42,900 | $894 |
| Riverton | 769 | $90,365 | $144,000 | — |
| Weir | 855 | $58,828 | $78,300 | — |
| Lowell | 278 | $90,806 | $103,600 | $1,008 |
| Cherokee | 699 | $56,154 | $85,300 | $725 |
| Baxter Springs | 3,855 | $51,404 | $92,900 | $754 |
| Galena | 2,754 | $49,006 | $78,500 | $692 |
More for people moving to Columbus
Columbus ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Columbus: FAQ
What is the median household income in Columbus, KS?
The median household income in Columbus is $37,961, 49% lower than the Kansas median of $74,275 (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 $94,100, compared with $217,200 in Kansas.
How much is rent in Columbus?
The median gross rent in Columbus is $774 per month, about 33.8% of household income.
Is Columbus, KS a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 57% lower than the state median; an average commute of 17 minutes; unemployment of 3%. Minuses: median household income 49% lower than the Kansas median; a poverty rate of 21.3%.
What is the median age in Columbus?
The median age in Columbus is 38.5 years (Kansas: 37.4).
How long is the commute in Columbus?
The average commute to work in Columbus is 17 minutes; 1.6% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Columbus?
The unemployment rate in Columbus is 3% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Columbus?
24.2% 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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