Living in Columbus, Minnesota
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Columbus · Census data 2020–2024
Columbus has 4,248 residents with a median age of 44.9. The median household income is $123,194 (38% higher than the Minnesota median), the median home value is $460,200, the median rent is $1,653/month.
Columbus at a glance
- Population
- 4,248
- Median age
- 44.9State: 38.8
- Median household income
- $123,194State: $89,062
- Median home value
- $460,200State: $329,300
- Median rent
- $1,653/moState: $1,280
- Homeowners
- 88.7%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 28.8%
- Average commute
- 29 min
Is Columbus a good place to live?
Pros: Median household income 38% higher than the Minnesota median; unemployment of 2.2%; a poverty rate of 3.5%.
Cons: Home values 40% higher than the state median; an average commute of 29 minutes.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Columbus
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Columbus the median home value is $460,200, 38% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,653 per month, which is 30.9% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $2,424 a month in housing costs.
Columbus median household income
The median household income in Columbus is $123,194 and the income per person is $46,631. 3.5% of residents live below the poverty line (Minnesota: 9.3%).
Housing in Columbus: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 1,730
- Owner-occupied
- 88.7%
- Renter-occupied
- 11.3%
- Vacant
- 5.3%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1984
- Average household size
- 2.59
Columbus demographics
- Population
- 4,248
- Median age
- 44.9
- Under 18
- 19.8%
- 65 and older
- 19.8%
- Households
- 1,639
- Foreign-born
- 3.2%
- Veterans
- 7%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Columbus ›
Education in Columbus
28.8% of adults 25 and older in Columbus have a bachelor's degree or higher (Minnesota: 39.4%), and 7.8% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Columbus
- Unemployment rate
- 2.2%State: 4.1%
- Average commute
- 29 minState: 23 min
- Work from home
- 14.1%
- Drive alone
- 78.7%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 1.5%
- Homes with broadband
- 91.8%
Columbus vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus | 4,248 | $123,194 | $460,200 | $1,653 |
| Ham Lake | 16,702 | $120,135 | $442,500 | $1,173 |
| Lino Lakes | 22,113 | $127,181 | $407,200 | $1,874 |
| Centerville | 3,935 | $122,541 | $376,900 | $1,398 |
| Forest Lake | 20,729 | $92,944 | $393,500 | $1,421 |
| Blaine | 72,488 | $106,801 | $352,400 | $1,705 |
| Circle Pines | 4,968 | $101,800 | $293,600 | $1,496 |
| Lexington | 2,770 | $75,347 | $289,800 | $1,573 |
| East Bethel | 12,115 | $110,000 | $363,900 | $1,695 |
More for people moving to Columbus
Columbus ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Columbus: FAQ
What is the median household income in Columbus, MN?
The median household income in Columbus is $123,194, 38% higher than the Minnesota median of $89,062 (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 $460,200, compared with $329,300 in Minnesota.
How much is rent in Columbus?
The median gross rent in Columbus is $1,653 per month, about 30.9% of household income.
Is Columbus, MN a good place to live?
Pluses: median household income 38% higher than the Minnesota median; unemployment of 2.2%; a poverty rate of 3.5%. Minuses: home values 40% higher than the state median; an average commute of 29 minutes.
What is the median age in Columbus?
The median age in Columbus is 44.9 years (Minnesota: 38.8).
How long is the commute in Columbus?
The average commute to work in Columbus is 29 minutes; 14.1% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Columbus?
The unemployment rate in Columbus is 2.2% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Columbus?
28.8% 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.
Last updated: