Living in Columbia, Mississippi
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Columbia · Census data 2020–2024
Columbia has 6,632 residents with a median age of 41.4. The median household income is $38,507 (32% lower than the Mississippi median), the median home value is $131,700, the median rent is $806/month.
Columbia at a glance
- Population
- 6,632
- Median age
- 41.4State: 38.6
- Median household income
- $38,507State: $56,447
- Median home value
- $131,700State: $169,800
- Median rent
- $806/moState: $954
- Homeowners
- 63.4%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 14.8%
- Average commute
- 20 min
Is Columbia a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 22% lower than the state median; an average commute of 20 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 32% lower than the Mississippi median; unemployment of 8.3%; a poverty rate of 24.5%.
The weather is best in March–April and October–November.
Cost of living in Columbia
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Columbia the median home value is $131,700, 60% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $806 per month, which is 29.2% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,081 a month in housing costs.
Columbia median household income
The median household income in Columbia is $38,507 and the income per person is $19,592. 24.5% of residents live below the poverty line (Mississippi: 18.9%).
Housing in Columbia: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 3,018
- Owner-occupied
- 63.4%
- Renter-occupied
- 36.6%
- Vacant
- 19%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1969
- Average household size
- 2.44
Columbia demographics
- Population
- 6,632
- Median age
- 41.4
- Under 18
- 26.3%
- 65 and older
- 20.7%
- Households
- 2,445
- Foreign-born
- 0.2%
- Veterans
- 5.8%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Columbia ›
Education in Columbia
14.8% of adults 25 and older in Columbia have a bachelor's degree or higher (Mississippi: 25.1%), and 7.9% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Columbia
- Unemployment rate
- 8.3%State: 5.8%
- Average commute
- 20 minState: 26 min
- Work from home
- 8.6%
- Drive alone
- 83.7%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 3.1%
- Homes with broadband
- 83.8%
Columbia vs nearby towns
More for people moving to Columbia
Columbia ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Columbia: FAQ
What is the median household income in Columbia, MS?
The median household income in Columbia is $38,507, 32% lower than the Mississippi median of $56,447 (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 $131,700, compared with $169,800 in Mississippi.
How much is rent in Columbia?
The median gross rent in Columbia is $806 per month, about 29.2% of household income.
Is Columbia, MS a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 22% lower than the state median; an average commute of 20 minutes. Minuses: median household income 32% lower than the Mississippi median; unemployment of 8.3%; a poverty rate of 24.5%.
What is the median age in Columbia?
The median age in Columbia is 41.4 years (Mississippi: 38.6).
How long is the commute in Columbia?
The average commute to work in Columbia is 20 minutes; 8.6% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Columbia?
The unemployment rate in Columbia is 8.3% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Columbia?
14.8% 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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