Living in Columbus, Mississippi
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Columbus · Census data 2020–2024
Columbus has 23,348 residents with a median age of 41.1. The median household income is $42,235 (25% lower than the Mississippi median), the median home value is $125,700, the median rent is $897/month.
Columbus at a glance
- Population
- 23,348
- Median age
- 41.1State: 38.6
- Median household income
- $42,235State: $56,447
- Median home value
- $125,700State: $169,800
- Median rent
- $897/moState: $954
- Homeowners
- 47.8%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 26.2%
- Average commute
- 19 min
Is Columbus a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 26% lower than the state median; an average commute of 19 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 25% lower than the Mississippi median; unemployment of 8.7%; a poverty rate of 21.3%.
The weather is best in April–May 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 $125,700, 62% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $897 per month, which is 31.3% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,131 a month in housing costs.
Columbus median household income
The median household income in Columbus is $42,235 and the income per person is $28,243. 21.3% of residents live below the poverty line (Mississippi: 18.9%).
Housing in Columbus: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 11,850
- Owner-occupied
- 47.8%
- Renter-occupied
- 52.2%
- Vacant
- 15.6%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1974
- Average household size
- 2.20
Columbus demographics
- Population
- 23,348
- Median age
- 41.1
- Under 18
- 18.1%
- 65 and older
- 20.5%
- Households
- 10,006
- Foreign-born
- 2.6%
- Veterans
- 8.2%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Columbus ›
Education in Columbus
26.2% of adults 25 and older in Columbus have a bachelor's degree or higher (Mississippi: 25.1%), and 9.9% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Columbus
- Unemployment rate
- 8.7%State: 5.8%
- Average commute
- 19 minState: 26 min
- Work from home
- 5.4%
- Drive alone
- 87.8%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 1.5%
- Homes with broadband
- 82.4%
Columbus vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus | 23,348 | $42,235 | $125,700 | $897 |
| New Hope | 3,952 | $79,577 | $238,200 | $989 |
| Columbus AFB | 1,293 | $69,539 | — | $1,500 |
| Macedonia | 441 | $31,453 | $110,800 | — |
| Caledonia | 1,414 | $82,806 | $203,300 | $1,042 |
| Artesia | 361 | $19,620 | $101,800 | $397 |
| West Point | 9,900 | $38,064 | $153,900 | $746 |
| Millport | 1,412 | $76,875 | $104,400 | $650 |
| Crawford | 255 | $39,286 | $45,700 | $880 |
More for people moving to Columbus
Columbus ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Columbus: FAQ
What is the median household income in Columbus, MS?
The median household income in Columbus is $42,235, 25% 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 Columbus?
The median home value in Columbus is $125,700, compared with $169,800 in Mississippi.
How much is rent in Columbus?
The median gross rent in Columbus is $897 per month, about 31.3% of household income.
Is Columbus, MS a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 26% lower than the state median; an average commute of 19 minutes. Minuses: median household income 25% lower than the Mississippi median; unemployment of 8.7%; a poverty rate of 21.3%.
What is the median age in Columbus?
The median age in Columbus is 41.1 years (Mississippi: 38.6).
How long is the commute in Columbus?
The average commute to work in Columbus is 19 minutes; 5.4% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Columbus?
The unemployment rate in Columbus is 8.7% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Columbus?
26.2% 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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