Living in Columbus, Montana

Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Columbus · Census data 2020–2024

Columbus has 2,003 residents with a median age of 47.2. The median household income is $65,250 (10% lower than the Montana median), the median home value is $282,800, the median rent is $945/month.

Columbus at a glance

Population
2,003
Median age
47.2State: 40.4
Median household income
$65,250State: $72,509
Median home value
$282,800State: $375,800
Median rent
$945/moState: $1,081
Homeowners
76.7%
Bachelor's degree or higher
24%
Average commute
27 min

Is Columbus a good place to live?

Pros: Home values 25% lower than the state median; unemployment of 3.1%; a poverty rate of 11%.

Cons: Median household income 10% lower than the Montana median; an average commute of 27 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 $282,800, 15% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $945 per month, which is 25.3% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,483 a month in housing costs.

Median home value

Columbus$282,800
Montana$375,800
United States$332,700

Median monthly rent

Columbus$945
Montana$1,081
United States$1,413

Columbus median household income

The median household income in Columbus is $65,250 and the income per person is $43,115. 11% of residents live below the poverty line (Montana: 11.5%).

Median household income

Columbus$65,250
Montana$72,509
United States$80,734

Housing in Columbus: homes for sale and rent

Housing units
943
Owner-occupied
76.7%
Renter-occupied
23.3%
Vacant
5.3%Includes seasonal homes
Median year built
1969
Average household size
2.19

Columbus demographics

Population
2,003
Median age
47.2
Under 18
19.1%
65 and older
27.4%
Households
893
Foreign-born
2.9%
Veterans
13.1%Adults 18+

Race and ethnicity

White93.6%
Hispanic or Latino4.2%
Black0%
Asian1.1%

Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Columbus ›

Education in Columbus

24% of adults 25 and older in Columbus have a bachelor's degree or higher (Montana: 35.2%), and 7.5% have a graduate or professional degree.

Bachelor's degree or higher

Columbus24%
Montana35.2%
United States35.7%

Jobs and commute in Columbus

Unemployment rate
3.1%State: 3.6%
Average commute
27 minState: 19 min
Work from home
5.4%
Drive alone
80.1%
Public transit
4.6%
Walk to work
2.3%
Homes with broadband
84.7%

Columbus vs nearby towns

TownPopulationMedian incomeHome valueRent
Columbus2,003$65,250$282,800$945
Absarokee926$77,143$292,000$927
Park City764$54,637$219,500$1,256
Joliet613$77,396$235,500$718
Montaqua145$124,250$467,700—
Roberts191$95,917—$1,375
Laurel7,215$68,474$235,100$974
Fromberg438$64,500$212,500$983

More for people moving to Columbus

Columbus ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›

Living in Columbus: FAQ

What is the median household income in Columbus, MT?

The median household income in Columbus is $65,250, 10% lower than the Montana median of $72,509 (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 $282,800, compared with $375,800 in Montana.

How much is rent in Columbus?

The median gross rent in Columbus is $945 per month, about 25.3% of household income.

Is Columbus, MT a good place to live?

Pluses: home values 25% lower than the state median; unemployment of 3.1%; a poverty rate of 11%. Minuses: median household income 10% lower than the Montana median; an average commute of 27 minutes.

What is the median age in Columbus?

The median age in Columbus is 47.2 years (Montana: 40.4).

How long is the commute in Columbus?

The average commute to work in Columbus is 27 minutes; 5.4% of workers work from home.

What is the unemployment rate in Columbus?

The unemployment rate in Columbus is 3.1% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).

How educated is Columbus?

24% 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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