Living in Columbus, Nebraska
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Columbus · Census data 2020–2024
Columbus has 24,488 residents with a median age of 37.4. The median household income is $64,626 (15% lower than the Nebraska median), the median home value is $213,600, the median rent is $892/month.
Columbus at a glance
- Population
- 24,488
- Median age
- 37.4State: 37.2
- Median household income
- $64,626State: $76,475
- Median home value
- $213,600State: $238,600
- Median rent
- $892/moState: $1,072
- Homeowners
- 66.1%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 21.8%
- Average commute
- 15 min
Is Columbus a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 10% lower than the state median; an average commute of 15 minutes; unemployment of 2.4%.
Cons: Median household income 15% lower than the Nebraska median; a poverty rate of 11.3%.
The weather is best in May–June and August–September.
Cost of living in Columbus
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Columbus the median home value is $213,600, 36% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $892 per month, which is 26% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,563 a month in housing costs.
Columbus median household income
The median household income in Columbus is $64,626 and the income per person is $34,527. 11.3% of residents live below the poverty line (Nebraska: 10.6%).
Housing in Columbus: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 10,303
- Owner-occupied
- 66.1%
- Renter-occupied
- 33.9%
- Vacant
- 4.4%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1972
- Average household size
- 2.45
Columbus demographics
- Population
- 24,488
- Median age
- 37.4
- Under 18
- 26.5%
- 65 and older
- 17.7%
- Households
- 9,850
- Foreign-born
- 14.3%
- Veterans
- 5.6%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Columbus ›
Education in Columbus
21.8% of adults 25 and older in Columbus have a bachelor's degree or higher (Nebraska: 34.6%), and 5.9% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Columbus
- Unemployment rate
- 2.4%State: 3%
- Average commute
- 15 minState: 19 min
- Work from home
- 4.4%
- Drive alone
- 79.6%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 2.4%
- Homes with broadband
- 88.4%
Columbus vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus | 24,488 | $64,626 | $213,600 | $892 |
| Lakeview | 447 | $138,397 | $317,200 | — |
| Duncan | 612 | $74,688 | $162,500 | $1,313 |
| Bellwood | 492 | $72,639 | $147,900 | $786 |
| Platte Center | 318 | $76,250 | $131,700 | $1,063 |
| Monroe | 252 | $75,500 | $126,000 | $960 |
| Schuyler | 6,578 | $80,399 | $145,700 | $1,049 |
| Octavia | 153 | $59,375 | $100,000 | — |
| Rising City | 256 | $90,139 | $135,900 | $580 |
More for people moving to Columbus
Columbus ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Columbus: FAQ
What is the median household income in Columbus, NE?
The median household income in Columbus is $64,626, 15% lower than the Nebraska median of $76,475 (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 $213,600, compared with $238,600 in Nebraska.
How much is rent in Columbus?
The median gross rent in Columbus is $892 per month, about 26% of household income.
Is Columbus, NE a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 10% lower than the state median; an average commute of 15 minutes; unemployment of 2.4%. Minuses: median household income 15% lower than the Nebraska median; a poverty rate of 11.3%.
What is the median age in Columbus?
The median age in Columbus is 37.4 years (Nebraska: 37.2).
How long is the commute in Columbus?
The average commute to work in Columbus is 15 minutes; 4.4% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Columbus?
The unemployment rate in Columbus is 2.4% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Columbus?
21.8% 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.
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