Living in Columbia, Pennsylvania
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Columbia · Census data 2020–2024
Columbia has 10,278 residents with a median age of 41.8. The median household income is $54,437 (30% lower than the Pennsylvania median), the median home value is $196,500, the median rent is $1,075/month.
Columbia at a glance
- Population
- 10,278
- Median age
- 41.8State: 40.9
- Median household income
- $54,437State: $77,971
- Median home value
- $196,500State: $254,500
- Median rent
- $1,075/moState: $1,209
- Homeowners
- 52.8%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 17.4%
- Average commute
- 24 min
Is Columbia a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 23% lower than the state median; an average commute of 24 minutes; unemployment of 3.2%.
Cons: Median household income 30% lower than the Pennsylvania median; a poverty rate of 21.4%.
The weather is best in May–June and August–September.
Cost of living in Columbia
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Columbia the median home value is $196,500, 41% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,075 per month, which is 36.3% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,501 a month in housing costs.
Columbia median household income
The median household income in Columbia is $54,437 and the income per person is $33,896. 21.4% of residents live below the poverty line (Pennsylvania: 11.7%).
Housing in Columbia: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 4,936
- Owner-occupied
- 52.8%
- Renter-occupied
- 47.2%
- Vacant
- 7.5%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1938
- Average household size
- 2.20
Columbia demographics
- Population
- 10,278
- Median age
- 41.8
- Under 18
- 17.5%
- 65 and older
- 22.6%
- Households
- 4,568
- Foreign-born
- 3.4%
- Veterans
- 8.4%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Columbia ›
Education in Columbia
17.4% of adults 25 and older in Columbia have a bachelor's degree or higher (Pennsylvania: 35.2%), and 5.4% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Columbia
- Unemployment rate
- 3.2%State: 5.3%
- Average commute
- 24 minState: 26 min
- Work from home
- 5.9%
- Drive alone
- 73.7%
- Public transit
- 0.6%
- Walk to work
- 6.5%
- Homes with broadband
- 83.6%
Columbia vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia | 10,278 | $54,437 | $196,500 | $1,075 |
| West Hempfield | 17,163 | $98,099 | $302,400 | $1,078 |
| Wrightsville | 1,869 | $67,198 | $182,500 | $1,052 |
| Washington Boro | 663 | $107,292 | $236,800 | — |
| Marietta | 2,886 | $54,167 | $211,600 | $1,020 |
| Mountville | 3,004 | $97,206 | $279,700 | $1,131 |
| East Prospect | 853 | $93,438 | $219,700 | $1,300 |
| Maytown | 4,443 | $119,097 | $324,300 | $1,712 |
| East Donegal | 8,689 | $109,158 | $331,300 | $1,528 |
More for people moving to Columbia
Columbia ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Columbia: FAQ
What is the median household income in Columbia, PA?
The median household income in Columbia is $54,437, 30% lower than the Pennsylvania median of $77,971 (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 $196,500, compared with $254,500 in Pennsylvania.
How much is rent in Columbia?
The median gross rent in Columbia is $1,075 per month, about 36.3% of household income.
Is Columbia, PA a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 23% lower than the state median; an average commute of 24 minutes; unemployment of 3.2%. Minuses: median household income 30% lower than the Pennsylvania median; a poverty rate of 21.4%.
What is the median age in Columbia?
The median age in Columbia is 41.8 years (Pennsylvania: 40.9).
How long is the commute in Columbia?
The average commute to work in Columbia is 24 minutes; 5.9% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Columbia?
The unemployment rate in Columbia is 3.2% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Columbia?
17.4% 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.
Last updated: