salaryColumbia is the 4th-largest city in Missouri that we track, with 128,548 residents. Rent is lower than in 66% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 4.0 years of household income. Commutes are short, about 16.4 minutes. It is a highly educated city: 56.7% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $54,280 a year. That is $26 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Missouri cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Missouri. It is number 83 of 142 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Columbia?
Share of households by yearly income. 23.6% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Columbia
| Size | Columbia | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $711 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,043 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,141 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,400 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,575 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Columbia overall?
Everyday prices in the Columbia metro area are 11% below the U.S. average (index 89.4, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Columbia
Life in Columbia
What jobs pay in Columbia
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $139,430 | 11.7% |
| Physician Assistant | $132,220 | 12.3% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $128,930 | 12.6% |
| Lawyer | $107,890 | 15.1% |
| Software Developer | $101,020 | 16.1% |
| Dental Hygienist | $86,300 | 18.9% |
| Registered Nurse | $84,330 | 19.3% |
| Civil Engineer | $83,950 | 19.4% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $77,760 | 20.9% |
| Operations Manager | $75,410 | 21.6% |
| Accountant | $73,070 | 22.3% |
| Market Research Analyst | $64,720 | 25.2% |
| Police Officer | $62,080 | 26.2% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $61,670 | 26.4% |
| Electrician | $61,500 | 26.5% |
| HVAC Technician | $58,880 | 27.7% |
| Plumber | $58,010 | 28.1% |
| Carpenter | $56,160 | 29.0% |
| Truck Driver | $52,820 | 30.8% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $47,920 | 34.0% |
| Medical Assistant | $41,350 | 39.4% |
| Nursing Assistant | $41,290 | 39.4% |
| Customer Service Representative | $41,210 | 39.5% |
| Warehouse Worker | $38,070 | 42.8% |
| Restaurant Cook | $35,240 | 46.2% |
| Retail Salesperson | $31,390 | 51.9% |
| Cashier | $29,910 | 54.4% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $29,250 | 55.7% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Columbia?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $618 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $284,600 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $28,460 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Columbia, MO?
Renting in Columbia costs a median of about $1,357 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Missouri median is $1,285.
How much do I need to make to live in Columbia?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $54,280 a year, or $26 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Columbia cheap or expensive?
Columbia is rated OK: rent takes 22.7% of the typical household income of $71,718. It ranks 83rd cheapest of 142 Missouri cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Columbia?
The median homeowner in Columbia pays $2,550 a year in property taxes, about 0.90% of the median home value.
Is Columbia more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 11% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Columbia?
The median home value in Columbia is $284,600, about 4.0 times the typical yearly household income.
128,548 people live in Columbia. Numbers are typical (middle) values.