salaryColumbus is the 2nd-largest city in Georgia that we track, with 203,711 residents. Rent is lower than in 68% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.1 years of household income.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $52,560 a year. That is $25 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Georgia cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Georgia. It is number 50 of 168 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
Compare Columbus with other big cities
Compare Columbus to 149 other cities →
How much do households earn in Columbus?
Share of households by yearly income. 16.7% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Columbus
| Size | Columbus | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $891 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $940 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,116 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,292 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,702 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Columbus overall?
Everyday prices in the Columbus metro area are 11% below the U.S. average (index 89.3, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Columbus
Life in Columbus
What jobs pay in Columbus
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $132,790 | 11.9% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $121,530 | 13.0% |
| Physician Assistant | $117,030 | 13.5% |
| Software Developer | $116,150 | 13.6% |
| Lawyer | $104,120 | 15.1% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $103,410 | 15.2% |
| Registered Nurse | $82,500 | 19.1% |
| Operations Manager | $82,330 | 19.2% |
| Dental Hygienist | $80,240 | 19.7% |
| Civil Engineer | $77,600 | 20.3% |
| Accountant | $73,640 | 21.4% |
| Market Research Analyst | $68,080 | 23.2% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $61,360 | 25.7% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $59,330 | 26.6% |
| Electrician | $50,730 | 31.1% |
| Police Officer | $49,990 | 31.5% |
| Firefighter | $48,770 | 32.3% |
| Truck Driver | $47,570 | 33.1% |
| Plumber | $47,410 | 33.3% |
| HVAC Technician | $46,780 | 33.7% |
| Carpenter | $45,070 | 35.0% |
| Customer Service Representative | $37,330 | 42.2% |
| Warehouse Worker | $36,910 | 42.7% |
| Medical Assistant | $36,050 | 43.7% |
| Nursing Assistant | $34,970 | 45.1% |
| Restaurant Cook | $30,470 | 51.7% |
| Retail Salesperson | $28,180 | 56.0% |
| Cashier | $26,980 | 58.4% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $20,800 | 75.8% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Columbus?
About the same. Renting and owning cost within $31 of each other each month.
Owning assumes a typical $193,900 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $19,390 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Columbus, GA?
Renting in Columbus costs a median of about $1,314 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Georgia median is $1,667.
How much do I need to make to live in Columbus?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $52,560 a year, or $25 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Columbus cheap or expensive?
Columbus is rated OK: rent takes 25.2% of the typical household income of $62,632. It ranks 50th cheapest of 168 Georgia cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Columbus?
The median homeowner in Columbus pays $1,660 a year in property taxes, about 0.86% of the median home value.
Is Columbus 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 Columbus?
The median home value in Columbus is $193,900, about 3.1 times the typical yearly household income.
203,711 people live in Columbus. Numbers are typical (middle) values.