salaryRent is lower than in 69% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards. Commutes are short, about 19.4 minutes.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $51,840 a year. That is $25 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Indiana cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Indiana. It is number 79 of 132 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Columbus?
Share of households by yearly income. 29.1% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Columbus
| Size | Columbus | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,130 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,077 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,412 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,358 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,705 | $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 7% below the U.S. average (index 93.0, 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 | $137,330 | 11.3% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $125,780 | 12.4% |
| Physician Assistant | $124,460 | 12.5% |
| Operations Manager | $112,760 | 13.8% |
| Lawyer | $105,790 | 14.7% |
| Software Developer | $104,880 | 14.8% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $103,800 | 15.0% |
| Plumber | $85,930 | 18.1% |
| Dental Hygienist | $84,810 | 18.3% |
| Electrician | $79,670 | 19.5% |
| Accountant | $78,740 | 19.8% |
| Registered Nurse | $77,030 | 20.2% |
| Police Officer | $72,500 | 21.5% |
| Carpenter | $67,780 | 22.9% |
| Market Research Analyst | $66,390 | 23.4% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $62,400 | 24.9% |
| Truck Driver | $57,350 | 27.1% |
| HVAC Technician | $54,490 | 28.5% |
| Medical Assistant | $44,580 | 34.9% |
| Firefighter | $43,510 | 35.7% |
| Customer Service Representative | $42,700 | 36.4% |
| Warehouse Worker | $38,510 | 40.4% |
| Nursing Assistant | $38,260 | 40.6% |
| Retail Salesperson | $29,840 | 52.1% |
| Restaurant Cook | $29,740 | 52.3% |
| Cashier | $29,280 | 53.1% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $26,340 | 59.0% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Columbus?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $398 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $244,200 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $24,420 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Columbus, IN?
Renting in Columbus costs a median of about $1,296 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Indiana median is $1,219.
How much do I need to make to live in Columbus?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $51,840 a year, or $25 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Columbus cheap or expensive?
Columbus is rated Cheap: rent takes 18.6% of the typical household income of $83,536. It ranks 79th cheapest of 132 Indiana cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Columbus?
The median homeowner in Columbus pays $2,037 a year in property taxes, about 0.83% of the median home value.
Is Columbus more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 7% 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 $244,200, about 2.9 times the typical yearly household income.
51,824 people live in Columbus. Numbers are typical (middle) values.