salaryRent is lower than in 77% 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 minutes.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $47,480 a year. That is $23 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Mississippi cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Mississippi. It is number 34 of 66 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Columbus?
Share of households by yearly income. 10.6% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Columbus
| Size | Columbus | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $794 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $727 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $945 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,081 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,027 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Columbus overall?
Everyday prices in Mississippi overall are 13% below the U.S. average (index 87.0, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Columbus, so the Mississippi figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Columbus
Life in Columbus
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Columbus?
Buying is cheaper month to month: about $315 a month less than renting.
Owning assumes a typical $125,700 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $12,570 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Columbus, MS?
Renting in Columbus costs a median of about $1,187 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Mississippi median is $1,187.
How much do I need to make to live in Columbus?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $47,480 a year, or $23 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Columbus cheap or expensive?
Columbus is rated Expensive: rent takes 31.3% of the typical household income of $45,550. It ranks 34th cheapest of 66 Mississippi cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Columbus?
The median homeowner in Columbus pays $1,199 a year in property taxes, about 0.95% of the median home value.
Is Columbus more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in Mississippi are 13% 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 $125,700, about 2.8 times the typical yearly household income.
23,348 people live in Columbus. Numbers are typical (middle) values.