A+
18%
Overall NAT. AVG.
14%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
31%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Columbus Mississippi National
Cost of living8283100
Goods & Services8692100
Groceries9697100
Health care8698100
Housing6963100
Transportation8988100
Utilities8586100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Columbus, MS

Getting a feel for the cost of living in Columbus is essential for anyone planning to relocate, as it empowers them to make informed financial decisions, secure a comfortable lifestyle and maintain financial stability in their new environment. The cost of living in Columbus is 82, which is 18% lower than the national average. Relocating individuals may need to adjust their savings and investment strategies based on the cost of living in the new location. It influences decisions about retirement planning, investments and financial goals.

Everyday necessities such as clothing, personal hygiene products and recreational activities collectively contribute to the overall cost of living. The favorable news is that in Columbus, these essential goods and services are priced 14.3% below the national average. This translates to the ability to procure essential items and indulge in leisure activities without depleting one's financial resources excessively. With the resulting savings, individuals have the opportunity to allocate additional funds towards their savings or other financial objectives.

Is Columbus Affordable?

Is Columbus affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take Columbus, for instance, where the median home price falls 37.7% lower than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 15.8% lower than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Columbus flaunting a median household income of $34,551, 37.5% lower than the national norm.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Columbus?

Utilities: As with the prices of anything else, utility costs can exhibit significant variations, contingent on factors like climate, energy source availability, geographic location and state regulations. The expenses associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can fluctuate, either upward or downward, depending on the particular city or state. In Columbus, the utilities index registers 15.4% lower than the national average.

Transportation: If public transportation is limited or not available, residents may need to own and maintain vehicles, which can add to the cost of living. Gas, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or finance payments will all need to be paid on a monthly basis. In Columbus, the transportation index is 10.8% lower than the national average.

Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can undergo substantial fluctuations based on the city or state of residence. Elements such as the availability of healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket costs for medical consultations, dental expenses, prescription medication charges and specialized medical care fees all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In Columbus, healthcare costs are 14.4% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data in Columbus displayed above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, which serves as a practical tool for comparing living expenses across urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, this index aggregates data from over 300 independent researchers, encompassing more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. The weightings assigned to cost differences rely on government survey data that tracks the spending habits of professional and executive households. It's worth noting that the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, while AreaVibes integrates tax rates into the overall cost of living evaluation for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Columbus is 1% lower than the Mississippi average
  • The cost of living in Columbus is 18% lower than the national average
  • Columbus housing is 31% lower than the national average
  • Mississippi general sales tax is 37% higher than the national average
  • Mississippi state income tax is 100% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Columbus

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Compare Columbus, MS Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$52,746$4,396$1,231$1,583
      Renters$21,868$1,822$510$656
      The percentage of monthly income spent on housing related expenses can help predict the affordability of housing in Columbus, MS, as well as what the overall cost of living might be. Generally, a good rule to follow is that the debt-to-income (DTI) level you want to maintain is 28 percent or less of your income on your rent or mortgage payments and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses and debts. In Columbus, homeowners have a median income of $52,746. Using that number, a maximum of $1,231 per month should be allocated to housing expenses. For those who are renting instead of owning, the median income is $21,868, which means there is a maximum of $510 to be spent on the costs of renting a home or apartment.

      Mississippi Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Mississippi 7% 7.25%

      Mississippi Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Mississippi 0% 5%

      Goods & Services

      Item Columbus National avg. Difference
      Haircut $23.45$24.263.4%
      Beauty Salon $26.75$45.5641.3%
      Toothpaste $3.71$3.700.3%
      Shampoo $1.06$1.2817.2%
      Movie $10.65$12.1312.3%
      Bowling $12.50$18.0030.6%

      Groceries

      Item Columbus National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.01$5.842.9%
      Fried Chicken $1.62$1.573.3%
      Milk $4.51$4.673.4%
      Potatoes $5.06$4.932.5%
      Pizza $11.06$12.098.5%
      Beer $9.17$10.4112.0%

      Health Care

      Item Columbus National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $120.17$125.684.4%
      Doctor $78.94$135.7841.9%
      Dentist $108.33$113.294.4%
      Ibuprofen $10.05$10.655.7%
      Lipitor $486.28$468.603.8%

      Housing

      Item Columbus National avg. Difference
      Home Price $115,100.00$184,700.0037.7%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,755.69$2,346.6925.2%
      Apartment Rent $799.00$949.0015.8%

      Transportation

      Item Columbus National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.00$3.4613.4%
      Tire Balancing $57.33$59.924.3%

      Utilities

      Item Columbus National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $148.63$193.9923.4%
      Phone $186.87$192.252.8%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Macedonia, AL1998812.1%
      Crawford, MS4237623.7%
      Artesia, MS3567524.8%
      West Point, MS10,5177921.4%
      Caledonia, MS1,5138515.3%
      Columbus, MS23,8538217.8%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Faribault, MN23,853963.7%
      Lathrop, CA23,86314040.4%
      Calabasas, CA23,842233132.6%
      Saginaw, TX23,8351077.1%
      Forney, TX23,8711099.2%
      Columbus, MS23,8538217.8%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.