Cost Of Living
The overall cost of living in this area is much lower than average. This includes everyday goods and services, as well as housing, utilities and health care.
Ratings
Local residents have positive things to say about the proximity of restaurants, grocery stores, parks, public transit, friendliness of neighbors, sense of community and overall safety of the area.
Amenities
A majority of amenities are not ideally situated within a reasonable walking distance, which may lead residents to rely on a vehicle or public transportation.
Commute
Public transportation is not readily available in this area and the average commute time to work could also be longer than the national average.
Employment
A low score in the employment category could indicate that this area struggles with high unemployment rates and low household income and income per capita levels.
Columbia is a smaller city located in the state of Mississippi. The city has a population of 6,125 inhabitants. Columbia is mostly populated by White (52%) and Black or African American (44%) ethnic groups. Columbia is not known to have a high population (over 15 years old) of married people. At only 48% married, this city falls well below the national average. On a daily basis, the typical American spends approximately 26 minutes on their one-way work commute. Reduced travel times not only contributes to increased overall happiness, but also affords more opportunities to cherish moments with family and friends. If you're living in Columbia, your commute time will align closely with the national average, spanning a one-way duration of approximately 28 minutes.
Living in Columbia can be a good experience for anyone moving to the town. Having said that, in the state of Mississippi, there are many amazing places to live, so choose wisely! When searching for a new neighborhood, several factors play a vital role in determining its suitability. Safety should be a top priority, ensuring a secure environment with low crime rates. Proximity to your workplace or school helps minimize commuting time and allows for a better work-life balance. Availability of essential amenities such as parks, coffee shops, restaurants, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities contributes to convenience and well-being. Access to reliable public transportation options facilitates easy commuting and connectivity. Additionally, considering the sense of community and the overall atmosphere that resonates with your lifestyle and preferences fosters a harmonious living experience. With useful information like crime, commute, employment and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Columbia and in the areas around Columbia is a much easier task.
Columbia, MS receives 63/100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #143 in Mississippi and #14,895 in the USA. Based on the grades for each individual category, Columbia has been rewarded with high marks for crime (B-) and housing (B). Columbia does not rank well for the following: amenities (F), education (D) and employment (F). It might be a good idea to take a closer look at each category to find out why.
Unemployment rates can vary significantly among cities, impacting job prospects, wage levels and the overall economic health of an area. In Columbia, the unemployment rate stands at 2.2%, suggesting increased job opportunities and a heightened demand for workers. This scenario can lead to higher wages, as the demand for employees outpaces job availability. Importantly, a low unemployment rate often signifies a robust and flourishing local economy.
A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. Columbia excels in the housing sector, scoring high marks based on factors such as median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability. These calculations suggest that the apartment rental and real estate market in the region is exceptionally healthy, highlighting the area's economic vitality and attractiveness to potential homebuyers and renters.
There are many factors that go into deciding if an area is the right fit for your lifestyle. Certain “must haves” like low crime, great schools and nearby amenities are all at the top of most people's lists. But before even considering if those options are attainable, we'll need to know if the real estate in Columbia is actually affordable. The median home price for Columbia homes is $141,381, which is 24.6% lower than the Mississippi average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Columbia, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 3.9, which is 25.8% higher than the Mississippi average.
| Statistic | Columbia | Mississippi | National |
| Average one way commute | 28min | 24min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 89.8% | 84.7% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 6.1% | 9.7% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 0.0% | 0.4% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.0% | 0.1% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 3.0% | 1.5% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 0.5% | 2.2% | 4.6% |
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