A+
5%
Overall NAT. AVG.
1%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
7%
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 Columbia Tennessee National
Cost of living9589100
Goods & Services9994100
Groceries9798100
Health care8988100
Housing9380100
Transportation9189100
Utilities9193100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Columbia, TN

Getting a feel for the cost of living in Columbia 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 Columbia is 95, which is 5% 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.

The cost of living in Columbia is about average when compared to all other cities across the nation. You can expect that everyday items like food, goods and services and utility bills will be no more expensive than any other average city. Residents can anticipate living expenses that remain in line with the national average, ensuring a manageable financial burden, making it an attractive choice for those seeking affordability without the constraints of higher everyday expenditures.

Is Columbia Affordable?

Wondering if Columbia is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In Columbia, for example, the median home price is 8.4% lower than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 4.3% lower than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Columbia boasting a median household income of $50,378, which is 8.9% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Columbia?

Healthcare: The costs associated with healthcare and insurance premiums can exhibit notable disparities based on the city or state of residence. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for medical appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs and specialized medical care expenses all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In Columbia, healthcare costs are 10.7% lower than the national average.

Transportation: In situations where public transportation is limited or nonexistent, local residents may be required to own and maintain their own vehicles, contributing to an elevated cost of living. Monthly expenditures may encompass fuel costs, insurance premiums, routine vehicle upkeep and possibly lease or financing payments. In Columbia, the transportation index is 8.7% lower than the national average.

Housing: When everyone's vying for homes in popular areas, it drives up property prices and rents, making the overall cost of living surge. On the flip side, in less sought-after locales, where housing demand is low, prices tend to dip, resulting in a more economical cost of living. In Columbia, the housing index comes in at 7.2% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Columbia cost of living data displayed above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index to provide a useful and reasonably accurate measure of living cost differences in urban areas. The index takes into account data from 300 independent researches, covering more than 60 goods and services across 6 different categories, to create an overall index for each area, with 100 being the average. The C2ER index does not include sales or income tax rates in their data, however AreaVibes does include both income and sales tax rates in the overall cost of living score for each area.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Columbia is 6% higher than the Tennessee average
  • The cost of living in Columbia is 5% lower than the national average
  • Columbia housing is 7% lower than the national average
  • Tennessee general sales tax is 37% higher than the national average
  • Tennessee state income tax is 100% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Columbia

See all the best places to live around Columbia

Compare Columbia, TN 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$68,864$5,739$1,607$2,066
      Renters$32,082$2,674$749$963
      The percentage of monthly income spent on housing related expenses can help predict the affordability of housing in Columbia, TN, 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 Columbia, homeowners have a median income of $68,864. Using that number, a maximum of $1,607 per month should be allocated to housing expenses. For those who are renting instead of owning, the median income is $32,082, which means there is a maximum of $749 to be spent on the costs of renting a home or apartment.

      Tennessee Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Tennessee 7% 9.75%

      Tennessee Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Tennessee 0% 0%

      Goods & Services

      Item Columbia National avg. Difference
      Haircut $16.56$24.2631.8%
      Beauty Salon $38.22$45.5616.1%
      Toothpaste $3.54$3.704.4%
      Shampoo $1.05$1.2818.0%
      Movie $14.99$12.1323.5%
      Bowling $7.11$18.0060.5%

      Groceries

      Item Columbia National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.76$5.841.4%
      Fried Chicken $1.45$1.577.6%
      Milk $4.39$4.676.0%
      Potatoes $5.03$4.931.9%
      Pizza $10.79$12.0910.7%
      Beer $10.06$10.413.4%

      Health Care

      Item Columbia National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $102.44$125.6818.5%
      Doctor $133.17$135.781.9%
      Dentist $86.34$113.2923.8%
      Ibuprofen $10.21$10.654.2%
      Lipitor $452.02$468.603.5%

      Housing

      Item Columbia National avg. Difference
      Home Price $169,200.00$184,700.008.4%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,627.51$2,346.6930.6%
      Apartment Rent $908.00$949.004.3%

      Transportation

      Item Columbia National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.11$3.4610.0%
      Tire Balancing $37.50$59.9237.4%

      Utilities

      Item Columbia National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $187.59$193.993.3%
      Phone $195.99$192.251.9%
      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.
      Summertown, TN5218119.2%
      Mount Pleasant, TN4,8998614.2%
      Lewisburg, TN12,1508812.1%
      Spring Hill, TN41,79711514.6%
      Thompson's Station, TN6,11613232.3%
      Columbia, TN39,515955.2%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Lake Oswego, OR39,47616767.4%
      Carol Stream, IL39,44711414.3%
      Los Banos, CA39,44312525.2%
      Plant City, FL39,437982.3%
      Meadow Woods, FL39,42411110.7%
      Columbia, TN39,515955.2%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.