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.
Crime
With a lower than average crime rate per 100,000 people, this area could be considered a very safe place to live. Crime rates are based on both violent and property crimes.
Housing
This area has received high scores in the housing category. This could be due to a positive home affordability ratio, high appreciation rates or elevated home values.
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.
Schools
Lower than average education levels, poor reading and math scores, as well as the inaccessibility of local elementary and high schools could all be factors in the low schools score.
Ratings
AreaVibes conducted surveys and polls with locals who live in the area. The results were not favorable for walkability of amenities, parks, public transit and the overall sense of community in the area.
Located in the state of Mississippi, Columbus is a mid-sized city with a population of 24,360 residents. Columbus is not known to have a high population (over 15 years old) of married people. At only 43% married, this city falls well below the national average. If you're not a fan of traffic congestion and long commute times to work, Columbus is the place to be. Commutes to work here are shorter, with an average one-way commute time taking only 19 minutes, significantly lower than the national average of 26 minutes.
Are you trying to figure out if living in Columbus is the right fit for your lifestyle? To ensure a fulfilling experience before moving to any new city in Mississippi, you will probably want to make sure that you check all of the most important boxes. Several key factors deserve attention. For one, safety is paramount, ensuring that your new area is low in crime is key. Proximity to workplaces or schools minimizes commute times and fosters convenience. Access to essential amenities like parks, grocery stores, food, fitness, shops and healthcare facilities enhances daily life. Efficient public transportation options provide mobility and connectivity. The sense of community creates a welcoming and supportive environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere, encompassing the vibe, aesthetics, and lifestyle offerings, contributes to a fulfilling living experience. Considering these elements helps identify the ideal neighborhood for your needs and preferences. With useful information like cost of living, commute, health & safety, housing and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Columbus and in the areas around Columbus is a much easier task.
The livability score in Columbus is 59/100 and the city is ranked in the 34th percentile of all cities across America. This is not a favorable rating; as this score ranks among some of the lowest in America. Living in Columbus may not be a pleasant experience. If we consider each of the categories on their own, we see that Columbus ranks well for housing (A). There are some categories that Columbus does not rank well for, including: amenities (F), education (F) and employment (F). It might be worth taking a closer look to find out why.
For home buyers, real estate will be the largest purchase they will ever make and it will also be their most valuable asset. For renters, the monthly rent paid on their Columbus apartments will most likely be their largest expense. Based on tangible metrics like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates, housing in this area has received a score that is well above the average of every other US city. A thriving real estate market can also generate strong local economic activity and job creation.
Being close to public transit, grocery stores, parks and other conveniences are all important when weighing your options for a new home in Columbus. Before you determine if any of these amenities are available in the area, you will also want to know if the real estate prices in Columbus are affordable. Median real estate prices in Columbus come in at $203,658, which is 8.5% higher than the Mississippi average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Columbus, the home price to income ratio is 3.9, which is 25.8% higher than the Mississippi average.
Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.
| Statistic | Columbus | Mississippi | National |
| Average one way commute | 19min | 24min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 85.5% | 84.7% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 5.5% | 9.7% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 0.0% | 0.4% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.2% | 0.1% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 1.6% | 1.5% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 4.9% | 2.2% | 4.6% |
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