| Index | Columbus | Nebraska | National |
| Cost of living | 93 | 91 | 100 |
| Groceries | 96 | 97 | 100 |
| Health care | 96 | 98 | 100 |
| Housing | 84 | 76 | 100 |
| Transportation | 102 | 99 | 100 |
| Utilities | 96 | 96 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 97 | 97 | 100 |
| Household Items | 95 | 98 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 96 | 96 | 100 |
The cost of living in Columbus affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in Columbus is 93, which is 7% lower than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.
The cost of living in Columbus is about average when compared to all other cities across the nation. You can expect that everyday items like food, household expenses 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.
Locals have the inside scoop on their city. So, we polled 34 residents in Columbus to learn how they view the cost of living. We asked how they felt about the cost of living in their area, and if they thought that prices were increasing, decreasing or staying the same. The verdict? 74% find it reasonable with decreasing prices, but 26% think it's quite pricey, with prices that continue to rise.
Is Columbus an affordable place to live? It's a good question and one that you might want to ask when considering any new city, as affordability can play a huge role in the decision making process. The cost of living index (which we covered above), as well as housing costs and income levels play a vital role in determining the affordability of an area. The median home price in Columbus is 13.2% lower than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 21.7% lower than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Columbus has a median household income of $87,157, which is 7.2% higher than the national average.
Transportation: When public transportation options are limited or non-existent, residents frequently resort to vehicle ownership, which can significantly contribute to the overall cost of living. Monthly financial obligations encompass fuel, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or financing expenses. In Columbus, the transportation index is 1.8% higher than the national average.
Subsidies: Some areas might offer government subsidies or assistance programs that help lower cost of living for residents. These programs can include anything from Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and crop subsidies. Areas that offer less subsidies, could see an increase in their cost of living.
Utilities: Similar to the prices of any other goods or services, utility expenditures can exhibit substantial variability, influenced by factors such as climate, energy sources accessibility, geographical location and state regulations. Costs related to electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can fluctuate, whether higher or lower, contingent on the city or state. In Columbus, the utilities index is 3.7% lower than the national average.
The Columbus cost of living data above is designed around a U.S. average baseline of 100, allowing for easy comparisons of relative living costs. Housing incorporates U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other figures are AI-assisted estimates that account for regional price trends, climate, transportation dynamics, and common everyday expenses. These values are best used as directional city-to-city comparisons.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $108,208 | $9,017 | $2,525 | $3,247 |
| Renters | $54,789 | $4,566 | $1,278 | $1,644 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Nebraska | 5.5% | 7.5% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Nebraska | 2.46% | 6.64% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Richland, NE | 98 | 79 | 20.7% |
| Tarnov, NE | 11 | 79 | 21.0% |
| Duncan, NE | 502 | 82 | 17.6% |
| Monroe, NE | 305 | 83 | 16.7% |
| Bellwood, NE | 423 | 87 | 12.6% |
| Columbus, NE | 24,141 | 93 | 6.7% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Loves Park, IL | 24,142 | 90 | 9.8% |
| Stoneham, MA | 24,138 | 154 | 53.7% |
| Kerrville, TX | 24,145 | 104 | 3.8% |
| Rolling Meadows, IL | 24,129 | 111 | 10.7% |
| Benbrook, TX | 24,155 | 104 | 3.9% |
| Columbus, NE | 24,141 | 93 | 6.7% |
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