Rows tagged local are specific to Columbus (Census ACS); state rows are state averages; metro-area rows are inherited from Columbus, GA. Home value is ACS owner-reported (not a Zillow sale price).
School score: 4/10 (district Muscogee County · NCES EDFacts)
Cost of living
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Cost-of-living index (US=100)
88.8
metro-area
#14 of 200 metros
Grocery index (US=100)
96.3
metro-area
#96 of 200 metros
Big Mac price (est.)
$5.06
metro-area
#14 of 200 metros
Median household income
$54,561
local
#2834 of 3,220 cities
Median wage (all occupations)
$36,218
local
#2502 of 3,220 cities
Who lives here
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median age
36.1 years
metro-area
#42 of 200 metros
Bachelor's degree or higher (25+)
26.9%
metro-area
#160 of 200 metros
Foreign-born residents
4.5%
metro-area
#172 of 200 metros
Homes that are owner-occupied
57.2%
metro-area
#186 of 200 metros
Economy
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Unemployment rate
7.30%
local
#2685 of 3,220 cities
Population growth (5-yr)
+3.0%
local
#1675 of 3,220 cities
Housing — what your money buys
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median home price
$168,400
local
#376 of 3,220 cities
Home price ÷ income (affordability)
3.1×
local
#830 of 3,220 cities
1-yr home appreciation
+3.0%
metro-area
#47 of 200 metros
Price per square foot
$82
local
#266 of 3,220 cities
Typical home size (implied)
2,051 sqft
Median rent (monthly)
$1,038
local
#509 of 3,220 cities
Homes for sale (inventory)
1,137
Median days on market
17
metro-area
#98 of 200 metros
Taxes
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Total tax burden (est. % of income)
8.9%
state
#27 of 200 metros
Combined sales tax
7.38%
state
#99 of 200 metros
State income tax (top rate)
5.19%
Capital gains tax
5.39%
state
#125 of 200 metros
High earners
No special surtax
Social Security in retirement
Not taxed — does not tax Social Security benefits
Effective property tax rate
0.88%
local
#1331 of 3,220 cities
Median property tax paid
$1,479
local
#328 of 3,220 cities
Health & childcare
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Life expectancy at birth
72.7 years
metro-area
#194 of 200 metros
Healthcare (annual, single adult)
$6,400
state
#32 of 200 metros
Uninsured (share of residents)
11.7%
metro-area
#148 of 200 metros
Primary care providers per 100k
79
metro-area
#85 of 200 metros
Childcare (annual, infant, center)
$9,500
state
#37 of 200 metros
Vehicles & commute
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Annual registration
$40
state
#4 of 200 metros
Vehicle property tax (annual)
None
state
#1 of 200 metros
Emissions testing
Required
Emissions detail
Required in 13 metro Atlanta counties
DMV & license offices
4
Avg commute to work
20 min
local
#271 of 3,220 cities
Commute by driving alone
77.0%
metro-area
#132 of 200 metros
Solo drivers commuting 30+ min
25.0%
metro-area
#43 of 200 metros
Utilities & fuel
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Electricity
15.4¢/kWh
state
#41 of 200 metros
Avg monthly electric bill
$138
state
#41 of 200 metros
Gasoline
$3.15/gal
state
#57 of 200 metros
Natural gas (avg monthly bill)
$74
state
#133 of 200 metros
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill)
$123
state
#138 of 200 metros
Home internet (avg monthly bill)
$88
state
#190 of 200 metros
Insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Home insurance (annual)
$2,100
state
#124 of 200 metros
Auto insurance (annual)
$1,900
state
#86 of 200 metros
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Main natural hazards
Notable hazards: hurricanes, tornadoes — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed.
FEMA National Risk Index (0–100, higher = more risk)
63.7 — Relatively Low
metro-area
#6 of 200 metros
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)
$700
state
#61 of 200 metros
Earthquake insurance (annual)
$100
state
#1 of 200 metros
Climate & air quality
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner)
49
metro-area
#122 of 200 metros
Cooling degree-days (AC load)
1,800
metro-area
#134 of 200 metros
Homes with air conditioning (state)
95%
state
#27 of 200 metros
Heating degree-days (heat load)
2,800
metro-area
#76 of 200 metros
Days per year ≥ 90°F
73
metro-area
#156 of 200 metros
Days per year ≥ 100°F
2
metro-area
#144 of 200 metros
Avg summer high (state)
89°F
metro-area
#113 of 200 metros
Avg winter low
34°F
metro-area
#76 of 200 metros
Annual precipitation
50.4"
metro-area
#158 of 200 metros
Annual snowfall
2.2"
metro-area
#72 of 200 metros
Sunshine (% of possible)
60%
metro-area
#85 of 200 metros
Plant hardiness zone
8a
Frost window
03-10 → 11-20
Safety
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Violent crime (per 100k, state avg)
370
state
#65 of 200 metros
Property crime (per 100k, state avg)
2,000
state
#83 of 200 metros
Local amenities & recreation
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Grocery stores
120
metro-area
#5 of 200 metros
Parks
60
Hiking areas
15
Golf courses
15
Shooting ranges
4
Lakes
4
Permits
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Building permit difficulty (1–5)
2
state
#1 of 200 metros
Permit detail
Generally easy
US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.