Columbia is a small town of 805 in Alabama, with a median household income of $61,875
and a 5.2% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 90 (US average = 100), which is
10% below the national average.
Strengths:
Columbia stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices.
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include longer commutes, an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Columbia is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Columbia city data on this page comes from official government sources —
the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.
Cost of Living
Index: 90.4
Columbia's overall cost of living index is 90.4,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Columbia costs roughly 10% less than the average American city.
Metric
Columbia, AL
National Avg
Median Home Value
$137,500
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$830
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
79.8%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$61,875
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Higher than Average
Columbia's violent crime rate is 744.2 per 100,000 residents
— 96% higher than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
744.2 /100k
Property Crime
2397.0 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Columbia is served primarily by Houston County.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 17.8:1
(slightly above the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Columbia, AL
National Avg
School District
Houston County
—
Elementary Schools
5
—
Middle Schools
3
—
High Schools
6
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
17.8:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
8.6%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
83.0%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Columbia sees average highs of 60.5°F in January
and 92.8°F in July,
with 56.7 inches of annual precipitation
and 0.1 inches of snow per year.
Columbia's cost of living index is 90, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Columbia roughly 10% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $137,500 and median rent is $830/month.
Columbia's violent crime rate is 744.2 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 2397.0 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Columbia are operated by Houston County.
The district has 5 elementary, 3 middle, and 6 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 17.8:1. 8.6% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Columbia, AL has a population of 805, a median household income of $61,875, and an unemployment rate of 5.2%.
It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.
Columbia averages 60.5°F in January and 92.8°F in July. Annual rainfall is 56.7 inches
with about 0.1 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Columbia, AL is covered by 1 ZIP code: 36319.
The population of Columbia, Alabama is 805 with a median age of 32.5. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Columbia: cost of living index 90 (100 = US average), median home $137,500, median household income $61,875, crime index 163 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated C+. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Columbia side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
