Columbiana is a small town of 4,552 in Alabama, with a median household income of $58,214
and a 0.9% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 93 (US average = 100), which is
7% below the national average.
Strengths:
Columbiana stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, lower-than-average crime, solid school ratings (B-).
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include longer commutes. Whether Columbiana is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Columbiana 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: 92.6
Columbiana's overall cost of living index is 92.6,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Columbiana costs roughly 7% less than the average American city.
Metric
Columbiana, AL
National Avg
Median Home Value
$202,500
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$828
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
65.2%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$58,214
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Very Safe
Columbiana's violent crime rate is 142.5 per 100,000 residents
— 62% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
142.5 /100k
Property Crime
1038.1 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Columbiana is served primarily by Shelby County.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 16.1:1
(slightly above the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Columbiana, AL
National Avg
School District
Shelby County
—
Elementary Schools
16
—
Middle Schools
7
—
High Schools
9
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
16.1:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
15.3%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
84.4%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Columbiana sees average highs of 55.7°F in January
and 91.1°F in July,
with 57.5 inches of annual precipitation
and 1.1 inches of snow per year.
Columbiana's cost of living index is 93, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Columbiana roughly 7% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $202,500 and median rent is $828/month.
Columbiana's violent crime rate is 142.5 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 1038.1 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Columbiana are operated by Shelby County.
The district has 16 elementary, 7 middle, and 9 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 16.1:1. 15.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Columbiana, AL has a population of 4,552, a median household income of $58,214, and an unemployment rate of 0.9%.
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.
Columbiana averages 55.7°F in January and 91.1°F in July. Annual rainfall is 57.5 inches
with about 1.1 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Columbiana, AL is covered by 1 ZIP code: 35051.
The population of Columbiana, Alabama is 4,552 with a median age of 43.6. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Columbiana: cost of living index 93 (100 = US average), median home $202,500, median household income $58,214, crime index 42 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B-. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Columbiana side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
