Columbia is a small town of 5,831 in Mississippi, with a median household income of $29,470
and a 8.6% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 86 (US average = 100), which is
14% below the national average.
Strengths:
Columbia stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (B-).
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include 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: 85.7
Columbia's overall cost of living index is 85.7,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Columbia costs roughly 14% less than the average American city.
Metric
Columbia, MS
National Avg
Median Home Value
$95,200
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$545
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
59.6%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$29,470
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Very Safe
Columbia's violent crime rate is 272.7 per 100,000 residents
— 28% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
272.7 /100k
Property Crime
472.1 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Columbia is served primarily by Marion County School District.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.1:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Columbia, MS
National Avg
School District
Marion County School District
—
Elementary Schools
2
—
Middle Schools
2
—
High Schools
3
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
13.1:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
13.9%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
77.6%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Columbia sees average highs of 59.9°F in January
and 91.6°F in July,
with 61.9 inches of annual precipitation
and 0.2 inches of snow per year.
Columbia's cost of living index is 86, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Columbia roughly 14% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $95,200 and median rent is $545/month.
Columbia's violent crime rate is 272.7 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 472.1 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Columbia are operated by Marion County School District.
The district has 2 elementary, 2 middle, and 3 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.1:1. 13.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Columbia, MS has a population of 5,831, a median household income of $29,470, and an unemployment rate of 8.6%.
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 59.9°F in January and 91.6°F in July. Annual rainfall is 61.9 inches
with about 0.2 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Columbia, MS is covered by 1 ZIP code: 39429.
The population of Columbia, Mississippi is 5,831 with a median age of 40.1. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Columbia: cost of living index 86 (100 = US average), median home $95,200, median household income $29,470, crime index 52 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B-. 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.
