Cost of Living in Columbiana, AL

Population 4,640 · Alabama · Data vintage 2023

74
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Columbiana is a smaller Alabama community of around 5000 residents, where median household incomes of $68,125 and housing costs ($238,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape.

Columbiana is about 25 miles southeast of Birmingham, the nearest large metro — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 72% higher than Birmingham's $139,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 78
Rent 68

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Columbiana

The median home value in Columbiana is $237,800 — 22% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $890/month, 32% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $68,125/year is 9% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 5.1%, above the national average of 4.8%. Alabama's top state income tax rate is 5.0% and the combined sales tax is 9.2%. Overall, Columbiana has a cost of living index of 74 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 26% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$237,800
22% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$300,284
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$890/mo
32% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
22.3x
Favors renting
Property Tax Rate
0.4%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$646
1 BR
$688
2 BR
$857
3 BR
$1,132
4 BR
$1,309
Owner-occupied 63.4%
Renter-occupied 36.6%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$890
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,504/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
35.8 min
33% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
2.7%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
86.2%
Carpooled
9.3%
Public transit
0.5%
Walked
1.4%
Work from home
2.7%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax 5.0%
Total Sales Tax 9.2%
State rate 4.0%
Avg local rate 5.2%
Property Tax 0.4%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$68,125
9% below avg
Per Capita Income
$28,761
Unemployment Rate
5.1%
6% above avg
Poverty Rate
14.7%
Labor Force Participation
41.8%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 7.3%
Graduate degree 8.8%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 44.3
Male median age 41.2
Female median age 49.5

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 40 — Good
85.5%
Good air days/yr
108
Max AQI recorded
0
PM2.5 days
242
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Columbiana, AL?

Columbiana has a cost index of 74 (100 = national average). It is 26% below the national average.

What is average rent in Columbiana, AL?

The median gross rent in Columbiana is $890 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Columbiana?

The median home value in Columbiana is $237,800 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Columbiana?

The median household income in Columbiana is $68,125 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Columbiana, AL?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Columbiana is 9.2%. The Alabama state income tax top rate is 5.0%.

Is Columbiana, AL affordable?

Yes, Columbiana is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 74 — about 26% below the US national average of 100.

Columbiana at a Glance

Population
4,640
Median Income
$68,125
Home Value
$237,800
Median Rent
$890/mo
Unemployment
5.1%
Sales Tax
9.2%
View all cities in Alabama →
🗺️ County data for Alabama

Explore county-level cost of living data

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