Cost of Living in Columbia Heights, MN
Population 22,016 · Minnesota · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Under 25,000 residents gives Columbia Heights a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $260,000.
Columbia Heights sits roughly 6 miles north of Minneapolis — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 25% lower than Minneapolis' $346,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Columbia Heights
The median home value in Columbia Heights is $259,900 — 15% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,278/month, 3% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $74,688/year is equal to than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 4.8%, above the national average of 4.8%. Minnesota's top state income tax rate is 9.8% and the combined sales tax is 7.4%. Overall, Columbia Heights has a cost of living index of 90 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 10% less expensive.
🏠 Housing
HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom
💰 Estimated Monthly Budget
Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.
🛒 Food & Groceries
National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.
🚗 Transportation
Commute Mode
⚡ Utilities
📋 Taxes
💼 Income & Employment
🎓 Education
👥 Demographics
💨 Air Quality
EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data
🏫 Schools
NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Columbia Heights, MN?
Columbia Heights has a cost index of 90 (100 = national average). It is 10% below the national average.
What is average rent in Columbia Heights, MN?
The median gross rent in Columbia Heights is $1,278 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Columbia Heights?
The median home value in Columbia Heights is $259,900 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Columbia Heights?
The median household income in Columbia Heights is $74,688 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Columbia Heights, MN?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Columbia Heights is 7.4%. The Minnesota state income tax top rate is 9.8%.
Is Columbia Heights, MN affordable?
Columbia Heights is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 90 (100 = US average).
Columbia Heights at a Glance
- Population
- 22,016
- Median Income
- $74,688
- Home Value
- $259,900
- Median Rent
- $1,278/mo
- Unemployment
- 4.8%
- Sales Tax
- 7.4%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
Minnesota Rankings
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