Cost of Living in Columbus, TX
Population 3,718 · Texas · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Under 25,000 residents gives Columbus a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $219,000. Around 28% of residents live below the federal poverty line, a rate that tends to correlate with the income and housing figures above.
Located 55 miles west of Sugar Land, Columbus is far enough out that local conditions diverge meaningfully from the big-metro baseline. Median home values run roughly 46% lower than Sugar Land's $407,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Columbus
The median home value in Columbus is $219,300 — 28% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,047/month, 20% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $57,214/year is 23% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.7%, below the national average of 4.8%. Texas charges no state income tax, a meaningful advantage for take-home pay. The climate averages highs of 80.7°F and lows of 61.4°F. Overall, Columbus has a cost of living index of 75 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 25% less expensive.
Columbus has limited residential data
Detailed housing and income data is limited for this location. Here are the nearest cities with full cost of living data:
🏠 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
🌤 Climate
NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 64 | 68 | 74 | 80 | 87 | 92 | 95 | 94 | 90 | 83 | 74 | 67 |
| Low °F | 45 | 50 | 55 | 60 | 69 | 74 | 76 | 76 | 72 | 62 | 53 | 46 |
| Precip" | 3.63 | 2.83 | 3.49 | 4.26 | 5.24 | 4.22 | 4.16 | 5.27 | 4.42 | 4.65 | 3.78 | 3.76 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Columbus, TX?
Columbus has a cost index of 75 (100 = national average). It is 25% below the national average.
What is average rent in Columbus, TX?
The median gross rent in Columbus is $1,047 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Columbus?
The median home value in Columbus is $219,300 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Columbus?
The median household income in Columbus is $57,214 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Columbus, TX?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Columbus is 8.2%. Texas has no state income tax.
Is Columbus, TX affordable?
Yes, Columbus is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 75 — about 25% below the US national average of 100.
What is the weather like in Columbus?
Columbus has average high temperatures of 80.7°F and average lows of 61.4°F. Annual precipitation is 49.7". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.
Columbus at a Glance
- Population
- 3,718
- Median Income
- $57,214
- Home Value
- $219,300
- Median Rent
- $1,047/mo
- Unemployment
- 3.7%
- Avg High Temp
- 80.7°F
- Sales Tax
- 8.2%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
Texas Rankings
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