Cost of Living in Columbus, WI
Population 5,493 · Wisconsin · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Housing costs in Columbus stay well under national norms: a median home value of $226,000 against median household incomes of $74,957 gives the city one of the more comfortable price-to-income ratios in Wisconsin. An unemployment rate of 2.3% points to a labor market well on the tight side of the national distribution.
Located 25 miles northeast of Madison, Columbus falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 35% lower than Madison's $347,000.
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 $225,700 — 26% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $814/month, 38% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $74,957/year is 1% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 2.3%, below the national average of 4.8%. Wisconsin's top state income tax rate is 7.7% and the combined sales tax is 5.4%. The climate averages highs of 56.5°F and lows of 37.6°F, with about 51.8" of annual snowfall. Overall, Columbus has a cost of living index of 69 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 31% 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 | 27 | 31 | 44 | 57 | 69 | 79 | 82 | 80 | 73 | 60 | 45 | 32 |
| Low °F | 12 | 15 | 25 | 36 | 47 | 57 | 62 | 60 | 51 | 40 | 29 | 18 |
| Precip" | 1.47 | 1.52 | 2.26 | 3.78 | 4.10 | 5.28 | 4.51 | 4.16 | 3.43 | 2.77 | 2.22 | 1.63 |
| Snow" | 13.7 | 12.8 | 7.0 | 2.6 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.6 | 3.0 | 12.0 |
💨 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 Columbus, WI?
Columbus has a cost index of 69 (100 = national average). It is 31% below the national average.
What is average rent in Columbus, WI?
The median gross rent in Columbus is $814 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Columbus?
The median home value in Columbus is $225,700 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Columbus?
The median household income in Columbus is $74,957 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Columbus, WI?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Columbus is 5.4%. The Wisconsin state income tax top rate is 7.7%.
Is Columbus, WI affordable?
Yes, Columbus is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 69 — about 31% below the US national average of 100.
What is the weather like in Columbus?
Columbus has average high temperatures of 56.5°F and average lows of 37.6°F. Annual precipitation is 37.1". Average annual snowfall is 51.8". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.
Columbus at a Glance
- Population
- 5,493
- Median Income
- $74,957
- Home Value
- $225,700
- Median Rent
- $814/mo
- Unemployment
- 2.3%
- Avg High Temp
- 56.5°F
- Sales Tax
- 5.4%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
Wisconsin Rankings
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