Cost of Living in Columbia, MO - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $900 (excluding rent), and $1,845 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,148 (excluding rent), and $3,749 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$16.79 $16.79

$11.85 $11.85

$19.75 $19.75

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$60.5 $60.5

$43.34 $43.34

$90.7 $90.7

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.78 $12.78

$11.80 $11.80

$13.77 $13.77

Cappuccino

$4.95 $4.95

$2.97 $2.97

$5.94 $5.94

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.52 $2.52

$1.98 $1.98

$2.97 $2.97

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.02 $2.02

$3.02 $3.02

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$4.10 $4.10

$3.59 $3.59

$7.18 $7.18

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.86 $4.86

$6.32 $6.32

Milk (1 liter)

$1.14 $1.14

$0.92 $0.92

$1.34 $1.34

White Bread (500g)

$3.14 $3.14

$1.63 $1.63

$7.61 $7.61

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.03 $2.03

$1.88 $1.88

$6.54 $6.54

Eggs

$3.02 $3.02

$1.52 $1.52

$4.72 $4.72

Local Cheese (1kg)

$9.20 $9.20

$6.16 $6.16

$26.50 $26.50

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$9.44 $9.44

$4.98 $4.98

$20.34 $20.34

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$14.05 $14.05

$9.73 $9.73

$30.22 $30.22

Apples (1kg)

$4.23 $4.23

$2.61 $2.61

$7.91 $7.91

Banana (1kg)

$1.28 $1.28

$0.99 $0.99

$4.48 $4.48

Oranges (1kg)

$3.10 $3.10

$2.39 $2.39

$6.50 $6.50

Tomato (1kg)

$4.13 $4.13

$2.22 $2.22

$6.79 $6.79

Potato (1kg)

$1.61 $1.61

$0.86 $0.86

$3.25 $3.25

Onion (1kg)

$2.48 $2.48

$1.53 $1.53

$4.36 $4.36

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.67 $1.67

$0.98 $0.98

$2.95 $2.95

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.97 $1.97

$1.03 $1.03

$3.59 $3.59

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$6.92 $6.92

$6.43 $6.43

$9.27 $9.27

Wine (Bottle)

$16.33 $16.33

$9.90 $9.90

$29.69 $29.69

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.66 $1.66

$1.10 $1.10

$2.36 $2.36

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.60 $3.60

$1.43 $1.43

$6.61 $6.61

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.04 $2.04

$1.28 $1.28

$2.04 $2.04

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.97 $2.97

$2.47 $2.47

$4.95 $4.95

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.05 $1.05

$1.01 $1.01

$1.08 $1.08

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$22.43 $22.43

$19.94 $19.94

$24.92 $24.92

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.80 $0.80

$0.72 $0.72

$0.87 $0.87

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$30.2K $30.2K

$23.8K $23.8K

$37.3K $37.3K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$25.1K $25.1K

$24.8K $24.8K

$25.1K $25.1K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$181 $181

$158 $158

$298 $298

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$50.5 $50.5

$24.73 $24.73

$107 $107

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$58.9 $58.9

$49.25 $49.25

$88.6 $88.6

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$28.46 $28.46

$15.07 $15.07

$50.2 $50.2

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$16.93 $16.93

$10.15 $10.15

$25.39 $25.39

Cinema Ticket

$11.91 $11.91

$8.93 $8.93

$17.87 $17.87

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$1,215 $1,215

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$12.9K $12.9K

$10.9K $10.9K

$14.7K $14.7K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$51.7 $51.7

$34.49 $34.49

$123 $123

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$33.47 $33.47

$20.08 $20.08

$45.19 $45.19

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$68.5 $68.5

$49.53 $49.53

$119 $119

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$86.5 $86.5

$69.2 $69.2

$138 $138

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$942 $942

$810 $810

$1,519 $1,519

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$775 $775

$646 $646

$1,193 $1,193

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,870 $1,870

$1,118 $1,118

$3,455 $3,455

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,385 $1,385

$884 $884

$2,358 $2,358

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,989 $1,989

$1,949 $1,949

$2,034 $2,034

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,006 $2,006

$1,858 $1,858

$2,088 $2,088

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,963 $3,963

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.35

7.04

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: January 12, 2026

Columbia, MO Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

311

Mbps

192

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌎 North america

Cost of Living in Columbia, MO - Frequently Asked Questions

Columbia offers a practical blend of affordability and Midwest charm for travelers, expats, and digital nomads. You'll find housing ranging from affordable apartments near campus to comfortable townhomes not far from downtown, with leases and rents generally more predictable than on the coasts. Grocery prices, dining options, and utilities tend to be steady, supporting predictable budgets for longer stays. Cost of Living in Columbia, MO, United States provides a sensible baseline for budgeting, especially if you prioritize neighborhood walkability and shorter commutes. Tip: Start with a two-week neighborhood scout to test fit and pace.

Day-to-day life in Columbia, MO is a practical blend of campus energy and small-city calm. When you search for housing, start with university boards, local rental sites, and short-term sublets to test neighborhoods before committing. Grocery options include farmers markets, budget-friendly chains, and casual eateries; cooking at home stretches a budget and supports longer stays. For getting around, the bus network works for most routes, biking is popular, and rideshares fill the gaps. Co-working spaces cluster near the university corridor and downtown. For reference, Columbia, MO, United States living cost can guide your housing and routine choices. Tip: Plan your week around market days and transit schedules.

Quality of life in Columbia, MO hinges on pace, seasonality, and accessible amenities. Build a budgeting framework by tracking essential categories (housing, food, transport, utilities) and revisiting them as your stay grows. To save, shop at farmer's markets, join a community-supported agriculture program when possible, and cook at home instead of dining out every day. Neighborhood fit matters: the downtown corridor offers cafes and events; the North Village area gives a quieter, leafy vibe; university-adjacent zones keep events and networking within reach. Tip: align your living space with your work schedule and seasonal activities to balance exploration with rest.