Cost of Living in Columbus, GA - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $978 (excluding rent), and $2,274 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,280 (excluding rent), and $3,480 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$17.76 $17.76

$14.8 $14.8

$49.34 $49.34

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$50.6 $50.6

$121 $121

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.2 $11.2

$10.17 $10.17

$13.24 $13.24

Cappuccino

$4.46 $4.46

$3.97 $3.97

$11.9 $11.9

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

$1.95 $1.95

$0.98 $0.98

$3.42 $3.42

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.48 $1.48

$0.98 $0.98

$2.95 $2.95

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$5.06 $5.06

$3.54 $3.54

$8.1 $8.1

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.83 $6.83

$5.86 $5.86

$9.76 $9.76

Milk (1 liter)

$1 $1

$0.68 $0.68

$1.55 $1.55

White Bread (500g)

$3.24 $3.24

$1.88 $1.88

$4.94 $4.94

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.36 $2.36

$1.78 $1.78

$3.41 $3.41

Eggs

$2.66 $2.66

$1.59 $1.59

$7.82 $7.82

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.51 $10.51

$5.56 $5.56

$18.53 $18.53

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$9.68 $9.68

$5.61 $5.61

$15.7 $15.7

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.3 $9.3

$5.53 $5.53

$24.6 $24.6

Apples (1kg)

$4.46 $4.46

$2.25 $2.25

$7.89 $7.89

Banana (1kg)

$1.39 $1.39

$1.29 $1.29

$3.02 $3.02

Oranges (1kg)

$2.7 $2.7

$1.29 $1.29

$6.47 $6.47

Tomato (1kg)

$3.51 $3.51

$2.13 $2.13

$8.54 $8.54

Potato (1kg)

$1.69 $1.69

$1.35 $1.35

$4.52 $4.52

Onion (1kg)

$1.81 $1.81

$4.5 $4.5

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.61 $1.61

$0.98 $0.98

$2.93 $2.93

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.82 $1.82

$1.49 $1.49

$3.97 $3.97

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$7.07 $7.07

$10.1 $10.1

Wine (Bottle)

$14.27 $14.27

$9.17 $9.17

$30.57 $30.57

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.7 $1.7

$1.13 $1.13

$2.16 $2.16

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.27 $1.27

$5.09 $5.09

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.27 $1.27

$1.22 $1.22

$1.95 $1.95

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$52.4 $52.4

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.99 $1.99

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.27 $1.27

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$21.1 $21.1

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.83 $0.83

$0.75 $0.75

$0.94 $0.94

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

$28.3K $28.3K

$23.9K $23.9K

$32.6K $32.6K

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

$24.9K $24.9K

$24.8K $24.8K

$24.9K $24.9K

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

$152 $152

$101 $101

$507 $507

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

$40.85 $40.85

$20.26 $20.26

$76 $76

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$63.3 $63.3

$39.65 $39.65

$84.4 $84.4

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$10.05 $10.05

$50.2 $50.2

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$7.45 $7.45

Cinema Ticket

$10.13 $10.13

$8.61 $8.61

$18.24 $18.24

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

$960 $960

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$23.9K $23.9K

$17.1K $17.1K

$27.7K $27.7K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$45.86 $45.86

$40.77 $40.77

$91.7 $91.7

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$30.03 $30.03

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.6 $97.6

$70.1 $70.1

$130 $130

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$102 $102

$88.8 $88.8

$173 $173

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,232 $1,232

$1,084 $1,084

$1,380 $1,380

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,179 $1,179

$983 $983

$1,474 $1,474

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,386 $1,386

$2,969 $2,969

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,253 $1,253

$2,524 $2,524

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$7,749 $7,749

$1,470 $1,470

$10.9K $10.9K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$7,575 $7,575

$1,437 $1,437

$10.6K $10.6K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,681 $3,681

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.57

6.19

7.5

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

Last update: October 29, 2025

City tags:

🌎 North america

Cost of Living in Columbus, GA - Frequently Asked Questions

When you compare affordability across mid-sized American cities, Columbus offers a balanced profile. You’ll find a mix of housing styles and a relatively affordable cost of living for utilities, groceries, and everyday services, with entertainment options that won’t break the bank. The Cost of Living in Columbus, GA, United States sits at a moderate level, and you’ll see a range of neighborhoods that suit different budgets and lifestyles. For digital nomads or expats, the city provides practical infrastructure, reliable internet pockets, and coworking spaces without the stress of a high rent bill. Open-air markets, riverfront strolls, and campus events help you stretch a budget while preserving quality of life. Tip: Start with a month-to-month housing option to gauge neighborhoods before committing.

Finding a place in Columbus means weighing neighborhood vibes against commute time and everyday amenities. Start near downtown or north-of-town for proximity to cafés, coworking, and groceries; if you prefer quieter mornings, look to lake-area streets. Housing options range from vintage apartments to newer complexes with walkable access to transit. For food, you’ll discover farmers markets, casual dining, and regional staples. For getting around, consider a bike-friendly setup or a bus plan; many places are drivable too. Keep an eye on seasonality when hunting for leases, as demand and inventory shift with university calendars. [Columbus, GA, United States] living cost varies by neighborhood, so compare value and access. Tip: Map your daily routes to minimize back-and-forth trips.

Columbus offers a reliable quality of life with outdoor spaces, short commutes, and a growing set of coworking options. Build a simple budgeting framework that covers housing, utilities, groceries, and transit, then adapt it for seasonal needs like hotter summers or busy event periods. Save by cooking at home, shopping at farmers markets, and choosing walkable neighborhoods to cut travel. Seasonality matters too: plan outdoor activities around milder days and prepare for heat with shade and hydration. Neighborhood fit matters as well: Downtown and Midtown tend to be lively and central; North Columbus offers space and quiet. Tip: keep a short list of non-negotiables when evaluating areas.