Cost of Living in Columbus, IN
Columbus, IN — prices, rents and what jobs really pay here after taxes.
Salary comparison calculator
What would you need to earn in Columbus, IN to keep the same lifestyle — after taxes — as in another city?
Prices in Columbus, IN vs. the U.S. average
| Category | Index (U.S. = 100) | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 93.0 | −7.0% |
| Housing | 75.5 | −24.5% |
| Goods | 94.3 | −5.7% |
| Utilities | 86.6 | −13.4% |
| Other services | 99.1 | −0.9% |
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Rent in Columbus, IN
| Unit | Monthly rent | Income needed (30% rule) |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,233 | $49,320/yr |
| 1 bedroom | $1,257 | $50,280/yr |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,415 | $56,600/yr |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,697 | $67,880/yr |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,000 | $80,000/yr |
HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026, population-weighted across the metro's counties.
Take-home pay in Columbus, IN
- Federal income tax$3,636
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,005
- Medicare (1.45%)$703
- Indiana income tax$1,400
- Take-home pay$39,725
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 2.95% state
Highest-paying jobs in Columbus, IN
*In U.S.-average dollars after adjusting for local prices.
Frequently asked questions
Is Columbus, IN expensive to live in?
According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, overall prices in the Columbus, IN metro area are 93.0% of the U.S. average, with housing at 75.5%. It is the #210 most expensive of 387 metro areas we track.
What salary do you need to live in Columbus, IN?
To match the buying power of a $60,000 salary in an average-priced U.S. city you would need about $55,802 in Columbus, IN (before tax differences). The median wage across all jobs here is $48,470.
How much is rent in Columbus, IN?
HUD’s FY2026 fair market rents for Columbus, IN are $1,233 for a studio, $1,257 for one bedroom, $1,415 for two bedrooms and $1,697 for three bedrooms, including utilities.
All salaries in Columbus, IN
Management Occupations
- General and Operations Manager — $112,760
Architecture and Engineering Occupations
- Mechanical Engineer — $127,700
- Industrial Engineer — $97,480
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
- Registered Nurse — $77,030
Healthcare Support Occupations
- Home Health and Personal Care Aide — $33,080
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $28,290
- Waiter and Waitress — $26,340
Sales and Related Occupations
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products — $65,630
- Retail Salesperson — $29,840
- Cashier — $29,280
Office and Administrative Support Occupations
- Office Clerks, General — $45,620
- Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks — $44,780
- Customer Service Representative — $42,700
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations
- Industrial Machinery Mechanic — $63,770
- Maintenance and Repair Workers, General — $58,450
Production Occupations
- First-Line Supervisor of Production and Operating Workers — $75,640
- Machinist — $61,230
- Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers — $49,030
- Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator — $48,590
- Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic — $47,320
- Miscellaneous Assembler and Fabricator — $46,950
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver — $57,350
- Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand — $38,510
- Stocker and Order Filler — $32,130