Median Age
36 Years
Largest Age Group
30-39 Years
Approximately 15% of Residents
Under 20
27%
Over 65
16%
Avg Rent
$1,062
Population
199,297
Renter Mix
53% Rent
Columbus, Georgia combines Southern hospitality with outdoor adventure along the banks of the Chattahoochee River. As Georgia's second-largest city, Columbus offers diverse housing options, from Victorian-era homes in the Heritage District to contemporary apartments in MidTown. Current rental rates average $1,038 for a one-bedroom apartment. Notable neighborhoods include Green Island Hills and MidTown, where restored historic homes sit alongside newer residential communities.
The 15-mile Riverwalk serves as the centerpiece of outdoor recreation, featuring the longest urban whitewater course in the world. Downtown Columbus thrives with cultural attractions, including the Columbus Museum, National Infantry Museum, and the historic Springer Opera House - designated as Georgia's State Theater. Columbus State University's RiverPark campus adds to the downtown energy with its performing arts programs.
The Uptown district continues to grow with local shops and restaurants, while the proximity to Fort Moore makes the city a convenient choice for military personnel. Recent rental data shows steady market growth, with apartment rates increasing between 1.3% to 3% across different unit sizes. Whether you're drawn to the outdoor activities, cultural attractions, or historic architecture, Columbus maintains its authentic Southern character while embracing growth and development.
A bridge connects Uptown Columbus to Alabama.
A bridge stretches across the Chattahoochee River.
Cars line a historic street in Columbus, GA.
Median Household Income
$53,337
Average: $73,156
Education
46,222
Residents Have a Degree
Job Market
86,416
Workers Employed
Median Age
36 Years
Largest Age Group
30-39 Years
Approximately 15% of Residents
Under 20
27%
Over 65
16%
Housing Distribution
Columbus has more renters than homeowners.
Education Distribution
Review this city's overall education levels.
As of May 2026, the average apartment rent in Columbus, GA is $1,034 for a studio, $1,063 for one bedroom, $1,160 for two bedrooms, and $1,536 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Columbus has increased by 0.3% in the past year.
The cost of living in Columbus, GA is 13.0% lower than the national average. Generally, housing in Columbus is 29.1% less expensive than the national average, with rent falling between $1,034 - $1,536. You can expect to pay 2.8% less for groceries, 7.4% less for utilities, and 17.6% less for transportation.
Compare Cities
Explore how walkable, bikeable, drivable, and transit-friendly Columbus, GA is for everyday living.
Somewhat Walkable
Walkability
Exceptionally Drivable
Drivability
Somewhat Bikeable
Bikeability
New Mountain Hill Elementary School
Public
Grades PK-5
501 Students
Britt David Elementary Computer Magnet Academy
Public
Grades K-5
507 Students
Public
Grades PK-5
755 Students
Public
Grades PK-5
745 Students
Public
Grades PK-5
663 Students
Rainey McCullers School of the Arts
Public
Grades 6-12
384 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
819 Students
Veterans Memorial Middle School
Public
Grades 6-8
648 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
566 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
524 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
1,131 Students
Rainey McCullers School of the Arts
Public
Grades 6-12
384 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
1,402 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
1,184 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
1,234 Students
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
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† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.
Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.
Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in February 2026.
Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.