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Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC

Cost of living in Columbia County, GA

Part of the Augusta Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$3,307/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 159,638 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $1,039 31%
Federal tax $655 20%
Healthcare $480 15%
Groceries $324 10%
Transport $320 10%
State tax $229 7%
Energy $205 6%
Water $55 2%

Rent in Columbia County

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$868
per month
1 bedroom
$1,039
per month
2 bedroom
$1,175
per month
3 bedroom
$1,545
per month
4 bedroom
$1,890
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Columbia County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$96,122
per year
Individual earnings
$50,074
per year
Per capita
$42,457
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Columbia County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$287,400
Annual property tax
$2,431

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Columbia County

Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.

Electricity
$163
per month · 14.8¢/kWh
Natural gas
$42
per month
Annual total
$2,460
per year

Source: EIA

Healthcare in Columbia County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
8.9%

Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.

Taxes in Columbia County

State and local tax rates for Georgia.

State income tax
5.5%
Flat rate
State sales tax
4.0%
Combined sales tax
7.4%
incl. average local

Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.

Transportation in Columbia County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
25.8 min
Drive alone
80.4%
Public transit
0.1%
Work from home
9.6%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Columbia County

What it costs to live in Columbia County each month.

Single person
$3,307
per month
  • Rent $1,039
  • Energy $205
  • Water $55
  • Groceries $324
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $655
  • State tax $229
Couple
$4,990
per month
  • Rent $1,175
  • Energy $246
  • Water $65
  • Groceries $537
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $1,243
  • State tax $440
Family
$7,496
per month
  • Rent $1,545
  • Energy $308
  • Water $75
  • Groceries $815
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $1,243
  • State tax $440

Frequently asked questions about Columbia County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Columbia County?

In Columbia County, GA, a one-bedroom apartment averages $1,039 per month, a two-bedroom averages $1,175 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,545 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Columbia County?

In Columbia County, GA, the average household income is $96,122 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $50,074 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Columbia County?

The estimated cost of living in Columbia County, GA is approximately $3,307 per month for a single person, $4,990 for a couple, $7,496 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Columbia County?

The combined sales tax rate in Columbia County, GA is 7.38%, which includes the Georgia state rate of 4.00% plus an average local rate of 3.38%.

Is Columbia County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Columbia County, GA would need approximately $3,307 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $96,122 per year ($8,010 per month). Columbia County is relatively affordable compared to the national average.

How much does healthcare cost in Columbia County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Columbia County, GA is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 8.9% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Columbia County?

The average home value in Columbia County, GA is $287,400, with average annual property taxes of $2,431, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Columbia County compare to other areas?

You can compare Columbia County, GA with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Columbia County is in the Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC metro area.

Other counties in Georgia

Browse the full list of counties in Georgia, ranked by cost of living.

See all counties in Georgia

Compare Columbia County with another area

Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.

About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.

  • HUD FMR FY2025
  • ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
  • EIA
  • ACS + national avg
  • ACS
  • USDA + BEA RPP
Methodology All data sources