Columbia, IL Utility & Living Guide

⚡ Featured Deal

Essentials for Your New Home

🛒 Shop This Deal Now

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

3 Location

Columbia, Illinois Utility & Living Guide

Columbia is a city mainly in Monroe County with a small portion in St. Clair County in the U.S.

Last updated: September 16, 2026
Total Utilities$315/mo
1BR Rent$942/mo
Sales Tax6.25%
COL Index97 (-3)
Family Score6/10
Median Home$277,100
📷 Live Cameras — Columbia
Live camera
Live · refreshing...
🌤️ Live Weather — Columbia
Loading weather...
Living in Columbia, summers are hot, with Jul highs around 88.3°F, while winters are chilly, with Feb lows around 26.3°F. Winter heating is a real budget factor — 4036 degree days means 4-5 months of meaningful energy bills. The area receives 52.1 inches of rainfall per year. Within 5 miles: 8 parks, 1 grocery, 4 dining spots and 1 school. For hospital care, the nearest facility is in a neighboring city. Median household income: $106,603. With a 4.5% poverty rate and 81.7% homeownership, the community reflects a stable residential mix. Nearby cities: Oakville (6mi W), Lemay (8mi NW), Mehlville (8mi NW). Air quality is Moderate — avg AQI 52 over the past week.
⚠️ Natural Hazard History — Columbia
Loading hazard data...
💼 Calculate Your Future Retirement Income

Moving Your Assets to Columbia?

Moving to Columbia? Find out how much retirement income you could generate based on your current savings, age, and goals. Calculate Your Retirement Income → Free · Takes 2 minutes · No personal data required
💰 Budget Calculator
🔌 Utilities
🏠 Housing
📊 Cost of Living
💰 Taxes
👨‍👩‍👧 Families
🧮 Tools

Monthly Utility Costs

⚡ Electric

$130/mo

Local utility provider
🔥 Gas

$60/mo

Local gas utility
💧 Water

$35/mo

Municipal water department
🗑️ Garbage

$25/mo

Municipal waste management
📶 Internet

$65/mo

Combined Average Overhead$315/month

Housing Market

Rent & Property
1 Bedroom$942/mo
2 Bedrooms$1047/mo
3 Bedrooms$1308/mo
Median Home Price$277,100
Property Tax Rate2.07%
Avg Childcare/mo$1000
Contact a local realtor for current market conditions in Columbia.

Cost of Living

Overall COL Index

97

US national avg = 100
vs National Avg

-3

Groceries

97

Transportation

100

Healthcare

100

Childcare/mo

$1000

Tax Rates

Tax Overview
Total Sales Tax6.25%
Property Tax Rate2.07%

Family & Relocation

Family Vibe Score
6/10
Safety Index

55

Higher = safer
School Rating

6

GreatSchools avg
Avg Childcare

$1000/mo

City Pulse

Population Trend
Population: 5,000

Household Budget Calculator

Estimate your real monthly cost of living in Columbia based on your household profile.

Financial Tools

Calculators
Planning Tools

Find Another City Guide

Search by city name or ZIP code to find utility costs, housing data and cost of living guides.

📊 Columbia — Census & Demographic Data

Official data from the US Census Bureau, American Community Survey.

💰 Median Household Income
$106,603
🏠 Homeownership Rate
81.7%
🔑 Renter Rate
18.3%
📉 Poverty Rate
4.5%
💼 Unemployment Rate
0.6%
Amazon

Get your home essentials, storage, and moving supplies delivered.

Shop Moving Essentials

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.