Counties › Wisconsin

Cost of Living in Columbia County, WI

Population 58,272 · Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates

Median rent$978
Median home value$283,200
Median household income$85,351

The median rent in Columbia County, WI is $978/month, 10% lower than the Wisconsin median and 31% lower than the U.S. median. The median home value is $283,200, 15% lower than the national median. Households earn a median of $85,351 a year, 10% higher than the state median.

Affordability

Rent as a share of median income: 13.8%
Income needed for median rent (30% rule): $39,120/yr
Home price-to-income ratio: 3.3×
Est. mortgage on the median home (20% down, 6.5% for 30 yrs, principal + interest): $1,432/mo

Run your own numbers: mortgage calculator · hourly to salary

Columbia County vs. Wisconsin vs. U.S.

Columbia CountyWisconsinU.S.
Median rent$978$1,087$1,413
Median home value$283,200$266,500$332,700
Median household income$85,351$77,485$80,734
Homeownership rate76.7%67.8%65.2%
Bachelor's degree or higher26.0%33.4%35.7%
Poverty rate7.8%10.6%12.5%
Unemployment rate3.1%3.2%5.2%
Work from home12.5%13.1%15.1%
Median age43.740.238.9

FAQ

What is the average rent in Columbia County, WI?

The median gross rent in Columbia County, WI is $978 per month (ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimate).

How much do I need to earn to live in Columbia County, WI?

Using the common 30% rule, renting a median-priced home takes about $39,120 a year in gross income.

Is Columbia County, WI expensive to live in?

Rent there is 31% lower than the U.S. median, and the median home costs about 3.3 times the median household income.

Other counties in Wisconsin

Milwaukee County, WIRent $1,101 · Income $64,435Dane County, WIRent $1,398 · Income $89,975Waukesha County, WIRent $1,356 · Income $106,076Brown County, WIRent $1,031 · Income $79,649Racine County, WIRent $1,080 · Income $78,096Outagamie County, WIRent $1,057 · Income $85,069

Counties with a similar cost of living

Goodhue County, MNRent $966 · Income $84,171West Baton Rouge Parish, LARent $973 · Income $87,299Limestone County, ALRent $970 · Income $83,629Stark County, NDRent $960 · Income $84,449Jefferson County, MORent $979 · Income $82,851Pike County, GARent $993 · Income $86,719

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates. Estimates have margins of error, especially for smaller places. This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.

Explore more

Wix Alternatives for Small Businesses & Freelancers (2026)Best Web Hosting for First-Time Site Owners (2026)Mortgage Payment CalculatorDiscount CalculatorPlay: Tide Pool PopPlay: Orbit Dodge
Get the best finds weekly

New tools, top deals and new pages — one short email a week. No spam.