CostIndexUSA

Boulder, CO vs Columbus, GA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CO
Boulder
105.2
overall index
$2,250/mo rent
More AffordableGA
Columbus
89.3
overall index
$1,250/mo rent

Columbus is significantly cheaper than Boulder — 15.1% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Boulder, you would need $67,900 in Columbus. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing61.0%
Boulder
157
Columbus
61.2
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Boulder
96.1
Columbus
96.3
🚗 Transportation1.2%
Boulder
104.8
Columbus
103.5
🏥 Healthcare1.3%
Boulder
94.8
Columbus
93.6
Utilities+8.5%
Boulder
82.7
Columbus
89.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Boulder to see what you'd need to earn in Columbus to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Columbus, GA
$67,900
$12,100 less needed in Columbus

Formula: salary × (89.3 ÷ 105.2) = salary × 0.8489. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Boulder, CO

Median Home Price
$702,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,250
Housing Index
157
Price-to-Rent Ratio
26.0×

Columbus, GA

Median Home Price
$200,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,250
Housing Index
61.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.3×

Boulder has 61.0% lower housing costs compared to Columbus.

Income & Job Market

Boulder, CO

Median Household Income
$95,400
Per Capita Income
$54,400
Unemployment Rate
4.7%
Population
105,112
Top Industries
TechnologyEducationResearchHealthcareOutdoor Recreation

Columbus, GA

Median Household Income
$54,700
Per Capita Income
$31,200
Unemployment Rate
5.3%
Population
206,922
Top Industries
MilitaryHealthcareManufacturingGovernmentRetail

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Boulder, CO
3.5×income-to-rent ratio

72% of income left after rent (median)

Columbus, GA
3.6×income-to-rent ratio

73% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.