B
1%
Overall NAT. AVG.
5%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
5%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Columbia Heights Minnesota National
Cost of living9999100
Goods & Services95100100
Groceries9798100
Health care101109100
Housing105100100
Transportation9797100
Utilities9593100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Columbia Heights, MN

Getting a feel for the cost of living in Columbia Heights is essential for anyone planning to relocate, as it empowers them to make informed financial decisions, secure a comfortable lifestyle and maintain financial stability in their new environment. The cost of living in Columbia Heights is 99, which is 1% lower than the national average. Relocating individuals may need to adjust their savings and investment strategies based on the cost of living in the new location. It influences decisions about retirement planning, investments and financial goals.

In Columbia Heights, daily expenses such as food, housing, goods and services, transportation and health care are in line with comparable areas and about average when compared to all cities across the nation. This ensures that the cost of living in Columbia Heights will resemble that of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.

Is Columbia Heights Affordable?

Is Columbia Heights affordable? This is a pivotal question, especially when mulling over a move, as affordability carries substantial weight in your decision-making process. Factors such as the cost of living index (discussed earlier), housing expenses and income levels all contribute to a location's affordability. For instance, in Columbia Heights, the median home price is 4.9% higher than the national average and monthly rent prices are 4.2% higher than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Columbia Heights boasting a median household income of $60,778, 9.9% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Columbia Heights?

Transportation: When public transportation options are limited or non-existent, residents frequently resort to vehicle ownership, which can significantly contribute to the overall cost of living. Monthly financial obligations encompass fuel, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or financing expenses. In Columbia Heights, the transportation index is 2.9% lower than the national average.

Urbanization: Urban areas with a wealth of amenities and employment opportunities tend to come with a higher price tag for living. Why? Well, more people want to be there, which drives up home prices and rents. On the flip side, less densely populated rural areas or places where there's not as much demand usually mean fewer attractions, things to do and slower job growth. That often results in a lower cost of living.

Groceries: Over the past 2-3 years, grocery expenses have experienced substantial upward trends. In certain markets, food prices have surged by over 20% during this period, while others have witnessed more modest increases. These fluctuations in food costs can wield significant influence over the overall cost of living in a given region. In Columbia Heights, the groceries index is 2.6% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Columbia Heights cost of living data displayed above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index to provide a useful and reasonably accurate measure of living cost differences in urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, it compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services. These items have been meticulously selected to represent various consumer expenditure categories, in 6 categories. Weightings assigned to cost differentials draw from government survey data tracking spending patterns among professional and executive households. While the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Columbia Heights is equal to the Minnesota average
  • The cost of living in Columbia Heights is 1% lower than the national average
  • Columbia Heights housing is 5% higher than the national average
  • Minnesota general sales tax is 35% higher than the national average
  • Minnesota state income tax is 106% higher than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Columbia Heights

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Compare Columbia Heights, MN Cost of Living

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      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$75,333$6,278$1,758$2,260
      Renters$31,345$2,612$731$940
      The affordability of the housing market in Columbia Heights, MN as well as the overall cost of living can be predicted by what percent of the monthly income is spent on housing related costs. This is konwn as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). The overall rule of thumb is that no more than 28% of your gross income should be spent on the overall costs related to housing and no more than 36% of gross income on all expenses and debts. Among Columbia Heights homeowners, the median income is $75,333. This indicates that a monthly maximum of $1,758 should be spent by homeowners on all housing related costs. Renters have a median income of $31,345. This indicates that renters would have a maximum of $731 for their rent related monthly costs.

      Minnesota Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Minnesota 6.875% 7.875%

      Minnesota Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Minnesota 5.35% 9.85%

      Goods & Services

      Item Columbia Heights National avg. Difference
      Haircut $25.86$24.266.6%
      Beauty Salon $37.00$45.5618.8%
      Toothpaste $3.62$3.702.2%
      Shampoo $1.50$1.2816.9%
      Movie $11.32$12.136.7%
      Bowling $25.68$18.0042.6%

      Groceries

      Item Columbia Heights National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.75$5.841.4%
      Fried Chicken $1.40$1.5711.2%
      Milk $4.60$4.671.5%
      Potatoes $4.76$4.933.5%
      Pizza $13.00$12.097.6%
      Beer $9.44$10.419.3%

      Health Care

      Item Columbia Heights National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $112.72$125.6810.3%
      Doctor $164.15$135.7820.9%
      Dentist $95.01$113.2916.1%
      Ibuprofen $10.71$10.650.6%
      Lipitor $499.35$468.606.6%

      Housing

      Item Columbia Heights National avg. Difference
      Home Price $193,700.00$184,700.004.9%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,983.77$2,346.6915.5%
      Apartment Rent $989.00$949.004.2%

      Transportation

      Item Columbia Heights National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.32$3.464.0%
      Tire Balancing $59.91$59.920.0%

      Utilities

      Item Columbia Heights National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $180.11$193.997.2%
      Phone $187.59$192.252.4%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Landfall, MN7967030.3%
      South End, MN657525.2%
      Hilltop, MN1,0077722.8%
      St. Anthony city (Stearns County), MN1068019.7%
      St. Paul Park, MN5,404990.6%
      Columbia Heights, MN20,247991.3%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Rosamond, CA20,25511615.6%
      American Canyon, CA20,25616161.1%
      Tukwila, WA20,26512827.8%
      Pleasantville, NJ20,226982.1%
      Agoura Hills, CA20,269200100.1%
      Columbia Heights, MN20,247991.3%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.