Canton, MS vs Columbus, MS

Canton, MS and Columbus, MS have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.7% difference in their overall index. Canton scores 69 while Columbus scores 68 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Canton is $949/month compared to $882/month in Columbus — a 8% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Columbus has cheaper rent, Canton actually has lower median home values ($111,800 vs $121,200).

Median household income in Canton is $34,812 compared to $40,588 in Columbus (-14.2%). Columbus offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Canton spend roughly 32.7% of their income on rent, more than the 26.1% in Columbus. The Columbus ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (65.4°F vs 64°F). Columbus receives more rainfall at 60" per year compared to 57.3" in Canton.