Columbia, IL vs St. Joseph, IL

St. Joseph is moderately more affordable than Columbia, with a 9.5% lower cost of living index. Columbia scores 90 compared to 82 for St. Joseph, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Columbia can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Columbia is $1,089/month compared to $969/month in St. Joseph — a 12% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: St. Joseph is more affordable at $257,400 median vs $290,100.

Median household income in Columbia is $107,922 compared to $114,594 in St. Joseph (-5.8%). St. Joseph offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Columbia spend roughly 12.1% of their income on rent, more than the 10.1% in St. Joseph.