Columbia, MS vs Decatur, MS

Columbia is moderately more affordable than Decatur, with a 9.8% lower cost of living index. Columbia scores 60 compared to 67 for Decatur, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Decatur can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Columbia is $656/month compared to $826/month in Decatur — a 21% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Columbia is more affordable at $112,100 median vs $125,800.

Median household income in Columbia is $34,328 compared to $47,258 in Decatur (-27.4%). While Decatur is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Columbia spend roughly 22.9% of their income on rent, more than the 21% in Decatur.

Climate-wise, Columbia is notably warmer with an average of 66.5°F compared to 63.2°F in Decatur. Columbia receives more rainfall at 58.9" per year compared to 58.2" in Decatur.