Columbia, MS vs Greenwood, MS

Columbia, MS and Greenwood, MS have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.7% difference in their overall index. Columbia scores 60 while Greenwood scores 62 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 Columbia is $656/month compared to $743/month in Greenwood — a 12% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Columbia has cheaper rent, Greenwood actually has lower median home values ($98,500 vs $112,100).

Median household income in Columbia is $34,328 compared to $34,659 in Greenwood (-1%). Greenwood does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Columbia spend roughly 22.9% of their income on rent, less than the 25.7% in Greenwood.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (66.5°F vs 64°F). Columbia receives more rainfall at 58.9" per year compared to 51.8" in Greenwood.