Town in Colorado County

Living in Columbus, TX

B-

306th of 745Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people
Overall score 58 of 100

Columbus gets an overall grade of B- and ranks 306th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on errands and things to do and getting around, and trails on internet access and home ownership. It is a strong pick for young professionals.

  • Good for young professionals
  • Errands close by
  • Home ownership scores low (18 of 100)
  • Internet access scores low (17 of 100)
Map of Texas showing where Columbus isHoustonSan AntonioDallasAustinFort WorthColumbus
Where Columbus is in Texas.
Population
3,821+3.6% since 2020
Median rent
$87937% lower than Texas
Median home value
$241,70015% lower than Texas
Household income
$49,418Median
Average commute
21 minOne way
Violent crime
428Per 100k, 2025

What it's like to live in Columbus

Columbus is a town in Colorado County. 3,821 people lived here in 2025, up 3.6% from 2020. It is spread out.

Places locals use include Midtown Park, City Park and Columbus Garden Club Certified Butterfly Garden.

The median age is 34.6, 30% of households have children, 69% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $49,418 a year (37% lower than the Texas median).

Pros of living in Columbus

  • Lower rent. Median rent is $879, 37% lower than the Texas median.
  • Short commutes. The average trip to work takes 21 minutes, against 27 across Texas.
  • Plenty close to home. 9 grocery stores, 36 restaurants and 6 parks are mapped in town.

Cons of living in Columbus

  • Homes are pricey for local incomes. The median home costs 4.9 times the median household income, against 3.6 times across Texas.
  • Higher poverty. 31% of people live below the poverty line, against 14% across Texas.
  • Natural hazard risk. FEMA rates the risk of river flooding, hurricanes and tornadoes as very high here.
  • Long, hot summers. Expect about 132 days a year at 90°F or hotter.

Who Columbus suits

  • FamiliesA reasonable fit: 67% of rated schools earn an A or B and violent crime is 10% higher than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 41% for families.
  • Young professionalsA reasonable fit: household income is 37% lower than the Texas median, with 36 restaurants and 8 cafes in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 93% for young professionals.
  • RetireesA reasonable fit: 19% of working-age adults are uninsured and violent crime is 10% higher than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 54% for retirees.
  • Remote workersA reasonable fit: 82% of homes have broadband and the median rent of $879 is 37% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 45% for remote workers.
  • People on a budgetA reasonable fit: the median rent of $879 is 37% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 41% for people on a budget.

Columbus report card

Ten grades, one for each part of daily life we measure. Most compare Columbus with other US towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. Schools, safety and errands compare it with other Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people.

  • Cost of living: grade C+

    Median rent $879, homes cost 4.9x income.

    51 of 100 vs US towns

  • Jobs and income: grade D

    Median household income $49,418, 3.2% unemployed.

    21 of 100 vs US towns

  • Schools: grade C+

    3 rated campuses, 67% rated A or B.

    50 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Safety: grade D+

    428 violent crimes per 100k, 579 property crimes per 100k.

    25 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Errands and things to do: grade A+

    9 grocery stores, 36 restaurants, 6 parks mapped in town.

    99 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Getting around: grade A

    Average commute 21 min, 9.3% work from home.

    89 of 100 vs US towns

  • Education levels: grade C

    28% have a bachelor’s degree.

    44 of 100 vs US towns

  • Health: grade D+

    19% of adults uninsured.

    26 of 100 vs US towns

  • Home ownership: grade D

    69% of homes owner-occupied.

    18 of 100 vs US towns

  • Internet access: grade D

    82% of homes have broadband.

    17 of 100 vs US towns

Where Columbus stands out compared with Texas

Better than Texas

  • Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent: 34%17 points lower than Texas (52%)
  • Median rent: $87937% lower than Texas ($1,403)
  • Average commute: 21 min20% lower than Texas (27 min)

Worse than Texas

  • People below the poverty line: 31%18 points higher than Texas (14%)
  • Median household income: $49,41837% lower than Texas ($78,476)
  • Home value to income: 4.9x35% higher than Texas (3.6x)

Cost of living in Columbus

Rent is the cost most newcomers feel first. The median rent in Columbus is $879 a month, 37% lower than the Texas median of $1,403. To keep that rent at 30% of income, a household needs to earn about $35,000 a year. Right now 34% of renters here pay more than 30% of their income on rent.

HUD sets fair market rents for this area at $964 for a one-bedroom, $1,211 for a two-bedroom and $1,472 for a three-bedroom (fiscal year 2027). These figures include utilities and describe a modest unit, so newer apartments often ask for more.

The median home is worth $241,700, 15% lower than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $1,323 before tax, or $1,547 with property tax. That is $668 a month more than the median rent, so renting is the cheaper monthly choice unless you plan to stay for years.

Texas has no state income tax, but it leans on property taxes instead, though they are lighter here than in much of the state. The median homeowner in Columbus pays $2,685 a year, 37% lower than the Texas median of $4,232. Budget for it, along with homeowners insurance, which our numbers do not include.

Typical rent by apartment size

Fair market rent by bedroom count in ColumbusStudio$9211 bedroom$9642 bedrooms$1,2113 bedrooms$1,4724 bedrooms$1,744
HUD fair market rent for FY2027, Colorado County, TX. This is what a typical, modest unit rents for, including utilities.
MeasureHereTexasUS
Median rent37% lower than Texas$879$1,403$1,413
Median home value15% lower than Texas$241,700$283,800$332,700
Home value to income35% higher than Texas4.9x3.6x4.1x
Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent17 points lower than Texas34%52%51%
Median property tax per year37% lower than Texas$2,685$4,232$3,119
Homes owned by the people living in them6 points higher than Texas69%63%65%
Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas196919921980

Monthly cost to buy a median home

$1,547
Mortgage payment
$1,323
Property tax
$224
Median rent, for comparison
$879

Based on a $241,700 home in Columbus, 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28% (Freddie Mac average, week of 2026-10-01). Property tax is the median paid locally, or the county median where the local figure is not published. Insurance and fees are not included.

Is Columbus safe?

In 2025, Columbus Police Department reported 17 violent crimes and 23 property crimes. That works out to 428 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 10% higher than the Texas rate of 387, and 579 property crimes per 100,000, 72% lower than the state rate.

Violent crime is up about 13% since 2021, based on the yearly rates below.

Crime rates describe the whole area a police department covers. Some streets are much quieter than the average and some are busier, so look at the neighborhood grades and visit at different times of day.

Violent crimes per 100,000 people in Columbus by yearTexas42820212022202320242025

Violent crimes per 100,000 people by year. The dashed line is the Texas rate for 2025.

Violent crime
428
per 100k, Texas 387
Property crime
579
per 100k, Texas 2,086
Property crimes per 100,000 people in Columbus by yearTexas57920212022202320242025

Property crimes per 100,000 people by year.

Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer, Columbus Police Department, 2025. Rates count reported crimes only and cover the area this police department serves.

Schools in Columbus

Columbus has 3 public school campuses with a 2025 state rating inside the city, and 67% of them earn an A or B. Most students here are served by Columbus ISD.

Texas districts usually assign students by attendance zone rather than the closest campus, so check the zone for a specific address with the district before you sign a lease or buy.

Schools grade
50
of 100 vs Texas towns
Average rating
80
Texas median 81

Ratings are the 2025 Texas Education Agency A to F accountability ratings. Always check which school serves a specific address with the district.

Top-rated schools

  • BColumbus High SchoolHigh, Columbus ISD89 of 100
  • BColumbus ElementaryElementary, Columbus ISD81 of 100
  • CColumbus Junior HighMiddle, Columbus ISD71 of 100

Daily life in Columbus

Everyday places mapped inside Columbus, from Overture Maps. Well-known spots include Midtown Park, City Park, Columbus Garden Club Certified Butterfly Garden.

The average one-way commute is 21 minutes, 20% shorter than the Texas average. 9% of workers work from home. 8.3% walk, bike or take transit to work.

The median household income is $49,418, income per person is $30,453, unemployment is 3.2% and 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.

Grocery stores
9
Pharmacies
3
Restaurants
36
Cafes
8
Bars
2
Parks
6
Gyms
8
Hospitals and urgent care
1
Childcare
1
Libraries
1

Jobs, income and education

MeasureHereTexasUS
Median household income37% lower than Texas$49,418$78,476$80,734
Income per person25% lower than Texas$30,453$40,752$44,673
Unemployment rate2 points lower than Texas3.2%5.3%5.2%
People below the poverty line18 points higher than Texas31%14%12%
Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher6 points lower than Texas28%34%36%
Adults with a high school diploma or higher1 points higher than Texas87%86%90%
Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance1 points lower than Texas19%20%11%
Homes with broadband internet9 points lower than Texas82%91%91%

Getting to work

MeasureHereTexasUS
Average commute20% lower than Texas21 min27 min26 min
Workers who work from home5 points lower than Texas9.3%14%15%
Workers who work from home9.3%
Workers who take transit0%
Workers who walk8.3%
Workers who bike0%

Who lives in Columbus

Under 1832%
18 to 3419%
35 to 6429%
65 and over19%

Median age 34.6 years. 30% of households have children.

Race and ethnicity
White48%
Hispanic or Latino41%
Black8.5%
Asian1.7%
Other or more than one race1.1%

Shown for information only. It is never part of any grade.

Weather in Columbus

Columbus has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 96°F and January lows about 39°F. There are about 132 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 45 inches of rain a year.

Average monthly high and low temperatures in Columbus30°50°70°90°64J68F75M81A88M93J96J98A93S85O74N66DRain

Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from Columbus, 1 mi away. Orange months average 90°F or more.

Natural hazard risk

FEMA's National Risk Index says river flooding risk is very high, hurricane risk is very high, tornado risk is very high and hail risk is very high. Before you buy, look up the FEMA flood zone for the exact address and get a flood insurance quote, since standard home policies do not cover floods.

  • River floodingVery high
  • HurricanesVery high
  • TornadoesVery high
  • HailVery high
  • Heat wavesVery high
  • WildfiresVery high
  • Winter stormsHigh
  • Strong windVery high

Source: FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025, Census tract level averaged for the city. Check the FEMA flood map for any address before you buy.

Places near Columbus

Nearby, Glidden gets a B-, Weimar gets an A- and Eagle Lake gets an A-. Each is graded against Texas places of its own size, so a small town and a big city can both earn an A.

  1. B-GliddenTown, 1,071 people2 mi
  2. A-WeimarTown, 2,928 people13 mi
  3. A-Eagle LakeTown, 3,485 people16 mi
  4. FSchulenburgTown, 2,768 people21 mi
  5. CLa GrangeTown, 4,452 people24 mi
  6. B-BellvilleTown, 4,221 people24 mi

Living in Columbus: common questions

Is Columbus, TX a good place to live?

Columbus gets an overall grade of B- and ranks 306th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on errands and things to do and getting around, and trails on internet access and home ownership. It is a strong pick for young professionals.

How much does it cost to live in Columbus?

Median rent in Columbus is $879 a month, 37% lower than the Texas median. The median home is worth $241,700, 15% lower than the Texas median. A median home costs 4.9x the median household income, compared with 3.6x across Texas. With 20% down at a 7.28% rate, the monthly payment on a median home is about $1,547, including property tax.

Is Columbus safe?

In 2025, Columbus Police Department reported 428 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 10% higher than the Texas rate. Property crime was 579 per 100,000, 72% lower than the Texas rate.

Are the schools good in Columbus?

We found 3 rated public school campuses inside Columbus. 67% are rated A or B by the Texas Education Agency. Its schools score is 50 of 100 compared with other Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people.

Does Columbus flood?

FEMA rates river flooding risk in Columbus as very high, and coastal flooding as not rated. Hazards rated high or very high here: river flooding, hurricanes, tornadoes, heat waves, hail, wildfires, winter storms and strong wind. Always check the flood map for a specific address before you buy.

What is the weather like in Columbus?

Summers in Columbus peak at about 96°F in July, and January nights fall to about 39°F. Expect around 132 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 45 inches of rain.

How long is the commute in Columbus?

The average one-way commute is 21 min, 20% lower than the Texas average. About 9.3% of workers work from home.

Sources: US Census Bureau 2020-2024 ACS 5-year and 2025 population estimates, CDC PLACES 2025, Texas Education Agency 2025 ratings, FBI Crime Data Explorer, FEMA National Risk Index, NOAA climate normals, HUD fair market rents, Overture Maps. Updated 2026-10-04. How we grade.