Commute
High commute scores indicates that public transit should be easily accessible in this area and the average commute time to work is less than average.
Cost Of Living
The overall cost of living in this area is much lower than average. This includes everyday goods and services, as well as housing, utilities and health care.
Crime
With a lower than average crime rate per 100,000 people, this area could be considered a very safe place to live. Crime rates are based on both violent and property crimes.
Employment
The combination of higher than average median home income, income per capita and low unemployment rates results in a score that is well above average in the employment category.
Housing
This area has received high scores in the housing category. This could be due to a positive home affordability ratio, high appreciation rates or elevated home values.
Amenities
A majority of amenities are not ideally situated within a reasonable walking distance, which may lead residents to rely on a vehicle or public transportation.
Health & Safety
Poor air quality and the inaccessibility of certain health related facilities like hospitals, clinics, doctors and pharmacies could have all contributed to the low score in this category.
Columbia is a moderately-sized city located in the state of Illinois. The city has a population of 10,692 residents. If we look at the most recent Census, Columbia is known to have a predominantly White population. The next two most common races are Asian and Black. Columbia is known to be family friendly as more than 70% of the population has already tied the knot. It might also be worth noting that 56% of residents also have children under the age of 18. On a daily basis, the typical American spends approximately 26 minutes on their one-way work commute. Reduced travel times not only contributes to increased overall happiness, but also affords more opportunities to cherish moments with family and friends. If you're living in Columbia, your commute time will align closely with the national average, spanning a one-way duration of approximately 26 minutes.
Whether you’re moving to a new city to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Columbia could be a positive experience compared to other cities in Illinois if you know where to search. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like crime, cost of living, commute, you can easily compare the best places to live in Columbia and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Columbia to Illinois and the national average.
Columbia, IL receives 77/100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #121 in Illinois and #2,429 in the USA. This is a fantastic score, as Columbia ranks well in multiple categories! Columbia has also earned the rare honor of ranking in the top 10 percentile among all cities. If we check out each of the categories on their own, we see that Columbia ranks well for crime (A+), cost of living (A), education (B) and housing (A+). Regrettably for Columbia, there are some categories for which it does not rank well, this includes: amenities (F).
The Columbia unemployment rate of 1.67% has continued to decrease over the years and is now well below the national average. The result could lead to reduced poverty and inequality in the area, higher wages and increased economic growth. This is a positive sign in the overall health of the local economy.
For home buyers, real estate will be the largest purchase they will ever make and it will also be their most valuable asset. For renters, the monthly rent paid on their Columbia apartments will most likely be their largest expense. Based on tangible metrics like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates, housing in this area has received a score that is well above the average of every other US city. A thriving real estate market can also generate strong local economic activity and job creation.
Assuming that Columbia meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Columbia. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Columbia are simply unattainable. Median real estate prices in Columbia come in at $228,300, which is 30.6% higher than the Illinois average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Columbia, the home price to income ratio is 2.1, which is 30% lower than the Illinois average.
| Statistic | Columbia | Illinois | National |
| Average one way commute | 26min | 29min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 87.7% | 73.4% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 6.2% | 8.3% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 0.3% | 9.2% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.0% | 0.6% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 0.7% | 3.1% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 5.1% | 4.4% | 4.6% |
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