2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Columbus, IN vs Decatur, IL

Change Cities
Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Decatur or is it cheaper to live in Columbus?
- Decatur is 12.3% less expensive than Columbus.

Which city has more affordable housing, Decatur or Columbus?
- Decatur housing costs are 67.0% less expensive than Columbus housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Columbus or is Health Care more affordable in Decatur.
- Health related expenses are 18.2% more in Decatur.
 Columbus, INDecatur, ILUnited States
 Overall  Unlock72.9100
 Food & Groceries94.5  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock111.0100
 Housing70.4  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$83,400$338,100
 Utilities99  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock70.0100
 Miscellaneous102.8  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
DID YOU KNOW?

In order to keep your same standard of living your salary can vary greatly - whether you buy or rent, require child care, or want to include taxes. This is why we are now offering a Premium Salary & Cost of Living Calculator.

Our Premium Calculator Includes:
- Compare Cities cost of living across 9 different categories
- Personal salary calculations can optionally include Home ownership or rental, Child care, and Taxes (with details on state and local sales, income, property and automobile taxes)
- Includes the cost of Child Care for toddlers or infants, at a day care center or home care
- Grocery prices, detailed for 29 staple items in six categories
- Difference in cost of Utilities, including electric, gas and fuel oil
- Health Care Premiums and hospital expenses for major surgeries
- Taxes, Fees and Expenses you should know about, such as local car insurance rates, automobile taxes and registration, commuting costs.
- and 100s of other items you should consider before you relocate

Upgrade to Premium | See Example

Reviews for Columbus    16 Reviews

Over 3 years ago

I grew up in Columbus Indiana and returned 38 years later after retiring. Columbus has always been a unique place to live and well above average for Indiana. However,  More

   |    Reply

Columbus is a beautiful town for young families or up and coming professionals. It has great restaurants, parks, architecture, and diverse recreation.   More

   |    Reply

Columbus is a friendly town that is welcoming to people from all backgrounds. It provides lots of amenities for young families with very close proximity to big cities  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Columbus

Reviews for Decatur    14 Reviews

I was sent here by the company I worked for in the '90's and was not initially impressed with midwest living. However, over the years I got used to living in the "Pride  More

   |    Reply

I grew up in Decatur and I still have family there, but it depresses me to see what it has become. It has a high unemployment rate, many business have closed or are run  More

   |    Reply

Over 14 years ago

If you enjoy drinking & driving, Decatur's fifteen drive-thru liquor windows, three times the # of drive-thru's than the ten largest cities in Illinois, COMBINED, will  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Decatur


Premium Subscription
Includes Cost of Living compares for child care, utilities, transportation, health, taxes, housing for home owners vs renters, weather, insurance premiums and so much more.


The premier source for comprehensive city data for over 30 years.

© Best Places. All rights reserved.