Typical home value from Zillow, September 2021 to September 2026: from $265,135 to $342,613.
From Zillow (ZHVI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).
Columbia is in Monroe County. The FHA loan limit ($541,287 for a one-unit home), the fair market rents and the help on this page are those of all of Monroe County. See the county
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
1
Nearby, in East St. Louis, the typical home value is $52,600: 82% less than in Columbia ($293,000).
2
Nearby, in East St. Louis, the typical rent is $847: 25% less than in Columbia ($1,128).
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).
The homes here
Housing in Columbia
What homes there are in Columbia, what they cost, how that changed and how people live, from Census figures (2020–2024).
What homes there are
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Kind of home
Detached houseAttached houseBuilding of 2 to 4Apartments (5 or more)Mobile homeBoat, RV and otherUnreliable estimate
Columbia
Monroe County
Illinois
United States
Kind of home: Columbia and its comparisons
Measure
Columbia
Monroe County
Illinois
United States
Detached house
81%
84%
58%
61%
Attached house
4%
4%
6%
6%
Building of 2 to 4
Unreliable estimate
4%
12%
8%
Apartments (5 or more)
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
22%
19%
Mobile home
Unreliable estimate
2%
2%
6%
Boat, RV and other
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
0%
0%
As in Monroe County, most homes in Columbia are detached houses (81%).
Year built
Before 19601960–19791980–19992000–20092010 or later
Columbia
Monroe County
Illinois
United States
Year built: Columbia and its comparisons
Measure
Columbia
Monroe County
Illinois
United States
Before 1960
18%
21%
38%
26%
1960–1979
19%
20%
26%
24%
1980–1999
28%
27%
20%
25%
2000–2009
20%
20%
11%
14%
2010 or later
15%
12%
6%
11%
In Columbia, half of the homes were built before 1991; in Monroe County, before 1990.
Much as in Monroe County, 73% of homes in Columbia have 3 bedrooms or more.
What it costs here
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Value of owner-occupied homes
Unreliable estimate
Under $100KUnreliable
$100K–$200K19%
$200K–$300K28%
$300K–$500K36%
$500K–$750KUnreliable
$750K–$1MUnreliable
$1M or moreUnreliable
Value of owner-occupied homes: Columbia and its comparisons
Measure
Columbia
Under $100K
Unreliable estimate
$100K–$200K
19%
$200K–$300K
28%
$300K–$500K
36%
$500K–$750K
Unreliable estimate
$750K–$1M
Unreliable estimate
$1M or more
Unreliable estimate
Monthly rent with utilities
Unreliable estimate
Under $500Unreliable
$500–$999Unreliable
$1,000–$1,49959%
$1,500–$1,999Unreliable
$2,000–$2,499Unreliable
$2,500–$2,999Unreliable
$3,000 or moreUnreliable
Monthly rent with utilities: Columbia and its comparisons
Measure
Columbia
Under $500
Unreliable estimate
$500–$999
Unreliable estimate
$1,000–$1,499
59%
$1,500–$1,999
Unreliable estimate
$2,000–$2,499
Unreliable
$2,500–$2,999
Unreliable
$3,000 or more
Unreliable
With a mortgage
$1,966 a month
Monroe County: $1,973 a month
Without a mortgage
$827 a month
Monroe County: $769 a month
Owners with a mortgage
63%
Monroe County: 59%
In Columbia, 63% of owners have a mortgage; their typical cost is $1,966 a month, about the same as in Monroe County.
How it changed
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024
Change since 2015–2019
Typical home value
Columbia+35%
Monroe County+34%
Illinois+35%
United States+53%
Typical rent
Columbia+27%
Monroe County+20%
Illinois+26%
United States+33%
Typical household income
ColumbiaNo clear change
Monroe County+20%
Illinois+27%
United States+29%
Change since 2015–2019: Columbia and its comparisons
Measure
Columbia
Monroe County
Illinois
United States
Typical home value
+35%
+34%
+35%
+53%
Typical rent
+27%
+20%
+26%
+33%
Typical household income
No clear change
+20%
+27%
+29%
Much as in Monroe County, the typical home value in Columbia rose 35% since 2015–2019.
Since 2015–2019, the typical rent in Columbia rose 27%, more than in Monroe County (20%).
How people live
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
How people live: Columbia and its comparisons
Measure
Columbia
Monroe County
Illinois
United States
Rental vacancy
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
5.0%
5.5%
Homeowner vacancy
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
1.0%
0.9%
More than one person per room
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
2.5%
3.4%
People per household
2.48
2.51
2.46
2.53
Drive alone
82%
80%
66%
69%
Carpool
Unreliable estimate
6%
8%
9%
Public transit
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
6%
3%
Walk or bike
Unreliable estimate
2%
3%
3%
Work from home
13%
13%
16%
15%
Other means
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
1%
2%
Typical commute
20 to 29 minutes
Unreliable estimate
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
Much as in Monroe County, a household in Columbia has 2.48 people on average.
In Columbia, 82% of workers drive alone to work; in Monroe County, 80%.
Do the math
What would you pay each month for a home in Columbia?
A typical home is tight for the typical income
We start with a typical home in Columbia, worth $293,000, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 30% of the typical household income in Columbia, which is $107,606 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $113,461 a year.
The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Monroe County.
Change the price, the down payment or the loan: the payment updates right away.
Your numbers
Local data
$
Starts at the typical home value in Columbia. Change it to the price you have in mind.
Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.
Down payment
%
That is $10,255 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.
This week's average ± a quarter or half point.
National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.
Adjust advanced details⌄
Estimated monthly payment
Local data
$2,647
at 7.18% · 30 years
Loan amount
$287,693
Total interest
$413,923
Paid off in
November 2056
Includes $4,948 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.
Does it fit the income?
Comfortable
up to $2,511 a month
Tight
$2,511 to $3,228 a month
Your payment · 30%
Hard
more than $3,228 a month
Compared with the typical household income in Columbia ($107,606 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.
Monthly payment breakdown
Principal & interest
$1,949
Property tax
$447
Home insurance
$122
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)
$130
You need at least $10,255 for the down payment, plus closing costs.
This is an estimate to give you an idea, not a loan offer. Your real payment depends on your rate, your credit, and the insurance and taxes on the home you buy.
Total monthly payment $2,647; principal and interest $1,949.
The city and its county
Columbia and Monroe County
Columbia is in Monroe County, Illinois. The U.S. Census Bureau publishes its own numbers for the city: home values, rent, household income, how many households own their home and the property tax. They are American Community Survey estimates (average 2020–2024).
Columbia
Map of Monroe County, Illinois, with Columbia marked. Around it, the neighboring counties.
Columbia
Monroe County
Other cities with a page
Columbia's own numbers
Typical home value
$293,000
Typical monthly rent
$1,128
Typical yearly household income
$107,606
Households that own their home
82%
Effective property tax rate
1.83%
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).
Numbers for all of Monroe County
FHA limit, one-unit home
$541,287
Conventional limit, one unit
$832,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$1,349
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+49%
HUD, FHFA and FEMA don't publish these numbers by city.
Other numbers are not published by city, only for the whole county: FHA and conventional loan limits, HUD’s fair market rents, FHFA’s price index and FEMA’s flood data. On this page, those numbers always say they are for all of Monroe County.
A typical home in Columbia is worth $293,000: 4% above the county and 11% above Illinois. With the typical household income in Columbia ($107,606 a year), a typical home costs 2.7 times what the household earns in a year.
Years of income to pay for a typical home
The typical home value divided by the typical household income for one year. The lower it is, the less buying weighs.
Columbia2.7 years
Monroe2.7 years
Illinois3.2 years
United States4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024
How prices have changed in Monroe County
According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Monroe County rose 72% in the 10 years through 2025.
FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of Monroe County.
Yearly change in FHFA’s price index in Monroe County, 2016 to 2025
2016: +2.5% +2.5% 2016
2017: +2.8% +2.8% 2017
2018: +3.9% +3.9% 2018
2019: +3.3% +3.3% 2019
2020: +1.6% +1.6% 2020
2021: +7.9% +7.9% 2021
2022: +13.1% +13.1% 2022
2023: +7.4% +7.4% 2023
2024: +7.1% +7.1% 2024
2025: +6.5% +6.5% 2025
Change in FHFA’s price index in Monroe County, Illinois and the United States
Period
County
Illinois
U.S.
Last year (2025)
+6.5%
+5.7%
+2.9%
5 years (2020–2025)
+49%
+47%
+47%
10 years (2015–2025)
+72%
+65%
+85%
The index follows the price of the same homes over time (sales and appraisals with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans). It is not the average price of a home. FHFA considers its annual county indexes experimental. Source: FHFA, 2025 data
Columbia next to Monroe County, Illinois and the U.S.
Three numbers side by side. “Typical” means the median: half are above it and half below.
Typical home value
Columbia$293,000
Monroe$282,100
Illinois$263,300
United States$332,700
Typical monthly rent
Columbia$1,128
Monroe$1,042
Illinois$1,274
United States$1,413
Typical yearly household income
Columbia$107,606
Monroe$102,880
Illinois$83,390
United States$80,734
See the full table
Columbia next to Monroe County and Illinois
Measure
Columbia
Monroe County
Illinois
U.S.
Typical home value
$293,000 ▲4% above the county
$282,100
$263,300
$332,700
Typical monthly rent
$1,128 ▲8% above the county
$1,042
$1,274
$1,413
Typical yearly household income
$107,606 ▲5% above the county
$102,880
$83,390
$80,734
Households that own their home
82% ▼2 points below the county
85%
67%
65%
Typical yearly property tax
$5,356 ▲17% above the county
$4,588
$5,298
$3,119
Effective property tax rate
1.83% ▲0.2 points above the county
1.63%
2.01%
0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income
50% ▲4 points above the county
47%
48%
51%
“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Monroe County. “High rent” is the Census measure: renter households that pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Columbia
For a typical $293,000 home in Columbia, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Columbia's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.
FHA, 3.5% down$2,647a month
Least cash to close
Down payment
$10,255
Cash to close
$19,045
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
FHA MIP · $130
Conventional, 5% down$2,594a month
Down payment
$14,650
Cash to close
$23,440
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
PMI · $139
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI$2,157a month
Down payment
$58,600
Cash to close
$67,390
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
ITIN, 15% down (example)$2,428a month
Down payment
$43,950
Cash to close
$52,740
Rate
8.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Columbia
Loan
Monthly payment
Down payment
Loan amount
Rate
Mortgage insurance
Cash to close
Minimum score
FHA, 3.5% down Least cash to close
$2,647
$10,255
$287,693
7.18%
FHA MIP · $130
$19,045
580
Conventional, 5% down
$2,594
$14,650
$278,350
7.18%
PMI · $139
$23,440
620*
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI
$2,157
$58,600
$234,400
7.18%
None
$67,390
620*
ITIN, 15% down (example)
$2,428
$43,950
$249,050
8.18%
None
$52,740
Set by the lender
The option that asks for the least cash to close is FHA, 3.5% down.
Cash to close = down payment plus 3% of the price in closing costs (example).
Minimum score: FHA requires 580 or higher for the minimum down payment (HUD Handbook 4000.1). * Fannie Mae requires 620 when a loan is underwritten by hand; its automated system has no fixed minimum.
The ITIN row is an example with a rate 1 percentage point higher: ITIN loans follow no federal rule and each lender sets its own down payment and rate. Nothing in this table promises an approval.
Typical rent in Columbia is $1,128 a month: 8% above the county. In Columbia, 50% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Monroe County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($1,349 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $25.94 an hour working full time.
What you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income, working full time.
HUD fair market rent in Monroe County (Fiscal year 2027)
Size
Fair rent a month
Hourly wage
Yearly income
Studio
$1,064
$20.46
$42,560
1 bedroom
$1,104
$21.23
$44,160
2 bedrooms
$1,349
$25.94
$53,960
3 bedrooms
$1,731
$33.29
$69,240
4 bedrooms
$1,997
$38.40
$79,880
Includes basic utilities. It isn't the lowest or highest rent: it's a reference point. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027
By ZIP code
Fair market rent by ZIP code in Columbia
HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Columbia is in ZIP code 62236.
For 2 bedrooms it is $1,360: $11 more than the fair market rent for Monroe County ($1,349).
Fair market rent by ZIP code and size in Columbia, fiscal year 2027.
ZIP code
Studio
1 bd
2 bd
3 bd
4 bd
62236
$1,070
$1,110
$1,360
$1,750
$2,010
ZIP code2 bd3 bd
62236 $1,360$1,750
1 of these ZIP codes crosses the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for Columbia when at least 50% of its land is inside the city or it covers at least 15% of the city (Census 2020 boundaries). Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD)Fiscal year 2027Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (external site)Source: Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship fileData from 2020 dataCensus Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file (external site)
You do not have to do this alone. A HUD-approved housing counseling agency helps for free or at low cost: getting ready to buy, understanding your credit, or solving a problem with your rent.
We found no HUD-approved agencies with an office in Monroe County. The nearest ones are below; many serve by phone or online.
No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for Columbia or Monroe County. The ones below are statewide in Illinois: they work in Columbia the same as in the rest of the state.
IHDA second loan with no payments until you sell or refinance, for the down payment in Illinois.Offered by Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA).
No legal help resource on our list is for Columbia or Monroe County in particular.
If you have a problem with your landlord, an eviction notice or a scam, the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) search shows the free legal aid offices that serve your area.
Short answers with the numbers for Columbia and all of Monroe County. If your case is different, a HUD-approved counseling agency can guide you for free or at low cost.
How much does a typical home cost in Columbia?
The typical home value in Columbia is $293,000, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Monroe County it is $282,100.
How much does it cost to rent in Columbia?
Typical rent in Columbia is $1,128 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Monroe County is $1,349.
What is the FHA loan limit in Columbia?
Columbia uses the FHA limit for all of Monroe County (2026): $541,287 for a one-unit home and $1,041,125 for a four-unit home.
How much property tax do owners pay in Columbia?
The typical homeowner in Columbia pays $5,356 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 1.83% of the home’s value; in Monroe County, the rate is 1.63%.
Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Columbia?
We found no HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in Monroe County; the nearest ones are on this page. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.
