In Columbia City, a typical home is worth $189,100 and typical rent is $963 a month. Compared with all of Whitley County, the typical home value is 14% lower, typical household income is 13% lower, and the share of households that own their home is 17 points lower.
Typical home value from Zillow, September 2021 to September 2026: from $215,021 to $286,217.
From Zillow (ZHVI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).
Columbia City is in Whitley 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 Whitley County. See the county
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
1
Nearby, in Huntington, the typical home value is $119,500: 37% less than in Columbia City ($189,100).
2
65% of households in Columbia City own their home, against 82% in Whitley County.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).
The homes here
Housing in Columbia City
What homes there are in Columbia City, 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 City
Whitley County
Indiana
United States
Kind of home: Columbia City and its comparisons
Measure
Columbia City
Whitley County
Indiana
United States
Detached house
68%
84%
73%
61%
Attached house
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
4%
6%
Building of 2 to 4
6%
3%
6%
8%
Apartments (5 or more)
Unreliable estimate
6%
13%
19%
Mobile home
Unreliable estimate
6%
4%
6%
Boat, RV and other
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
0%
0%
The detached house is still the most common home in Columbia City, but it weighs less than in Whitley County: 68% against 84%.
Year built
Before 19601960–19791980–19992000–20092010 or later
Columbia City
Whitley County
Indiana
United States
Year built: Columbia City and its comparisons
Measure
Columbia City
Whitley County
Indiana
United States
Before 1960
32%
33%
31%
26%
1960–1979
14%
18%
24%
24%
1980–1999
26%
27%
23%
25%
2000–2009
18%
13%
12%
14%
2010 or later
10%
10%
10%
11%
What it costs here
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Value of owner-occupied homes
Under the limitOver the limitUnreliable estimate
Under $100K14%
$100K–$200K40%
$200K–$300K32%
$300K–$500K13%
$500K–$750KUnreliable
FHA limit: $541,287
$750K–$1MUnreliable
$1M or moreUnreliable
Value of owner-occupied homes: Columbia City and its comparisons
Measure
Columbia City
Under $100K
14%
$100K–$200K
40%
$200K–$300K
32%
$300K–$500K
13%
$500K–$750K
Unreliable estimate
$750K–$1M
Unreliable
$1M or more
Unreliable
With an FHA limit of $541,287, at least 99% of owner-occupied homes in Columbia City sit below it: they are worth less than $500,000.
Monthly rent with utilities
Unreliable estimate
Under $500Unreliable
$500–$99945%
$1,000–$1,49939%
$1,500–$1,999Unreliable
$2,000–$2,499Unreliable
$2,500–$2,999Unreliable
$3,000 or moreUnreliable
Monthly rent with utilities: Columbia City and its comparisons
Measure
Columbia City
Under $500
Unreliable estimate
$500–$999
45%
$1,000–$1,499
39%
$1,500–$1,999
Unreliable estimate
$2,000–$2,499
Unreliable
$2,500–$2,999
Unreliable
$3,000 or more
Unreliable
With a mortgage
$1,151 a month
Whitley County: $1,284 a month
Without a mortgage
$581 a month
Whitley County: $530 a month
Owners with a mortgage
71%
Whitley County: 63%
The typical cost for an owner with a mortgage in Columbia City is $1,151 a month, less than in Whitley County ($1,284); without one, $581.
How it changed
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024
Change since 2015–2019
Typical home value
Columbia City+51%
Whitley County+53%
Indiana+54%
United States+53%
Typical rent
Columbia City+55%
Whitley County+29%
Indiana+29%
United States+33%
Typical household income
Columbia City+45%
Whitley County+27%
Indiana+28%
United States+29%
Change since 2015–2019: Columbia City and its comparisons
Measure
Columbia City
Whitley County
Indiana
United States
Typical home value
+51%
+53%
+54%
+53%
Typical rent
+55%
+29%
+29%
+33%
Typical household income
+45%
+27%
+28%
+29%
Much as in Whitley County, the typical home value in Columbia City rose 51% since 2015–2019.
Since 2015–2019, the typical rent in Columbia City rose 55%, more than in Whitley County (29%).
The typical household income in Columbia City rose 45%: less than home values (+51%) and rent (+55%).
How people live
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
How people live: Columbia City and its comparisons
Measure
Columbia City
Whitley County
Indiana
United States
Rental vacancy
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
5.6%
5.5%
Homeowner vacancy
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
0.8%
0.9%
More than one person per room
Unreliable estimate
1.6%
1.8%
3.4%
People per household
2.22
2.44
2.46
2.53
Drive alone
86%
82%
76%
69%
Carpool
5%
7%
9%
9%
Public transit
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
1%
3%
Walk or bike
Unreliable estimate
1%
2%
3%
Work from home
6%
8%
11%
15%
Other means
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
1%
2%
Typical commute
Unreliable estimate
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
Fewer people live in each home here: 2.22 on average, against 2.44 in Whitley County.
To get to work, 86% of workers in Columbia City drive alone; in Whitley County, 82%.
Do the math
What would you pay each month for a home in Columbia City?
A typical home is within reach of the typical income
We start with a typical home in Columbia City, worth $189,100, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 27% of the typical household income in Columbia City, which is $68,089 a year.
The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Whitley 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 City. 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 $6,619 (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
$1,538
at 7.18% · 30 years
Loan amount
$185,674
Total interest
$267,142
Paid off in
November 2056
Includes $3,193 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.
Does it fit the income?
Comfortable
up to $1,589 a month
Your payment · 27%
Tight
$1,589 to $2,043 a month
Hard
more than $2,043 a month
Compared with the typical household income in Columbia City ($68,089 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.
Monthly payment breakdown
Principal & interest
$1,258
Property tax
$118
Home insurance
$79
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)
$84
You need at least $6,619 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 $1,538; principal and interest $1,258.
The city and its county
Columbia City and Whitley County
Columbia City is in Whitley County, Indiana. 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 City
Map of Whitley County, Indiana, with Columbia City marked. Around it, the neighboring counties.
Columbia City
Whitley County
Other cities with a page
Columbia City's own numbers
Typical home value
$189,100
Typical monthly rent
$963
Typical yearly household income
$68,089
Households that own their home
65%
Effective property tax rate
0.75%
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).
Numbers for all of Whitley County
FHA limit, one-unit home
$541,287
Conventional limit, one unit
$832,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$1,248
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+57%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
1.4%
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 Whitley County.
A typical home in Columbia City is worth $189,100: 14% below the county and 13% below Indiana. With the typical household income in Columbia City ($68,089 a year), a typical home costs 2.8 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.
Columbia City2.8 years
Whitley2.8 years
Indiana3.0 years
United States4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024
How prices have changed in Whitley County
According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Whitley County rose 95% in the 10 years through 2025.
FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of Whitley County.
Yearly change in FHFA’s price index in Whitley County, 2016 to 2025
2016: +3.4% +3.4% 2016
2017: +4.0% +4.0% 2017
2018: +6.3% +6.3% 2018
2019: +5.6% +5.6% 2019
2020: +2.8% +2.8% 2020
2021: +12.0% +12.0% 2021
2022: +14.2% +14.2% 2022
2023: +11.6% +11.6% 2023
2024: +5.8% +5.8% 2024
2025: +4.0% +4.0% 2025
Change in FHFA’s price index in Whitley County, Indiana and the United States
Period
County
Indiana
U.S.
Last year (2025)
+4.0%
+4.3%
+2.9%
5 years (2020–2025)
+57%
+53%
+47%
10 years (2015–2025)
+95%
+95%
+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 City next to Whitley County, Indiana and the U.S.
Three numbers side by side. “Typical” means the median: half are above it and half below.
Typical home value
Columbia City$189,100
Whitley$219,400
Indiana$218,200
United States$332,700
Typical monthly rent
Columbia City$963
Whitley$934
Indiana$1,062
United States$1,413
Typical yearly household income
Columbia City$68,089
Whitley$78,083
Indiana$71,957
United States$80,734
See the full table
Columbia City next to Whitley County and Indiana
Measure
Columbia City
Whitley County
Indiana
U.S.
Typical home value
$189,100 ▼14% below the county
$219,400
$218,200
$332,700
Typical monthly rent
$963 ▲3% above the county
$934
$1,062
$1,413
Typical yearly household income
$68,089 ▼13% below the county
$78,083
$71,957
$80,734
Households that own their home
65% ▼17 points below the county
82%
71%
65%
Typical yearly property tax
$1,421 ▼8% below the county
$1,537
$1,614
$3,119
Effective property tax rate
0.75% ▲0.05 points above the county
0.7%
0.74%
0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income
44% ▲3 points above the county
41%
48%
51%
“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Whitley 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 City
For a typical $189,100 home in Columbia City, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Columbia City's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.
FHA, 3.5% down$1,538a month
Least cash to close
Down payment
$6,619
Cash to close
$12,292
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
FHA MIP · $84
Conventional, 5% down$1,504a month
Down payment
$9,455
Cash to close
$15,128
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
PMI · $90
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI$1,222a month
Down payment
$37,820
Cash to close
$43,493
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
ITIN, 15% down (example)$1,397a month
Down payment
$28,365
Cash to close
$34,038
Rate
8.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Columbia City
Loan
Monthly payment
Down payment
Loan amount
Rate
Mortgage insurance
Cash to close
Minimum score
FHA, 3.5% down Least cash to close
$1,538
$6,619
$185,675
7.18%
FHA MIP · $84
$12,292
580
Conventional, 5% down
$1,504
$9,455
$179,645
7.18%
PMI · $90
$15,128
620*
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI
$1,222
$37,820
$151,280
7.18%
None
$43,493
620*
ITIN, 15% down (example)
$1,397
$28,365
$160,735
8.18%
None
$34,038
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 City is $963 a month: 3% above the county. In Columbia City, 44% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Whitley County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($1,248 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $24.00 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 Whitley County (Fiscal year 2027)
Size
Fair rent a month
Hourly wage
Yearly income
Studio
$1,025
$19.71
$41,000
1 bedroom
$1,026
$19.73
$41,040
2 bedrooms
$1,248
$24.00
$49,920
3 bedrooms
$1,534
$29.50
$61,360
4 bedrooms
$1,679
$32.29
$67,160
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 City
HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Columbia City is in ZIP code 46725.
For 2 bedrooms it is $1,200: $48 less than the fair market rent for Whitley County ($1,248).
Fair market rent by ZIP code and size in Columbia City, fiscal year 2027.
ZIP code
Studio
1 bd
2 bd
3 bd
4 bd
46725
$980
$980
$1,200
$1,470
$1,620
ZIP code2 bd3 bd
46725 $1,200$1,470
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 City 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)
HUD lists 6 buildings with rents for lower incomes in Columbia City. These are the largest.
Historic Blue Bell Lofts307 S Whitley St, Columbia City 4672552 low-income homes · 1 bd: 4 · 2 bd: 48 · In service since 2017 · For older adults
Trail Ridge Apts675 W Business 30, Columbia City 4672540 homes, 35 low-income · 1 bd: 4 · 2 bd: 20 · 3 bd: 12 · 4 bd: 4 · In service since 2005
Blue River Apartments904 Blue River Dr, Columbia City 4672530 low-income homes · For older adults(260) 248-2254
Heritage Place107 N Walnut St, Columbia City 4672522 low-income homes · 3 bd: 17 · 4 bd: 5 · In service since 2008 · For people with disabilities, families, people experiencing homelessness
Whitley Meadows Apts984 E Hanna St, Columbia City 4672521 low-income homes · 1 bd: 8 · 2 bd: 12 · 3 bd: 1 · In service since 2004 · For families
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 Whitley 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 City or Whitley County. The ones below are statewide in Indiana: they work in Columbia City the same as in the rest of the state.
Indiana state agency program with down payment assistance of 2.5% or 3.5% of the price, alongside a 30-year FHA or conventional mortgage.Offered by Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA).
Indiana state agency 30-year FHA or conventional mortgage for first-time buyers (or homes in designated areas), with down payment assistance as a second mortgage with no interest or payments, repaid when the first mortgage ends.Offered by Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA).
The HUD-approved agencies closest to the center of Columbia City, in a straight line, nearest first. If one says it serves in Spanish, its card says so.
LG
Lacasa of Goshen, Inc.
202 N Cottage Ave, Goshen · 35 miles away · Spanish
No legal help resource on our list is for Columbia City or Whitley 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 City and all of Whitley 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 City?
The typical home value in Columbia City is $189,100, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Whitley County it is $219,400.
How much does it cost to rent in Columbia City?
Typical rent in Columbia City is $963 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Whitley County is $1,248.
What is the FHA loan limit in Columbia City?
Columbia City uses the FHA limit for all of Whitley 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 City?
The typical homeowner in Columbia City pays $1,421 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 0.75% of the home’s value; in Whitley County, the rate is 0.7%.
Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Columbia City?
We found no HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in Whitley County; the nearest ones are on this page. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.
