Bedroom count
Property type
Last updated on October 31, 2026
Average rent in
Columbia, SC
Average rent in
Last updated on October 31, 2026
Bedroom count
Property type
Key takeaways for renters
The bottom line
Columbia, SC rent is essentially flat year over year, with a current median of $1,518/month and renters paying $11 less per month than last year on average. Month over month, rents cooled 1.2%.
Compared to national trends
Columbia sits 20.1% more affordable than the $1,900/month national median, offering a lower-cost option for renters with 633 total rentals available across the city.
Price ranges
In Columbia, studios rent for around $1,009/month, 1-bedrooms for $1,042/month, 2-bedrooms for $1,275/month, 3-bedrooms for $1,750/month, and 4+ bedrooms reach $2,500/month. This range reflects the variety of bedroom sizes available to renters.
Neighborhood spotlight
University Hills rents rose 20.0% year over year to $2,505/month across 11 rentals, contrasting with the citywide trend of broadly flat rents.
Median rent
Median rent in Columbia
$1,518/mo
1%vs previous year
The average rent in Columbia is $1,518 per month as of October 2026. This is 20% below the national average rent, or $382 less per month.
average price per square foot
Total rentals
Available rentals in Columbia
633
for rent on Zumper.com as of October 2026
Rent price distribution
Share of Columbia rentals at each price point
Rent trends in Columbia, SC
Average rent prices in Columbia have decreased by 1% over the last month and have decreased by 1% since last year.
Rent trends
Rent prices on this page are calculated on a rolling 30-day basis and updated daily.
Compare rent prices in
Columbia, SC
Rent prices in Columbia vary by bedroom size, rental type, and neighborhood. The average rent for an apartment in Columbia is $1,249, whereas a house costs $1,788. 1-bedroom apartments in Columbia run $1,032 on average, while 2-bedroom apartments are $1,250.
Listings | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,009 | 14% |  1% | |
1 bedroom | $1,041 | No Change | 4% | |
2 bedroom | $1,275 | 2% | 2% | |
3 bedroom | $1,750 | No Change | 3% | |
4 bedroom | $2,500 | 4% | 16% |
Listings | ||
|---|---|---|
Central Rosewood | $1,500 | |
Earlewood | $1,895 | |
Elmwood Park | $1,162 | |
Hollywood Rosehill | $1,925 | |
Martin Luther King | $2,150 | |
Olympia | $2,750 | |
Shandon | $1,775 | |
South Kilbourne | $1,380 | |
The Congaree Vista | $1,750 | |
University Hills | $2,505 |
Listings | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Apartments | $1,249 | 1% | 1% | |
Condos | $1,200 | No Change | 7% | |
Houses | $1,788 | 1% | 2% | |
Rooms | $1,100 | No Change | - |
Studio
Average rent
$1,009
Last 30 days
14%
Last year
1%
1 bedroom
Average rent
$1,041
Last year
4%
2 bedroom
Average rent
$1,275
Last 30 days
2%
Last year
2%
3 bedroom
Average rent
$1,750
Last year
3%
4 bedroom
Average rent
$2,500
Last 30 days
4%
Last year
16%
South Kilbourne
Average rent
$1,380
Shandon
Average rent
$1,775
Martin Luther King
Average rent
$2,150
Hollywood Rosehill
Average rent
$1,925
Elmwood Park
Average rent
$1,162
Earlewood
Average rent
$1,895
University Hills
Average rent
$2,505
The Congaree Vista
Average rent
$1,750
Olympia
Average rent
$2,750
Central Rosewood
Average rent
$1,500
Apartments
Average rent
$1,249
Last 30 days
1%
Last year
1%
Condos
Average rent
$1,200
Last year
7%
Houses
Average rent
$1,788
Last 30 days
1%
Last year
2%
Rooms
Average rent
$1,100
The table above reflects average rent prices in Columbia, SC, broken down by the number of bedrooms, neighborhoods, and property types. The availability of data for each category is dependent on market inventory and will adjust depending on your selected filters.
How does rent in Columbia, SC compare to other cities?
Compare median rent prices in Columbia and Augusta by all bedroom counts and property types.
Columbia
20%lower than the national median
29%lower than the national median
Takeaway
The median rent for all rentals in Columbia, SC is 12% higher than the median rent in Augusta, GA.
Average rent in nearby cities
Explore rent trends in neighboring markets
$1,350
4%$1,997
5%$1,453
12%$1,495
$1,490
$1,981
2%$1,700
1%$1,750
2%$2,095
7%$1,945
$1,800
9%$1,550
5%Cost of living in Columbia, SC
Explore the cost of essential expenses, and then use our rent calculator to find out how much rent you can afford.
Expenses accrued by most renters | Average cost compared to national average |
|---|---|
| Goods & Services | 1% lower |
| Groceries | 1% lower |
| Health | 2% lower |
| Housing | 28% lower |
| Transportation | 4% lower |
| Utilities | No difference |
Discover rentals in Columbia, SC
5d+ ago
Elmwood Park condo for rent in Columbia
Studio
0 baths
$425
Additional fees apply. The price shown reflects base rent. Based on information provided by the property, additional fees may apply, but no required monthly charges have been confirmed. See all fees for details.Condo for rent
Available Dec 24
3d ago
Belmont house for rent in Columbia
5509 N Main St, Columbia, SC 29203
1 bed
1 bath
$550
Fees may apply. The price shown reflects base rent. Complete fee information is not available from the property, so additional fees may increase the total monthly cost.House for rent
Available Nov 1
3d ago
1513 Farrington Way, Columbia, SC 29210
1–3 beds
1–2 baths
$555–$1,735
Additional fees apply. The price shown reflects base rent. Based on information provided by the property, additional fees may apply, but no required monthly charges have been confirmed. See all fees for details.Apartment for rent
5d+ ago
Apartment for rent in Columbia
1007 Piney Woods Rd #A, Columbia, SC 29210
2 beds
1 bath
$790
Fees may apply. The price shown reflects base rent. Complete fee information is not available from the property, so additional fees may increase the total monthly cost.Apartment for rent
5d+ ago
Shandon apartment for rent in Columbia
106 106 Pickens StreetApt. B #B, Columbia, SC 29205
4 beds
2 baths
$5,500
Fees may apply. The price shown reflects base rent. Complete fee information is not available from the property, so additional fees may increase the total monthly cost.Apartment for rent
Available Aug 5
5d+ ago
Apartment for rent in Columbia
1408A Gregg St #A, Columbia, SC 29201
5 beds
3 baths
$5,000
Fees may apply. The price shown reflects base rent. Complete fee information is not available from the property, so additional fees may increase the total monthly cost.Apartment for rent
Available Jul 6
5d+ ago
University Hills house for rent in Columbia
3 beds
2 baths
$4,600
Fees may apply. The price shown reflects base rent. Complete fee information is not available from the property, so additional fees may increase the total monthly cost.House for rent
Available Mar 18
5d+ ago
Olympia house for rent in Columbia
617 Kentucky St #1, Columbia, SC 29201
5 beds
4 baths
$4,500
Fees may apply. The price shown reflects base rent. Complete fee information is not available from the property, so additional fees may increase the total monthly cost.House for rent
Available Jul 1
4h ago
Verified
4615 Forest Dr, Columbia, SC 29206
Studio–3 beds
1–3 baths
$1,597–$8,684
Additional fees apply. The price shown reflects base rent. Based on information provided by the property, additional fees may apply, but no required monthly charges have been confirmed. See all fees for details.Apartment for rent
15h ago
Verified
1340 N Brickyard Rd, Columbia, SC 29223
1–3 beds
1–2 baths
$1,575–$2,225
Additional fees apply. The price shown reflects base rent. Based on information provided by the property, additional fees may apply, but no required monthly charges have been confirmed. See all fees for details.Apartment for rent
3d ago
Verified
1310 Oakcrest Dr, Columbia, SC 29223
1–3 beds
1–2 baths
$1,369–$2,929
Total Monthly Price. The price shown includes base rent and all known required monthly fees, based on information provided by the property.Apartment for rent
Available Oct 30
11h ago
Verified
2038 Lake Murray Blvd, Columbia, SC 29212
1–3 beds
1–2 baths
$1,322–$6,933
Additional fees apply. The price shown reflects base rent. Based on information provided by the property, additional fees may apply, but no required monthly charges have been confirmed. See all fees for details.Apartment for rent
1d ago
Verified
2050 N Beltline Blvd, Columbia, SC 29204
Studio–3 beds
1–2 baths
$897–$2,130
Fees may apply. The price shown reflects base rent. Complete fee information is not available from the property, so additional fees may increase the total monthly cost.Apartment for rent
Available Sep 29
2d ago
Verified
111 Elders Pond Cir Ste B, Columbia, SC 29229
Studio–2 beds
1–2 baths
$955–$1,195
Fees may apply. The price shown reflects base rent. Complete fee information is not available from the property, so additional fees may increase the total monthly cost.Apartment for rent
Available May 13
4h ago
Verified
4615 Forest Dr, Columbia, SC 29206
Studio–3 beds
1–3 baths
$1,597–$8,684
Additional fees apply. The price shown reflects base rent. Based on information provided by the property, additional fees may apply, but no required monthly charges have been confirmed. See all fees for details.Apartment for rent
15h ago
Verified
1340 N Brickyard Rd, Columbia, SC 29223
1–3 beds
1–2 baths
$1,575–$2,225
Additional fees apply. The price shown reflects base rent. Based on information provided by the property, additional fees may apply, but no required monthly charges have been confirmed. See all fees for details.Apartment for rent
4h ago
Verified
4615 Forest Dr, Columbia, SC 29206
Studio–3 beds
1–3 baths
$1,597–$8,684
Additional fees apply. The price shown reflects base rent. Based on information provided by the property, additional fees may apply, but no required monthly charges have been confirmed. See all fees for details.Apartment for rent
1d ago
Verified
2050 N Beltline Blvd, Columbia, SC 29204
Studio–3 beds
1–2 baths
$897–$2,130
Fees may apply. The price shown reflects base rent. Complete fee information is not available from the property, so additional fees may increase the total monthly cost.Apartment for rent
Available Sep 29
3d ago
Verified
1310 Oakcrest Dr, Columbia, SC 29223
1–3 beds
1–2 baths
$1,369–$2,929
Total Monthly Price. The price shown includes base rent and all known required monthly fees, based on information provided by the property.Apartment for rent
Available Oct 30
2d ago
Verified
111 Elders Pond Cir Ste B, Columbia, SC 29229
2 beds
2 baths
$1,145–$1,195
Fees may apply. The price shown reflects base rent. Complete fee information is not available from the property, so additional fees may increase the total monthly cost.Apartment for rent
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Frequently asked questions for Columbia, SC
Quick answers to common questions about the Columbia rental market.
How much is rent in Columbia?
The average rent in Columbia is $1,518 per month as of October 24, 2026.
Is rent up or down in Columbia?
Average rent prices in Columbia have decreased by 1% over the last month and have decreased by 1% since last year.
How does Columbia rent compare to the national average?
Rent in Columbia is 20% below the national average, which means renters are paying approximately $382 less per month.
Which neighborhoods are most affordable in Columbia?
The most affordable neighborhoods in Columbia are Elmwood Park ($1,162/mo), South Kilbourne ($1,380/mo), and Central Rosewood ($1,500/mo).
What salary do I need to afford rent in Columbia?
To comfortably afford rent in Columbia, you'd need to earn approximately $61,000/year, based on spending no more than 30% of your income on rent.
When is the best time of year to rent in Columbia?
January offers the best rental deals in Columbia, with rents running about 6.6% lower than peak summer months. July sees the highest rents while December is the least competitive month for apartment hunting.
Methodology
Rent prices are based on Zumper's rental listings from the past 30 days. Median rent is calculated across all available listings and property types on the platform. If you filter the page by bedroom count or property type, the pricing throughout the page will update automatically to reflect that segment of the rental market.
Household and population data come from the U.S. Census Bureau. Cost-of-living data is sourced from the Council for Community and Economic Research's Cost of Living Index (COLI).