Columbia, SC Rental Market Trends
Last updated: March 30, 2026 | Source: RentCafe Market Analysis, Yardi Matrix, U.S. Census Bureau
Highlights
The average rent for an apartment in Columbia is $1,490, a 2.04% increase compared to the previous year, when the average rent was $1,461.
Studio Apartments at $1,040 offer the most budget-friendly option with 459 square feet, ideal for single renters prioritizing location over space.
One-bedroom apartments provide 735 square feet for $1,175, balancing privacy and affordability.
Two-beedroom units at $1,384 offer 1,060 square feet, perfect for roommates or small families.
Three-bedroom apartments deliver maximum space (1,366 sq ft) for $1,877, suitable for larger households.
Average rent in Columbia, SC
Last updated: March 30, 2026
| Average Rent | Average Apartment Size | |
|---|---|---|
| All Rentals | $1,490 | 1,016 sq. ft. |
| Studio | $1,040 | 459 sq. ft. |
| 1 Bed | $1,175 | 735 sq. ft. |
| 2 Beds | $1,384 | 1,060 sq. ft. |
| 3 Beds | $1,877 | 1,366 sq. ft. |
Columbia, SC rent trends
Rental prices in Columbia, SC have increased by 2.04% over the past year. The average rent moved from $1,461 to $1,490.
What's the typical rent budget in Columbia, SC?
The largest share of rentals in Columbia, SC (53%) fall between $1,001-$1,500 per month. This suggests that most people succesfully find suitable apartments within this price.
Do most people rent or own in Columbia, SC?
27,307 or 53% of the households in Columbia, SC are renter-occupied while 24,477 or 47% are owner-occupied.
Most affordable neighborhoods in Columbia?
Belmont $861/month
Colonial Park $1,076/month
East Lake $1,133/month
All of these neighborhoods fall below the city wide average of $1,490/month.Most expensive neighborhoods in Columbia?
Arsenal Hill $1,887/month
Granby Hill $2,099/month
Downtown Columbia $2,642/month
These neighborhoods typically command higher rents due to location, amenities, and demand.Average Rent in Columbia, SC By Neighborhood
| Neighborhood | Average Rent |
|---|---|
| Downtown Columbia | $2,642 |
| Granby Hill | $2,099 |
| Arsenal Hill | $1,887 |
| Cedar Hills | $1,568 |
| Greater Pontiac | $1,513 |
| Killian Lakes | $1,451 |
| Forest Acres | $1,408 |
| Hampton | $1,248 |
| East Lake | $1,133 |
| Colonial Park | $1,076 |
| Belmont | $861 |
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Columbia | Rent Comparison by Neighborhood
Rent in Arsenal Hill is 119% higher than in Belmont
$1,887
Arsenal Hill rent is 27% higher than Columbia average
Average Rent
$1,887
$861
Belmont rent is 42% lower than Columbia average
Average Rent
$861
How Columbia Compares to Other Cities
| City | Average Rent |
|---|---|
| Columbia | $1,490 |
| Charleston | $2,044 |
| Summerville | $1,658 |
| Greenville | $1,558 |
| Spartanburg | $1,217 |
| Myrtle Beach | $1,604 |
| Aiken | $1,321 |
| Beaufort | $1,726 |
| Rock Hill | $1,448 |
| Fort Mill | $1,705 |
| Hardeeville | $1,940 |
| Lexington | $1,480 |
| Irmo, SC | $1,673 |
| Sumter, SC | $1,193 |
| West Columbia, SC | $1,480 |
| Forest Acres, SC | $1,408 |
Where this data comes from
The rental statistics on this page were compiled by RentCafe.com, a nationwide apartment search website trusted by millions of renters to find apartments and houses for rent throughout the U.S.
Rent prices, trends, and apartment sizes were calculated based on data from our sister company, Yardi Matrix, an apartment market intelligence solution that covers approximately 90% of the U.S. metro area population. The data includes comprehensive information on all Columbia apartment buildings with 50 or more units, totaling 23.5 million apartments across 181 U.S. markets.
Housing composition data was sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau, using the most recently available information by tenure.