100 Best Apartments in Columbia, SC (with reviews)

Q: What are the best apartments in Columbia, SC?

The best apartments in Columbia, SC are: The Palms 1101 , The Palms on Main , NOMA Flats , Avalon Place Apartments and Lory of Harbison .

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Average rent in Columbia, SC

$1,340/mo Columbia, SC average rental price, October 2022

The average monthly rent of apartments in Columbia, SC is $1,340.

Columbia, SC apartment rent ranges

About 45% of apartment rents in Columbia, SC range between $1,001-$1,500. Meanwhile, apartments priced over $1,501-$2,000 represent 16% of apartments. Around 27% of Columbia’s apartments are in the $701-$1,000 price range. 2% of apartments are priced between $501-$700.

Columbia, SC rent trends

Check out the average rent prices in Columbia by neighborhood.

Compared to the national average rent of $1,727, the average rent in Columbia, SC is $1,340.

Getting around in Columbia, SC

19 /100

Car-Dependent

29 /100

Somewhat Bikeable

Walk Score®: 19, Bike Score®: 29

Frequently asked questions

When were prices and availability in Columbia, SC last updated?

Prices and availability in Columbia, SC were last updated on 8 Feb 2023.

What are the best apartments in Columbia, SC?

The best apartments in Columbia, SC are: The Palms 1101, The Palms on Main, NOMA Flats, Avalon Place Apartments and Lory of Harbison.

What is the average rent in Columbia, SC?

The average rent in Columbia, SC is $1,340. Start your search for apartments in Columbia, SC now.

What is the price range for a studio apartment in Columbia, SC?

The price range for a studio apartment in Columbia, SC is between $700 and $1,879. View all studio apartments in Columbia, SC.

What is the price range for a 1-bedroom apartment in Columbia, SC?

The price range for a 1-bedroom apartment in Columbia, SC is between $640 and $4,061. Browse all available 1-bedroom apartments in Columbia, SC now.

What is the price range for a 2-bedroom apartment in Columbia, SC?

The price range for a 2-bedroom apartment in Columbia, SC is between $740 and $5,000. Browse and find a 2-bedroom apartment in Columbia, SC.

What is the price range for a 3-bedroom apartment in Columbia, SC?

The price range for a 3-bedroom apartment in Columbia, SC is between $835 and $5,460. Browse all available 3-bedroom apartments in Columbia, SC.

What type of rental buildings are in Columbia, SC?

In Columbia, 53% of the residents are renting compared to 47% owning a home, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Large-scale apartment buildings with more than 50 units represent 16% of Columbia’s rentals, 57% are small-scale complexes with under 50 units, and 25% are single-family rentals.

What do typical apartment communities look like in Columbia, SC?

The average age of rental buildings in Columbia is 32 years old, with 36% being newer apartment buildings completed since 2000. The average height of apartment buildings in the city is 3 stories, of which 92% are garden-style apartment communities, 6% are mid-sized buildings, and 2% are high-rises. These characteristics describe large-scale apartment communities of 50 apartments or more.

What apartment floorplans are common in Columbia, SC?

Rental apartments in Columbia come in a range of sizes and floorplans. Studio apartments represent 2% of units for rent, ideal for singles, renters on a budget and people who value central locations more than space. Rentals with 1-bedroom floorplans make up 33% of the total apartments in the city, while 2-bedroom floorplans represent around 46% of all rentals in Columbia. The rest are larger floorplans with 3 bedrooms or more, typically preferred by families, larger households or roommates sharing space.

Renter's guide to Columbia, SC

Columbia is the capital city of South Carolina, and the state’s largest city. In 2016, U.S. News & World Report ranked Columbia number 46 among the top 50 “Best Places to Live,” awarding the city an overall score of 6.6 on a 10-point scale.

Columbia is under 2 hours from Greenville, SC; 2-and-a-half hours from Charleston, SC; and between 3-and-a-half and 4 hours from Raleigh, North Carolina.

The city is home to the University of South Carolina’s flagship campus, which is the largest institution of higher learning in the state. Fort Jackson, a U.S. Army installation in use since 1917, is located in Columbia and trains half of all soldiers entering the U.S. Army annually.

Weather in Columbia, South Carolina, is typical of the humid subtropical climate zone. Columbia describes itself as “Famously Hot” — and for good reason: in Columbia, spring comes early, summers are very hot and humid, and warm weather lingers into late autumn. Extended periods of cold weather and freezing temperatures are rare in Columbia, and the city rarely receives snow. Overall, the climate is predictable, with average high temperatures ranging from 57 degrees in January, Columbia’s coldest month, all the way up to 92 degrees in July, its hottest month; and average low temperatures from 34 degrees in January to 71 degrees in July. Average annual rainfall in Columbia is 45 inches, peaking in the humid summer months.

Tips for renting in Columbia, SC

The state of South Carolina has enacted a residential Landlord-Tenant Act that applies to nearly all leases and details landlord and tenant right and responsibilities. Columbia renters should be vigilant about the terms of their lease as well as the general provisions of this law. Under the Landlord-Tenant Act, tenants are responsible for timely rent payment, maintaining safe and clean units, and proper waste disposal. When a lease is up, the tenant is required to provide a written forwarding address to which the landlord can direct the security deposit, and if some or all of the deposit has been withheld by the landlord, he or she must provide an itemized list of damages and deductions within 30 days of either the end of the lease or from the move-out date, whichever is later.

Columbia, SC demographics

134,057Total Population
66,111 Female

67,946 Male
28.2Median Age

Columbia, SC has a population of 134,057 according to the most recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau. 66,111 of Columbia’s residents are women and 67,946 are men. The median age of those who live in Columbia, SC is 28.2.

Living in Columbia, SC

Columbia is a vibrant college town known for its southern hospitality and pleasant, sunny year-round weather. Millennials, young professionals, and families alike will find themselves in good company in Columbia, where the median age is 35.9 and senior citizens make up less than 10 percent of the population. The cost of living in Columbia is lower than the national average — but the same is true of comparative annual salaries. On the flip side, cars are nearly a must-have to get around and work in Columbia; and though the city is fairly well connected to other major metropolitan areas, it is still relatively far from many larger east coast urban hubs.

Columbia, SC households

22,578 Family

24,728 Non-family
11,704 Children

35,602 No Children

47,306Total Number of Households
2.22Average People Per Household
$47,416Median Household Income

According to U.S. Census data, there are 47,306 households in Columbia, SC. 22,578 are family households and 24,728 are non-family households. There are 11,704 households with children in Columbia and 35,602 households without children. On average, about 2.22 people live in a household in Columbia, SC.

Things to do in Columbia, SC

Residents of Columbia can enjoy the many attractions and points of interest in the region. The Riverbanks Zoo and Botanical Garden is one of the area’s most popular destinations, receiving over a million visitors each year. Located along the Saluda River, the zoo and garden encompass 170 acres and house more than 2,000 animals.

Public parks and green spaces for jogging, dog walking, recreational sports, or playtime with children are also abundant in Columbia. Some of the top attractions for outdoor activities in Columbia are the Sesquicentennial State Park, Harbison State Forest, and Columbia Canal and Riverfront Park.

University of South Carolina sports are also a uniting force for many Columbia residents, who can attend football games at the Williams Brice Stadium or basketball games at Colonial Life Arena.

Families with children will also find many things to do in Columbia, including several museums designed with kids in mind. Among these are the South Carolina State Museum, which has a state-of-the-art planetarium as well as a 4D movie theater, and the hands-on EdVenture Children’s Museum. The Columbia Marionette Theater is also a popular attraction for families with kids.

If you’re in the mood for some classic southern seafood, check out Blue Marlin in Columbia’s bustling Congaree Vista District. Mr Friendly’s New Southern Cafe and Bourbon are two of the best restaurants in Columbia; and Lamb's Bread Vegan Café is an excellent option for those who fancy vegetarian food.

Cultural venues in Columbia range in size and atmosphere but are popular among residents. Township Auditorium is a historic concert and performance venue with a capacity of up to 3,500 guests. Constructed in 1930, its Georgian Revival architecture and historical ties to Jim Crow era legislation contributed to its addition to the National Register of Historic Places in 2005. The Koger Center for the Arts, located on the University of South Carolina Campus, can accommodate over 2,000 guests. It is home to the South Carolina Philharmonic and hosts large-scale functions and speeches, including the State of the State Address.

Columbia, SC employment & economy

In recent years, South Carolina’s economy has seen steady growth, and the unemployment rate in Columbia has dipped below 5 percent. Columbia is a hub for careers in manufacturing, healthcare and health services, and finance. The University of South Carolina, Palmetto Health hospital system, and Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina are consistently among Columbia’s largest employers, as is Fort Jackson, where over half of the U.S. Army’s new soldiers undergo basic training each year.

Additionally, Colonial Life & Accident Insurance Company, AgFirst Farm Credit Bank, and South State Bank are headquartered in Columbia; and UPS, Michelin, International Paper, and Bose Technology have regional facilities based in the Columbia metropolitan area.

Education in Columbia, SC

In addition to the main campus of the University of South Carolina, whose 15 schools enroll over 30,000 students, Columbia is also home to several other institutions of higher education. Among these are: Benedict College, a private, historically black liberal arts college; Columbia College, a private college for women; the Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary, one of the oldest Lutheran seminaries in the country; and the Midlands Technical College, a two-year, public community college that is part of the South Carolina Technical College System.

At the primary and secondary level, there are 7 public school districts in Richland and Lexington Counties serving Columbia’s 65,000 students. Among Columbia’s 37 public schools and 54 private schools, two — A. C. Flora High School and C. A. Johnson High School — have been ranked among the nation’s top 100 by U.S. News & World Report.

Columbia, SC education statistics

The level of education of the population of Columbia, SC is as follows: 2% have no high school education, 34% completed some high school, 20% partially completed college, 7% have an Associate Degree, 22% have a Bachelor Degree, and 15% have a Graduate Degree.

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RentCafe is your one-stop shop for finding a great new apartment in Columbia, SC. Easily search through a wide selection of apartments for rent in Columbia, SC, and view detailed information about available rentals including floor plans, pricing, photos, amenities, interactive maps, and thorough property descriptions. Property owners and managers are one click away, so feel free to contact them and find out all you need to know about the apartment you’re interested in. Browse Columbia, SC apartments with rents starting from $700 and submit your rental application today!

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5/5 Owen B. on Jul 11, 2022

My experience from applying to moving in has been great! Sarah is amazing, and she has been nothing but kind and helpful with any questions/concerns. It is a gorgeous property, and I love my unit; as great as the property is, the office staff makes it that much better!

5/5 Chuck K. on Jun 24, 2022

Sarah was awesome. She showed us the unit and remained in contact with us throughout the entire process, including the move in.

Apartments for Rent in Columbia, SC 170 Rentals Available

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