Columbia, MD Rental Market Trends
Last updated: October 19, 2025 | Source: RentCafe Market Analysis, Yardi Matrix, U.S. Census Bureau
Highlights
The average rent for an apartment in Columbia is $2,154, a 1.32% decrease compared to the previous year, when the average rent was $2,183.
Studio Apartments at $1,793 offer the most budget-friendly option with 547 square feet, ideal for single renters prioritizing location over space.
One-bedroom apartments provide 769 square feet for $1,925, balancing privacy and affordability.
Two-beedroom units at $2,243 offer 1,035 square feet, perfect for roommates or small families.
Three-bedroom apartments deliver maximum space (1,275 sq ft) for $2,698, suitable for larger households.
Average rent in Columbia, MD
| Average Rent | Average Apartment Size | |
|---|---|---|
| All Rentals | $2,154 | 947 sq. ft. |
| Studio | $1,793 | 547 sq. ft. |
| 1 Bed | $1,925 | 769 sq. ft. |
| 2 Beds | $2,243 | 1,035 sq. ft. |
| 3 Beds | $2,698 | 1,275 sq. ft. |
Columbia, MD rent trends
Rental prices in Columbia, MD have decreased by 1.32% over the past year. The average rent moved from $2,183 to $2,154.
What's the typical rent budget in Columbia, MD?
The largest share of rentals in Columbia, MD (41%) fall between $1,501-$2,000 per month. This suggests that most people succesfully find suitable apartments within this price.
Do most people rent or own in Columbia, MD?
14,458 or 35% of the households in Columbia, MD are renter-occupied while 26,760 or 65% are owner-occupied.
How Columbia Compares to Other Cities
| City | Average Rent |
|---|---|
| Columbia | $2,154 |
| Baltimore City | $1,649 |
| Silver Spring | $1,978 |
| Frederick | $1,916 |
| Rockville | $2,396 |
| Hyattsville | $1,888 |
| Laurel | $1,951 |
| Annapolis | $2,292 |
| Bethesda | $2,760 |
| Gaithersburg | $2,046 |
| Hagerstown | $1,492 |
| Glen Burnie | $1,644 |
| Elkridge | $2,230 |
| Greenbelt, MD | $2,059 |
| Beltsville, MD | $1,925 |
| Jessup, MD | $2,151 |
| Sykesville, MD | $1,847 |
| Burtonsville, MD | $1,998 |
| Savage, MD | $1,946 |
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.