Columbia, SC 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 $1,452, a 1.86% increase compared to the previous year, when the average rent was $1,426.
Studio Apartments at $1,094 offer the most budget-friendly option with 460 square feet, ideal for single renters prioritizing location over space.
One-bedroom apartments provide 734 square feet for $1,173, balancing privacy and affordability.
Two-beedroom units at $1,362 offer 1,059 square feet, perfect for roommates or small families.
Three-bedroom apartments deliver maximum space (1,362 sq ft) for $1,803, suitable for larger households.
Average rent in Columbia, SC
Last updated: October 19, 2025
| Average Rent | Average Apartment Size | |
|---|---|---|
| All Rentals | $1,452 | 1,013 sq. ft. |
| Studio | $1,094 | 460 sq. ft. |
| 1 Bed | $1,173 | 734 sq. ft. |
| 2 Beds | $1,362 | 1,059 sq. ft. |
| 3 Beds | $1,803 | 1,362 sq. ft. |
Columbia, SC rent trends
Rental prices in Columbia, SC have increased by 1.86% over the past year. The average rent moved from $1,426 to $1,452.
What's the typical rent budget in Columbia, SC?
The largest share of rentals in Columbia, SC (52%) 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 $905/month
Elm Abode $1,087/month
Colonial Park $1,115/month
All of these neighborhoods fall below the city wide average of $1,452/month.Most expensive neighborhoods in Columbia?
Granby Hill $2,056/month
Downtown Columbia $2,382/month
Arthurtown $2,675/month
These neighborhoods typically command higher rents due to location, amenities, and demand.Average Rent in Columbia, SC By Neighborhood
| Neighborhood | Average Rent |
|---|---|
| Arthurtown | $2,675 |
| Downtown Columbia | $2,382 |
| Granby Hill | $2,056 |
| Bellview | $2,004 |
| Arsenal Hill | $1,855 |
| Kilbourne Park | $1,647 |
| Cedar Hills | $1,643 |
| Greater Pontiac | $1,468 |
| Killian Lakes | $1,451 |
| Forest Acres | $1,379 |
| Columbiana Station | $1,329 |
| Hampton | $1,299 |
| Eastern Columbia | $1,277 |
| Riverbanks | $1,153 |
| East Lake | $1,122 |
| Ashewood | $1,121 |
| Colonial Park | $1,115 |
| Elm Abode | $1,087 |
| Belmont | $905 |
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Columbia | Rent Comparison by Neighborhood
Rent in Arsenal Hill is 31% lower than in Arthurtown
$1,855
Arsenal Hill rent is 28% higher than Columbia average
Average Rent
$1,855
$2,675
Arthurtown rent is 84% higher than Columbia average
Average Rent
$2,675
How Columbia Compares to Other Cities
| City | Average Rent |
|---|---|
| Columbia | $1,452 |
| Charleston | $2,082 |
| Greenville | $1,574 |
| Summerville | $1,660 |
| Myrtle Beach | $1,657 |
| Spartanburg | $1,248 |
| Fort Mill | $1,692 |
| Beaufort | $1,782 |
| Florence | $1,201 |
| Aiken | $1,283 |
| North Myrtle Beach | $1,737 |
| Lexington | $1,517 |
| Sumter, SC | $1,195 |
| Irmo, SC | $1,712 |
| Orangeburg, SC | $1,101 |
| West Columbia, SC | $1,451 |
| Elgin, SC | $1,299 |
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.