What is the average apartment size in Columbia?

The average size for a Columbia, SC apartment is 1,018 square feet, but this number varies greatly depending on unit type, with cheap and luxury alternatives for houses and apartments alike. Studio apartments are the smallest and most affordable, 1-bedroom apartments are closer to the average, while 2-bedroom apartments and 3-bedroom apartments offer a more generous square footage.

What is the average rent in Columbia?

As of Jun / 2026, the average rent in Columbia is $1,502 per month, a 2.77% increase from last years average of $1,462.

How much does rent cost by apartment size in Columbia?

In Columbia, studios rent for $1,068 per month, one-bedroom units average $1,186 per month, two-bedrooms cost around $1,411 per month, and three-bedroom apartments rent for about $1,882 per month

What is the average apartment size in Columbia?

The typical apartment in Columbia offers about 1,018 sq. ft. square feet of living space, though actual sizes vary depending on layout and amenities.

How large are apartments by bedroom count in Columbia?

Studio apartments in Columbia average 459 sq. ft., one-bedrooms offer 736 sq. ft., two-bedrooms are about 1,065 sq. ft., and three-bedroom apartments average 1,368 sq. ft.

What are the most affordable neighborhoods in Columbia?

The most affordable neighborhoods in Columbia include Belmont ($936/month), Ashewood ($1,054/month), and Colonial Park ($1,076/month), all below the citywide average of $1,502.

What are the most expensive neighborhoods in Columbia?

The most expensive neighborhoods in Columbia are Arsenal Hill ($1,868/month), Granby Hill ($2,018/month), and Downtown Columbia ($2,693/month), often due to premium locations and high-end amenities.

Columbia, SC Rental Market Trends

Q: What's the typical rent budget in Columbia?

The typical rent budget in Columbia ranges from $1,001 to $1,500 per month, with 51% of rentals in this range.

Q: Do most people rent or own in Columbia?

In Columbia, 54% of households rent while 46% own their homes, based on the latest U.S. Census data.

Last updated: August 01, 2026 | Source: RentCafe Market Analysis, Yardi Matrix, U.S. Census Bureau

Highlights

The average rent for an apartment in Columbia is $1,502, a 2.77% increase compared to the previous year, when the average rent was $1,462.

Studio Apartments at $1,068 offer the most budget-friendly option with 459 square feet, ideal for single renters prioritizing location over space.

One-bedroom apartments provide 736 square feet for $1,186, balancing privacy and affordability.

Two-bedroom units at $1,411 offer 1,065 square feet, perfect for roommates or small families.

Three-bedroom apartments deliver maximum space (1,368 sq ft) for $1,882, suitable for larger households.

Average rent in Columbia, SC

Last updated: August 01, 2026

	Average Rent	Average Apartment Size
All Rentals	$1,502	1,018 sq. ft.
Studio	$1,068	459 sq. ft.
1 Bed	$1,186	736 sq. ft.
2 Beds	$1,411	1,065 sq. ft.
3 Beds	$1,882	1,368 sq. ft.

Columbia, SC rent trends

Rental prices in Columbia, SC have increased by 2.77% over the past year. The average rent moved from $1,462 to $1,502.

What's the typical rent budget in Columbia, SC?

The largest share of rentals in Columbia, SC (51%) 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?

28,914 or 54% of the households in Columbia, SC are renter-occupied while 24,162 or 46% are owner-occupied.

Most affordable neighborhoods in Columbia?

Belmont $936/month

Ashewood $1,054/month

Colonial Park $1,076/month

All of these neighborhoods fall below the city wide average of $1,502/month.

Most expensive neighborhoods in Columbia?

Arsenal Hill $1,868/month

Granby Hill $2,018/month

Downtown Columbia $2,693/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	$2,693
Granby Hill	$2,018
Arsenal Hill	$1,868
Cedar Hills	$1,716
Kilbourne Park	$1,529
Greater Pontiac	$1,506
Killian Lakes	$1,451
Forest Acres	$1,415
Columbiana Station	$1,388
East Lake	$1,291
Hampton	$1,262
Eastern Columbia	$1,230
Colonial Park	$1,076
Ashewood	$1,054
Belmont	$936

Columbia | Rent Comparison by Neighborhood

Rent in Arsenal Hill is 77% higher than in Ashewood

$1,868

Arsenal Hill rent is 24% higher than Columbia average

Average Rent $1,868

$1,054

Ashewood rent is 30% lower than Columbia average

Average Rent $1,054

How Columbia Compares to Other Cities

City	Average Rent
Columbia	$1,502
Charleston	$2,137
Greenville	$1,595
Summerville	$1,717
Myrtle Beach	$1,629
Spartanburg	$1,235
Florence	$1,275
Aiken	$1,365
Fort Mill	$1,694
Beaufort	$1,703
Rock Hill	$1,459
Lexington	$1,532
West Columbia	$1,502
Sumter, SC	$1,214
Irmo, SC	$1,668
Orangeburg, SC	$1,163
Forest Acres, SC	$1,415
Cayce, SC	$1,749
Elgin, SC	$1,391

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.