Last updated
Average Rent in Columbia, SC & Rent Trends
Rent prices and market trends across 3 apartment communities in Columbia, SC. Updated daily.
Market Average
$1,654/mo
Lowest Available
$1,580/mo
cheapest unit on market
Communities
3
tracked daily
Units Listed
7
available now
Rent by Neighborhood in Columbia, SC
Compare average rent across Columbia, SC neighborhoods. Click any area to see detailed trends.
| Neighborhood | Avg Rent | From | Properties | Units |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia 29169 | $1,883 | $1,570 | 1 | 29 |
| Midtown - Downtown | $1,718 | $900 | 3 | 23 |
| Shandon | $1,575 | $750 | 1 | 6 |
| Columbia 29209 | $1,265 | $1,090 | 1 | 31 |
Is Rent Going Up or Down in Columbia, SC?
As of May 2026, the average rent in Columbia, SC is $1,654 per month across 3 apartment communities and 7 available units.
The most affordable option is Brookland and 4 West starting at $1,580/mo. By unit type, a studio averages $1,654/mo.
Prices range from $1,580 to $1,800 per month. The most common price point is the $1,600 range, where 5 units are currently listed.
Columbia, SC Rent Price History
Rent Price Distribution
Rent by Bedroom Type in Columbia, SC
Rent Prices by Apartment in Columbia, SC
| Property | Starting at | Average | Units | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brookland and 4 West | $1,580/mo | $1,610/mo | 2 | 4.2 |
| Bennet at BullStreet | $1,624/mo | $1,639/mo | 4 | 4.5 |
| VERVE Columbia | $1,800/mo | $1,800/mo | 1 | 5 |
Google Search Trends for Columbia, SC Apartments
Search interest for apartments in this area over the past 12 months.
Search Interest Over Time
Frequently Asked Questions About Rent in Columbia, SC
What is the average rent in Columbia, SC?
Is rent going up or down in Columbia, SC?
What is the cheapest apartment in Columbia, SC?
How many apartments are available in Columbia, SC?
What salary do I need to live comfortably in Columbia, SC?
Built on the 25 to 30 percent rent-to-income guideline used by most landlords and credit-scoring models.
Minimum to afford average rent
$66,000/year
30 percent rule -- using our average rent of $1,654/mo.
Comfortable income
$79,000/year
25 percent rule -- leaves more room for savings, transport, and groceries.
To afford the cheapest tracked apartment ($1,580/mo), you need to earn at least $63,000/year.
Median household income in Columbia, SC is $55,653 , about 30% below the comfortable-living threshold.
Cost of living in Columbia, SC
Overall prices in Columbia, SC runs below the national average by about 7% (BEA Regional Price Parity index 93.2, where 100 equals the U.S. average). The breakdown below estimates monthly costs for a single adult, using national consumer-spending baselines from the Bureau of Labor Statistics scaled by Columbia, SC's regional price parities.
| Category | Monthly estimate |
|---|---|
| Rent (market average) | $1,654 |
| Utilities | $337 |
| Groceries | $518 |
| Transportation | $804 |
| Healthcare | $392 |
| Other goods and services | $628 |
| Estimated total | $4,333/mo |
Population
138,019
Median household income
$55,653
Census median rent
$1,158/mo
Rent as % of income
34.5%
Median age
28.7
Mean commute
17 min
Methodology
Rent data
Sourced directly from each tracked apartment community and refreshed every 24 hours. Every listed unit price on this page is real and listed today.
Cost of living
Estimates combine national consumer-spending baselines from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (Consumer Expenditure Survey) with the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parities (MARPP dataset). Both are peer-reviewed federal data releases published annually.
Salary to live comfortably
Applies the standard 25 to 30 percent rent-to-income rule on top of the listed rent. This is the same affordability guideline used by most landlords and credit-scoring models.
Demographic figures
Median household income, population, median age, commute time, Census median rent, and rent as percentage of income come from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey 5-year estimates, the most recent complete release.
Cost of living and demographic figures were last published in 2023.
Explore Columbia, SC Apartments
Browse all 3 communities with daily-updated pricing and availability.