Columbia

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Columbia, MO

Area Guide

As the home of the mighty Mizzou, CoMo delivers college town energy and modern urban sophistication.

College Affordable Nightlife Sports Parks Nature Outdoors

Welcome to Columbia, Missouri, where education and community spirit meet in the heart of the Show-Me State. As home to the University of Missouri, Columbia combines academic energy with friendly Midwestern charm. The rental market offers diverse options, from downtown apartments averaging $1,126 for a one-bedroom unit to residential neighborhoods, with one-bedroom rental rates showing a 7.6% increase over the past year. The historic East Campus neighborhood features classic architecture steps from campus, while downtown Columbia continues to grow with new residential communities among local shops and cafes.

Columbia's arts scene centers around the restored Missouri Theatre and the annual True/False Film Festival, a celebrated documentary showcase. Outdoor enthusiasts appreciate the MKT Trail, which connects to the Katy Trail State Park, offering miles of paths for walking, running, and cycling. Rock Bridge Memorial State Park showcases Missouri's natural landscape with its cave systems and hiking trails. With three higher education institutions – the University of Missouri, Stephens College, and Columbia College – the city maintains a strong academic presence while offering quality healthcare and entertainment options at reasonable living costs.

Explore the City

Residents of Green Meadows frequently attend the always exciting Mizzou Tigers games.

Kings Meadow is a neighborhood full of natural beauty.

Homes in Benton-Stephens often have large front porches to enjoy the sunset.

Rent Trends

As of December 2025, the average apartment rent in Columbia, MO is $1,057 for a studio, $1,213 for one bedroom, $1,213 for two bedrooms, and $1,466 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Columbia has increased by 4.1% in the past year.

Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$1,213/month
731 Sq Ft
House
$1,993/month
1,268 Sq Ft
Condo
$2,086/month
1,483 Sq Ft
Townhome
$1,765/month
1,504 Sq Ft
See Rental Market Trends in Columbia, MO

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Columbia, MO is 9.8% lower than the national average. Generally, housing in Columbia is 19.7% less expensive than the national average, with rent falling between $1,057 - $1,466. You can expect to pay 3.4% less for groceries, 5.5% less for utilities, and 11.2% less for transportation.

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Transportation

40

Car-Dependent

out of 100 WalkScore® Rating

This area is considered a car-dependent area and most errands will require a car.

44

Somewhat Bikeable

out of 100 BikeScore® Rating

You might be able to find places to ride your bike in this area, but you’ll most likely want your car for most errands.

Schools

Mill Creek Elementary

Public

Grades PK-5

593 Students

Russell Blvd. Elementary

Public

Grades PK-5

460 Students

Two Mile Prairie Elementary

Public

Grades K-5

152 Students

Beulah Ralph Elementary

Public

Grades K-5

678 Students

Mary Paxton Keeley Elementary

Public

Grades PK-5

634 Students

Jefferson Jr. High School

Public

Grades 6-8

625 Students

Ann Hawkins Gentry Middle

Public

Grades 6-8

719 Students

Oakland Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

544 Students

John B. Lange Middle

Public

Grades 6-8

529 Students

Smithton Middle

Public

Grades 6-8

521 Students

Rock Bridge Senior High School

Public

Grades 9-12

2,032 Students

David H. Hickman High

Public

Grades PK & 9-12

2,044 Students

Muriel Battle High School

Public

Grades PK & 9-12

1,581 Students

Frederick Douglass High

Public

Grades PK-12

199 Students

Delmar A Cobble School

Public

Grades K-12

11 Students

Points of Interest

Parks and Recreation

  • Enns Entomology Museum
  • Big Muddy National Wildlife Refuge
  • Rock Bridge Memorial State Park
  • Finger Lakes State Park

Military Bases

Airports

  • Columbia Regional

Top Apartments in Columbia

Houses for Rent in Columbia

Property Management Companies in Columbia, MO

Search Nearby Rentals

Methodology

† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.

Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.

Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in November 2025.