Columbus

Downtown Columbus sits along the Chattahoochee River.
A bridge connects Uptown Columbus to Alabama.
A bridge connects Uptown Columbus to Alabama.
A bridge stretches across the Chattahoochee River.
Cars line a historic street in Columbus, GA.

Columbus, GA Area Guide

Avg Rent

$1,062

Population

199,297

Renter Mix

53% Rent

Old South elegance on the Chattahoochee River.

Military College Sports

Columbus, Georgia combines Southern hospitality with outdoor adventure along the banks of the Chattahoochee River. As Georgia's second-largest city, Columbus offers diverse housing options, from Victorian-era homes in the Heritage District to contemporary apartments in MidTown. Current rental rates average $1,038 for a one-bedroom apartment. Notable neighborhoods include Green Island Hills and MidTown, where restored historic homes sit alongside newer residential communities.

The 15-mile Riverwalk serves as the centerpiece of outdoor recreation, featuring the longest urban whitewater course in the world. Downtown Columbus thrives with cultural attractions, including the Columbus Museum, National Infantry Museum, and the historic Springer Opera House - designated as Georgia's State Theater. Columbus State University's RiverPark campus adds to the downtown energy with its performing arts programs.

The Uptown district continues to grow with local shops and restaurants, while the proximity to Fort Moore makes the city a convenient choice for military personnel. Recent rental data shows steady market growth, with apartment rates increasing between 1.3% to 3% across different unit sizes. Whether you're drawn to the outdoor activities, cultural attractions, or historic architecture, Columbus maintains its authentic Southern character while embracing growth and development.

Explore the City

A bridge connects Uptown Columbus to Alabama.

A bridge stretches across the Chattahoochee River.

Cars line a historic street in Columbus, GA.

Demographics

Median Household Income

$53,337

Average: $73,156

Education

46,222

Residents Have a Degree

Job Market

86,416

Workers Employed

Age Distribution
Get a sense of this area's population profile.

Median Age

36 Years

Largest Age Group

30-39 Years

Approximately 15% of Residents

Under 20

27%

Over 65

16%

Housing Distribution

Columbus has more renters than homeowners.

Renters
53%
Non-Renters
47%

Education Distribution

Review this city's overall education levels.

Bachelor's or Higher
18%
Other Education
82%

Rent Trends

As of May 2026, the average apartment rent in Columbus, GA is $1,034 for a studio, $1,063 for one bedroom, $1,160 for two bedrooms, and $1,536 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Columbus has increased by 0.3% in the past year.

Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$1,063/month
842 Sq Ft
House
$1,343/month
1,294 Sq Ft
Condo
$1,065/month
777 Sq Ft
See Rental Market Trends in Columbus, GA

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Columbus, GA is 13.0% lower than the national average. Generally, housing in Columbus is 29.1% less expensive than the national average, with rent falling between $1,034 - $1,536. You can expect to pay 2.8% less for groceries, 7.4% less for utilities, and 17.6% less for transportation.

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Getting Around

Somewhat Walkable

Walkability

20 / 100

Exceptionally Drivable

Drivability

90 / 100

Somewhat Bikeable

Bikeability

30 / 100

Schools

New Mountain Hill Elementary School

Public

Grades PK-5

501 Students

Britt David Elementary Computer Magnet Academy

Public

Grades K-5

507 Students

Mathews Elementary School

Public

Grades PK-5

755 Students

North Columbus Elementary

Public

Grades PK-5

745 Students

Midland Academy

Public

Grades PK-5

663 Students

Rainey McCullers School of the Arts

Public

Grades 6-12

384 Students

Richards Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

819 Students

Veterans Memorial Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

648 Students

Blackmon Road Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

566 Students

Aaron Cohn Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

524 Students

Columbus High School

Public

Grades 9-12

1,131 Students

Rainey McCullers School of the Arts

Public

Grades 6-12

384 Students

Northside High School

Public

Grades 9-12

1,402 Students

Hardaway High School

Public

Grades 9-12

1,184 Students

Shaw High School

Public

Grades 9-12

1,234 Students

Points of Interest

Parks and Recreation

  • Oxbow Meadows Environmental Learning Center
  • Columbus Botanical Garden
  • Coca-Cola Space Science Center

Airports

  • Columbus

Top Apartments in Columbus

Houses for Rent in Columbus

Property Management Companies in Columbus, GA

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 February 2026.

Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.