Best Neighborhoods in Columbus, OH for Renters
Check out the best neighborhoods in Columbus for renters to find the perfect fit.
Median Age
35 Years
Largest Age Group
25-34 Years
Approximately 18% of Residents
Under 20
25%
Over 65
13%
Columbus, OH
Area Guide
Avg Rent
$1,184
Population
898,617
Renter Mix
58% Rent
Ohio’s capital city exudes history, creativity, and innovation
Affordable
•
Historic
•
Vibrant
Nestled in the heart of Central Ohio, Columbus is the state’s capital and largest city. With access to Rickenbacker International Airport and several interstate highways, commuting and traveling is easy for Columbus residents. This bustling city houses Ohio State University, bringing a youthful energy and fierce love for college football to town. Creativity and innovation permeate Columbus, lending to a host of artistic amenities and top-notch eateries. An affordable Columbus apartment or house rental means you’ll have the opportunity to access a multitude of incredible amenities. Gallery hop in Short North Arts District, or maybe order baked goods and a coffee at Fox in the Snow Café. Take a riverside stroll at Bicentennial Park and Scioto Mile Park, or check out the latest exhibit at the Center of Science and Industry.
Enjoy a play at the Ohio Theater, and learn more about wildlife at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. German Village offers unique shops and picturesque historic architecture. For your final stop, cheer on the Ohio State Buckeyes for a game at Ohio Stadium. There’s something for everyone in this entertaining, affordable, and vibrant capital city.
Explore the City
The Olentangy Trail is popular with residents for outdoor recreation.
High Street is a main hub for restaurants and retail spots in Columbus.
German Village is a historic neighborhood in Columbus.
Columbus residents frequent the pond at Goodale Park.
Easton Town Center offers a great variety of shopping and dining options.
The Ohio State University is the heart of the academic scene in Columbus.
Demographics
Median Household Income
$60,250
Average: $78,457
Education
281,310
Residents Have a Degree
Job Market
478,963
Workers Employed
Age Distribution
Get a sense of this area's population profile.
Housing Distribution
Columbus has more renters than homeowners.
Renters
58%
Non-Renters
42%
Education Distribution
Review this city's overall education levels.
Bachelor's or Higher
26%
Other Education
74%
Rent Trends
As of June 2026, the average apartment rent in Columbus, OH is $1,034 for a studio, $1,183 for one bedroom, $1,378 for two bedrooms, and $1,613 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Columbus has increased by 0.4% in the past year.
Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$1,183/month
668 Sq Ft
House
$2,196/month
1,386 Sq Ft
Condo
$1,974/month
1,198 Sq Ft
Townhome
$1,719/month
1,034 Sq Ft
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Columbus, OH is 7.0% lower than the national average. Generally, housing in Columbus is 6.9% less expensive than the national average, with rent falling between $1,034 - $1,613. You can expect to pay 1.0% more for groceries, 0.2% less for utilities, and 7.8% less for transportation.
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Learn More About Columbus
Getting Around
Explore how walkable, bikeable, drivable, and transit-friendly Columbus, OH is for everyday living.
Moderately Walkable
Walkability
60
/ 100
Some Public Transit
Transit
50
/ 100
Exceptionally Drivable
Drivability
90
/ 100
Fairly Bikeable
Bikeability
40
/ 100
Scores provided by
Schools
Robert Louis Stevenson Elementary School
Public
Grades K-5
344 Students
Public
Grades K-5
495 Students
Public
Grades K-8
456 Students
Public
Grades K-5
401 Students
Public
Grades K-12
1,911 Students
Public
Grades K-8
456 Students
Public
Grades K-12
1,911 Students
Public
Grades K-12
778 Students
Public
Grades K-8
719 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
661 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
325 Students
Worthington Kilbourne High School
Public
Grades 9-12
1,532 Students
Public
Grades K-12
1,911 Students
Public
Grades K-12
778 Students
Horizon Science Academy Columbus
Public
Grades 9-12
663 Students
School data provided by
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
Points of Interest
Shopping Centers
Parks and Recreation
- Kelton House Museum & Garden
- Center of Science and Industry (COSI)
- Chadwick Arboretum and Learning Gardens
- Grange Insurance Audubon Center
- Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Garden
Airports
- John Glenn Columbus International
- Rickenbacker International
Top Apartments in Columbus
Houses for Rent in Columbus
Living in Columbus
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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 June 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.