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Rental Market Trends in Columbia, MD

What is the average rent in Columbia, MD?

$1,868/month

Average Rent

770 Sq Ft

Average Apartment Size

-2.2%

Decrease in the Last Year

As of January 2026, the average rent in Columbia, MD is $1,868 per month. For comparison, the national average rent price in the US is currently $1,625/month, which means Columbia rent prices are 15% higher than the national average. When you rent an apartment in Columbia, you can expect to pay about $1,931 per month for a studio, $1,868 for a one-bedroom apartment, and around $2,144 for a two-bedroom apartment. If you opt for a three-bedroom rental, you could pay $2,652 or more.

Floor Plan Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Studio
$1,931/month
552 Sq Ft
One Bedroom
$1,868/month
770 Sq Ft
Two Bedroom
$2,144/month
1,029 Sq Ft
Three Bedroom
$2,652/month
1,293 Sq Ft
Floor Plan Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
One Bedroom
$1,274/month
2,255 Sq Ft
Two Bedroom
$2,122/month
1,069 Sq Ft
Three Bedroom
$3,107/month
1,292 Sq Ft
Four Bedroom
$3,633/month
2,294 Sq Ft
Floor Plan Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
One Bedroom
$1,450/month
399 Sq Ft
Two Bedroom
$2,025/month
1,050 Sq Ft
Floor Plan Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Two Bedroom
$2,390/month
1,084 Sq Ft
Three Bedroom
$3,032/month
1,342 Sq Ft
Four Bedroom
$3,311/month
1,357 Sq Ft

How much has average rent changed in Columbia, MD?

In the past year, rent has decreased by 2.2%, which averages out to $40 less per month.

Market Trends Over Time   The chart below compares average rent prices to the previous year during the same time period.
Last Updated January 2026
Legend
2025 2026
Market Trends Over Time
Rent Ranges in Columbia, MD
Last Updated January 2026
Above $2,000
Most rental prices fall within this range
Rent Ranges in Columbia, MD
Percentage*
Rent Range
0% Below $700/month
0% $700 - $1,000/month
2% $1,001 - $1,500/month
44% $1,501 - $2,000/month
53% Above $2,000/month

Rent by Neighborhood

Last Updated Today
  • Most Affordable
  • Most Expensive
  • Most Available

What are the most affordable neighborhoods in Columbia?

Based on current rent prices, Stevens Forest, Huntington and Hobbit's Glen are the most affordable neighborhoods in Columbia.

Calculate Rent Affordability
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Stevens Forest
$1,658/month
783 Sq Ft
Huntington
$1,701/month
734 Sq Ft
Hobbit's Glen
$1,721/month
762 Sq Ft
Kings Contrivance
$1,734/month
763 Sq Ft
Talbot Springs
$1,764/month
808 Sq Ft
Oakland Mills
$1,777/month
795 Sq Ft
Dickinson
$1,789/month
776 Sq Ft
Harper's Choice
$1,817/month
768 Sq Ft
Forsgate Condominiums
$1,863/month
766 Sq Ft
Long Reach
$1,925/month
790 Sq Ft

What are the most expensive neighborhoods in Columbia?

Based on current rent prices, Columbia Town Center, Fairway Hills and Downtown Columbia are the most expensive neighborhoods in Columbia.

Calculate Rent Affordability
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Columbia Town Center
$2,760/month
770 Sq Ft
Fairway Hills
$2,592/month
779 Sq Ft
Downtown Columbia
$2,339/month
756 Sq Ft
Hickory Ridge
$2,198/month
729 Sq Ft
Banneker Place Condominiums
$2,055/month
789 Sq Ft
Wilde Lake
$1,950/month
753 Sq Ft
Long Reach
$1,925/month
790 Sq Ft
Forsgate Condominiums
$1,863/month
766 Sq Ft
Harper's Choice
$1,817/month
768 Sq Ft
Dickinson
$1,789/month
776 Sq Ft

Which Columbia neighborhoods have the most rentals available?

The neighborhoods in Columbia with the most apartments available are Downtown Columbia, Hickory Ridge and Oakland Mills .

Calculate Rent Affordability
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Downtown Columbia
$2,339/month
756 Sq Ft
Hickory Ridge
$2,198/month
729 Sq Ft
Oakland Mills
$1,777/month
795 Sq Ft
Talbot Springs
$1,764/month
808 Sq Ft
Harper's Choice
$1,817/month
768 Sq Ft
Long Reach
$1,925/month
790 Sq Ft
Wilde Lake
$1,950/month
753 Sq Ft
Kings Contrivance
$1,734/month
763 Sq Ft
Stevens Forest
$1,658/month
783 Sq Ft
Fairway Hills
$2,592/month
779 Sq Ft
This information is based on data collected by CoStar Group researchers.†

What salary do I need to live comfortably in Columbia, MD?

Because the average rent in Columbia is $1,868, you’ll want to make about $6,226 per month or $74,712 per year. The general guideline is to pay no more than 30 percent of your monthly income on rent. However, you’ll want to consider additional factors, such as your monthly bills and other expenses. Use our rent affordability calculator to help determine how much to budget for rent.

City

Columbia, MD

1,619 Available Apartments for Rent

Search for Nearby Apartments

How does Columbia, MD compare to other nearby cities and neighborhoods?

Use the tool below to compare Columbia, MD to other nearby cities and neighborhoods. The Apartments.com neighborhood guides provide you with insight into the area’s transportation, things to do, and more.

Explore the Area Guide for Columbia, MD

Apartment Averages

Stevens Forest

Columbia, MD

Columbia Town Center

Columbia, MD

Studio
-
-
One Bedroom
-
-
Two Bedroom
-
-
Three Bedroom
-
-
Search
Search

Nearby City Rent Trends

  • Savage Average Rent
  • Ellicott City Average Rent
  • Jessup Average Rent

Apartment communities in Columbia we think you'll love

Aspen at Lake Trail

Aspen at Lake Trail

5764 Stevens Forest Rd,
Columbia, MD 21045

$1,490 - $2,450

1-3 Beds

Autumn Columbia

Autumn Columbia

8909 Early April Way,
Columbia, MD 21046

$1,865 - $2,845

1-3 Beds

Dorsey Overlook

Dorsey Overlook

9562 Old Route 108,
Ellicott City, MD 21042

$3,799 - $4,800

3 Beds

Bowling Brook Apartments

Bowling Brook Apartments

9000 Stebbing Way,
Laurel, MD 20723

$2,192 - $2,807

1-2 Beds

Property Management Companies in Columbia, MD

Greystar
Greystar
  • 3,445

    Communities

  • 950,979

    Units

  • 887

    Cities

5 Communities in Columbia
Bozzuto
Bozzuto
  • 383

    Communities

  • 118,539

    Units

  • 157

    Cities

4 Communities in Columbia
Benton Communities
Benton Communities
  • 19

    Communities

  • 2,754

    Units

  • 15

    Cities

4 Communities in Columbia
Murn Management
Murn Management
  • 15

    Communities

  • 5,394

    Units

  • 11

    Cities

4 Communities in Columbia
Armiger Management Corporation
Armiger Management Corporation
  • 11

    Communities

  • 1,862

    Units

  • 9

    Cities

4 Communities in Columbia
The Dolben Company
The Dolben Company
  • 61

    Communities

  • 14,362

    Units

  • 45

    Cities

3 Communities in Columbia
ZRS Management
ZRS Management
  • 337

    Communities

  • 100,090

    Units

  • 137

    Cities

2 Communities in Columbia
AvalonBay
AvalonBay
  • 190

    Communities

  • 69,321

    Units

  • 128

    Cities

2 Communities in Columbia

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United States Maryland Columbia Rental Trends

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.

* Percentages may not total 100 due to rounding.

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Equal Housing Opportunity