Rental Market Trends in Columbia, MD

Q: What is the average rent in Columbia, MD?

As of December 2025, the average rent in Columbia, MD was $1,858/month.

What is the average rent in Columbia, MD?

$1,858/month

Average Rent

770 Sq Ft

Average Apartment Size

+0.1%

Increase in the Last Year

As of December 2025, the average rent in Columbia, MD is $1,858 per month. For comparison, the national average rent price in the US is currently $1,632/month, which means Columbia rent prices are 14% higher than the national average. When you rent an apartment in Columbia, you can expect to pay about $1,874 per month for a studio, $1,858 for a one-bedroom apartment, and around $2,166 for a two-bedroom apartment. If you opt for a three-bedroom rental, you could pay $2,709 or more.

Floor Plan Type

Average Rent

Average Sq Ft

Studio

$1,874/month

552 Sq Ft

One Bedroom

$1,858/month

770 Sq Ft

Two Bedroom

$2,166/month

1,029 Sq Ft

Three Bedroom

$2,709/month

1,293 Sq Ft

Floor Plan Type

Average Rent

Average Sq Ft

Two Bedroom

$2,124/month

1,187 Sq Ft

Three Bedroom

$3,132/month

1,913 Sq Ft

Four Bedroom

$4,220/month

2,496 Sq Ft

Floor Plan Type

Average Rent

Average Sq Ft

Two Bedroom

$2,016/month

1,001 Sq Ft

Floor Plan Type

Average Rent

Average Sq Ft

One Bedroom

$1,401/month

823 Sq Ft

Three Bedroom

$3,002/month

1,308 Sq Ft

Four Bedroom

$3,301/month

1,483 Sq Ft

How much has average rent changed in Columbia, MD?

In the past year, rent has increased by 0.1%, which averages out to $3 more per month.

Percentage*

Rent Range

0% Below $700/month

0% $700 - $1,000/month

2% $1,001 - $1,500/month

42% $1,501 - $2,000/month

56% Above $2,000/month

Rent by Neighborhood

Last Updated Today

What are the most affordable neighborhoods in Columbia?

Based on current rent prices, Running Brook, Stevens Forest and Talbot Springs are the most affordable neighborhoods in Columbia.

Calculate Rent Affordability

Neighborhood

Average Rent

Average Sq Ft

Running Brook

$1,647/month

725 Sq Ft

Stevens Forest

$1,650/month

799 Sq Ft

Talbot Springs

$1,702/month

824 Sq Ft

Oakland Mills

$1,737/month

797 Sq Ft

Huntington

$1,794/month

757 Sq Ft

Kings Contrivance

$1,800/month

766 Sq Ft

Long Reach

$1,800/month

803 Sq Ft

Dickinson

$1,840/month

766 Sq Ft

Harper's Choice

$1,850/month

762 Sq Ft

Hobbit's Glen

$1,855/month

780 Sq Ft

What are the most expensive neighborhoods in Columbia?

Based on current rent prices, Columbia Town Center, Downtown Columbia and Avalon Symphony Woods are the most expensive neighborhoods in Columbia.

Calculate Rent Affordability

Neighborhood

Average Rent

Average Sq Ft

Columbia Town Center

$2,792/month

794 Sq Ft

Downtown Columbia

$2,400/month

770 Sq Ft

Avalon Symphony Woods

$2,124/month

811 Sq Ft

Hickory Ridge

$2,118/month

747 Sq Ft

Banneker Place Condominiums

$2,011/month

794 Sq Ft

Fairway Hills

$1,976/month

776 Sq Ft

Village Center North

$1,957/month

742 Sq Ft

Wilde Lake

$1,881/month

741 Sq Ft

Hobbit's Glen

$1,855/month

780 Sq Ft

Harper's Choice

$1,850/month

762 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

$2,400/month

770 Sq Ft

Hickory Ridge

$2,118/month

747 Sq Ft

Oakland Mills

$1,737/month

797 Sq Ft

Harper's Choice

$1,850/month

762 Sq Ft

Fairway Hills

$1,976/month

776 Sq Ft

Wilde Lake

$1,881/month

741 Sq Ft

Long Reach

$1,800/month

803 Sq Ft

Talbot Springs

$1,702/month

824 Sq Ft

Kings Contrivance

$1,800/month

766 Sq Ft

Stevens Forest

$1,650/month

799 Sq Ft

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

Because the average rent in Columbia is $1,858, you’ll want to make about $6,193 per month or $74,316 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.

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

Running Brook

Columbia, MD

Columbia Town Center

Columbia, MD

Studio

One Bedroom

Two Bedroom

Three Bedroom

Nearby City Rent Trends

Apartment communities in Columbia we think you'll love

Aspen at Lake Trail

5764 Stevens Forest Rd,
Columbia, MD 21045

$1,490 - $2,425

1-3 Beds

Dorsey Overlook

9580 Old Route 108,
Ellicott City, MD 21042

$3,799 - $4,800

3 Beds

Bowling Brook Apartments

9000 Stebbing Way,
Laurel, MD 20723

$2,192 - $2,807

1-2 Beds

Stonehaven Apartments

7030 Gentle Shade Rd,
Columbia, MD 21046

$1,999 - $3,324

1-3 Beds

Property Management Companies in Columbia, MD

Greystar

3,448

Communities
950,682

Units
876

Cities

5 Communities in Columbia

Bozzuto

383

Communities
119,371

Units
158

Cities

4 Communities in Columbia

Humphrey Development

20

Communities
2,855

Units
16

Cities

4 Communities in Columbia

Murn Management

14

Communities
5,203

Units
10

Cities

4 Communities in Columbia

Armiger Management Corporation

11

Communities
1,862

Units
9

Cities

4 Communities in Columbia

The Dolben Company

61

Communities
14,362

Units
45

Cities

3 Communities in Columbia

ZRS Management

343

Communities
101,978

Units
136

Cities

2 Communities in Columbia

AvalonBay

199

Communities
71,292

Units
133

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.