The Lady
1310 Lady St,
Columbia, SC 29201
Studio - 3 Beds | $1,499 - $2,075
Rental Market Trends in Columbia, SC
Updated September 2026
The average rent in Columbia, SC is $1,180/month.
Rent in Columbia is 29% lower than the national average rent of $1,665/month, making this one of the less expensive cities statewide.
$1,180/month
Average Rent
729 Sq Ft
Average Size
+1.4%
Change / Year
4,052
Available Apartments
Columbia rent varies by unit size and layout:
- Studio apartments in Columbia average $1,027 per month.
- One-bedroom apartments in Columbia average $1,180 per month.
- Two-bedroom apartments in Columbia average $1,380 per month.
- Three-bedroom apartments in Columbia average $1,770 or more per month.
Average Rent by Home Type
Bedrooms
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Bedrooms
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Bedrooms
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Bedrooms
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
How much has average rent changed in Columbia, SC?
In the past year, rent has increased by 1.4%, which averages out to $17 more per month.
Market Trends Over Time
September 2026
2025
2026
Rent Ranges in Columbia, SC
September 2026
$1,001 - $1,500
Most rental prices fall within this range
Percentage*
Rent Range
4%
Below $700/month
17%
$700 - $1,000/month
51%
$1,001 - $1,500/month
21%
$1,501 - $2,000/month
7%
Above $2,000/month
Rent by Neighborhood
What are the most affordable neighborhoods in Columbia?
Based on current rent prices, Far North Columbia, St Andrews and Laurel Hill are the most affordable neighborhoods in Columbia.
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
What are the most expensive neighborhoods in Columbia?
Based on current rent prices, Bull Street, Old Shandon and University Hill are the most expensive neighborhoods in Columbia.
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Which Columbia neighborhoods have the most rentals available?
The neighborhoods in Columbia with the most apartments available are Northeast Arcadia Lakes, St Andrews and Downtown Columbia .
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
What salary do I need to live comfortably in Columbia, SC?
Because the average rent in Columbia is $1,180, you’ll want to make about $3,933 per month or $47,196 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.
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Columbia, SC is 9.9% lower than the national average. Generally, housing in Columbia is 29.0% less expensive than the national average, with rent falling between $1,027 - $1,770. You can expect to pay 1.3% less for groceries, 0.4% less for utilities, and 7.8% less for transportation.
How does Columbia, SC compare to other nearby cities and neighborhoods?
Use the tool below to compare Columbia, SC 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.
View the Columbia Area GuideStudio
$621/month
$1,788/month
One Bedroom
$706/month
$1,743/month
Two Bedroom
-
$2,423/month
Three Bedroom
-
$2,933/month
Compare Rent Trends Nearby
Get a clearer picture of the area by viewing rent trends in nearby cities.
Apartment Communities in Columbia We Think You'll Love
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average rent in Columbia?
The average rent in Columbia is $1,180 per month, which is 29.1% lower than the national average of $1,665.
What is the average rent for a house in Columbia?
The average rent for a house in Columbia, SC is $1,853 per month.
What is the average rent for a townhome in Columbia?
The average rent for a townhome in Columbia, SC is $1,380 per month.
What is the average rent for a condo in Columbia?
The average rent for a condo in Columbia, SC is $1,075 per month.
Are rents going up or down in Columbia?
Rents in Columbia, SC are increasing, with prices up 1.4% year-over-year and $17 more per month.
What rent range is most common in Columbia?
In Columbia, SC, 51% of apartments fall between $1,001 - $1,500/month, though prices may vary depending on location and other factors.
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 September 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.
* Percentages may not total 100 due to rounding.