Flats at 5th
2576 E 5th St,
Columbus, NE 68601
$1,199 - $1,800
Studio - 2 Beds
Rental Market Trends in Columbus, NE
What is the average rent in Columbus, NE?
$1,133/month
Average Rent
718 Sq Ft
Average Apartment Size
+3.2%
Increase in the Last Year
As of March 2026, the average rent in Columbus, NE is $1,133 per month. This is 30% lower than the national average rent of $1,627/month, making renting in Columbus more affordable than most cities in the US. When you rent an apartment in Columbus, you can expect to pay about $1,249 per month for a studio, $1,133 for a one-bedroom apartment, and around $1,143 for a two-bedroom apartment. If you opt for a three-bedroom rental, you could pay $1,103 or more.
Floor Plan Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Floor Plan Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Floor Plan Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Floor Plan Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
How much has average rent changed in Columbus, NE?
In the past year, rent has increased by 3.2%, which averages out to $37 more per month.
Market Trends Over Time
The chart below compares average rent prices to the previous year during the same time period.
Last Updated March 2026
Legend
2025
2026
Rent Ranges in Columbus, NE
Last Updated March 2026
$700 - $1,000
Most rental prices fall within this range
Percentage*
Rent Range
0%
Below $700/month
50%
$700 - $1,000/month
50%
$1,001 - $1,500/month
0%
$1,501 - $2,000/month
0%
Above $2,000/month
What salary do I need to live comfortably in Columbus, NE?
Because the average rent in Columbus is $1,133, you’ll want to make about $3,776 per month or $45,312 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 Columbus, NE compare to other nearby cities and neighborhoods?
Use the tool below to compare Columbus, NE 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.
Apartment communities in Columbus we think you'll love
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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 February 2026.
* Percentages may not total 100 due to rounding.