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Columbia Apartments

Apartments for Rent in Columbia, SC

197 rentals available
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Columbia city guide
Everything you need to know
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Average rent in Columbia, South Carolina

City Guide
The average rent for a 1 bedroom apartment in Columbia is $1,467, while the average rent for a 2 bedroom apartment is $1,622. Rent rates updated 6 days ago
Studio
$1,516
1 Bed
$1,467
2 Beds
$1,622
3+ Beds
$1,622
* Averages are based on the rental prices of properties listed on Apartment List

Top neighborhoods in Columbia

Shandon

Shandon

What it’s like to live in Shandon

Academic energy buzzes near the University of South Carolina's historic Horseshoe. Renters score antebellum mansions converted to apartments but face gameday parking chaos during SEC football weekends. The hidden gem? Free summer concerts at the never-crowded Maxcy Gregg Park.
Great for
Families
Retirees
Professionals
Young Renters
Commuters
Neighborhood vibe
Mixed-Use
Peaceful
Mixed-Use & Commercial
South Kilbourne

South Kilbourne

What it’s like to live in South Kilbourne

Historic charm at accessible prices defines South Kilbourne, where this Columbia neighborhood offers character-filled homes from the early 20th century. The district features excellent access to both downtown employment and the developing Cross Hill Market area. While some streets show varied investment levels, the combination of central location, architectural interest, and remarkable affordability makes it worth exploring for renters seeking value in South Carolina's capital city.
Great for
Families
Retirees
Professionals
Young Renters
Commuters
Neighborhood vibe
Mixed-Use
Peaceful
Mixed-Use & Commercial
Earlewood

Earlewood

What it’s like to live in Earlewood

Historic charm defines Earlewood, where tree-lined streets showcase architectural diversity just north of downtown Columbia. Rental options include bungalows and craftsman homes from the early 20th century with details like hardwood floors and front porches. The neighborhood offers excellent access to both downtown employment and Riverfront Park recreation along the Broad River, creating an ideal balance between urban accessibility and residential character.
Great for
Families
Retirees
Professionals
Young Renters
Commuters
Neighborhood vibe
Mixed-Use
Peaceful
Mixed-Use & Commercial

Find an apartment for rent in Columbia, SC

Searching for an apartment for rent in Columbia, SC? Look no further! Apartment List will help you find a perfect apartment near you. There are 197 available rental units listed on Apartment List in Columbia. Click on listings to see photos, floorplans, amenities, prices and availability, and much more!

The average rent in Columbia is $1,516 for a studio, $1,467 for a one-bedroom apartment, and $1,622 for a two-bedroom apartment. If you are looking for a deal, keep an eye out for a red pulsing icon that indicates rent specials.

Tired of browsing? Take our personalized quiz. You’ll answer a couple of simple questions and we’ll put together a list of Columbia apartments that are best for you. We’ll also factor in your commute, budget, and preferred amenities. Looking for a pet-friendly rental, or an apartment with in-unit washer and dryer? No problem, we’ll provide you with apartments that match that criteria.

You can trust Apartment List to help you find your next Columbia, SC apartment rental! After all, everyone deserves a home they love.

Frequently Asked Questions

Columbia Rent Report: March 2025

Welcome to the Apartment List March 2025 Rent Report for Columbia, SC. Currently, the overall median rent in the city stands at $1,187, roughly the same as last month. Prices and are now up 2.0% year-over-year. Read on to learn more about what’s been happening in the Columbia rental market and how it compares to trends throughout the nation as a whole.

Columbia Renter Confidence Survey
National study of renter’s satisfaction with their cities and states
Here’s how Columbia ranks on:
B-
Overall satisfaction
B+
Safety and crime rate
C+
Jobs and career opportunities
D
Recreational activities
A
Affordability
A
Quality of schools
A-
Social Life
B-
Weather
B-
Commute time
A
State and local taxes
C
Public transit
C+
Pet-friendliness

Overview of Findings

Apartment List has released Columbia’s results from the third annual Apartment List Renter Satisfaction Survey. This survey, which drew on responses from over 45,000 renters, provides insight on what states and cities must do to meet the needs of 111 million American renters nationwide.

"Columbia renters expressed general satisfaction with the city overall," according to Apartment List. "However, ratings varied greatly across different categories, indicating that even though renters love Columbia, some aspects can be better."

Key findings in Columbia include the following:

  • Columbia renters gave their city a B- overall.
  • The highest-rated categories for Columbia were affordability, state and local taxes, and the quality of local schools, which all received A grades.
  • The areas of concern to Columbia renters are recreational activities (D) and public transit (C).
  • Millennial renters are very satisfied with their city, giving it an overall rating of A-.
  • Columbia did relatively poorly compared to other cities in South Carolina, including Charleston (A+), Greenville (A+) and Myrtle Beach (A+).
  • Columbia did relatively poorly compared to other cities nationwide, including Denver, CO (B+), Austin, TX (A-) and Seattle, WA (B+).
  • The top rated cities nationwide for renter satisfaction include Scottsdale, AZ, Irvine, CA, Boulder, CO and Ann Arbor, MI. The lowest rated cities include Tallahassee, FL, Stockton, CA, Dayton, OH, Detroit, MI and Newark, NJ.

Renters say:

  • "It’s a beautiful city. Easy commuting access from highways. The only thing I don’t like is the erratic weather: you never know when to put your summer clothes away!" – Leandra E.
  • "Love the people, but rent is expensive." – Helen S.
  • "I like the weather, the convenience of local shopping, and the friendly, kind people here." – Sheila B.
  • "I love the activities but the cost of living is high compared to pay. Safe, nice places are either really expensive or far from downtown." – Jiani H.

For more information on the survey methodology and findings or to speak to one of our researchers, please contact our team at rentonomics@apartmentlist.com.

Read More

Living in Columbia, SC

Columbia is a city full of southern hospitality, year-round southern heat, and charming southern scenery. Tree-lined streets and wrap-around porches await you in Columbia. It's a true southern culture, ripe for the pickin' and ready to rent.

Getting Around

View Columbia City Guide
Sources:
  • School data: GreatSchools
  • Crime data: CrimeIndex (U.S.) provided by Precisely used data sourced from Precisely, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and various law enforcement agencies. These organizations do not accept responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of the data used in this product.
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