Cheap Apartments for Rent in Columbia, MO from $400 (77 Rentals)

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Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in Columbia.

Your Guide to Co-Signers: The Risks, Rewards, and Everything in Between

Thinking about getting a co-signer for your rental application? We break down what a co-signer is, the potential benefits, and the serious risks for both parties. Find out if it's the right choice for you.

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property at 1108 Coats St

1108 Coats St

ColumbiaMO65201

Roommate Matching: Finding the Right Fit and Avoiding Pitfalls

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property at 801 N Ann St

801 N Ann St

ColumbiaMO65201
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Deerfield Apartments
1 to 4 Bedroom Apartments

Deerfield Apartments

1516 Sylvan LnColumbia, MO 65202
  • Utilities Included
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The View
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments

The View

2901 W Rollins RdColumbia, MO 65203
  • Utilities Included

The Art of the Rental Viewing: What to look for during a property tour

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Columbia, MO Local Guide

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Written By:
Staff Writer
Local Guide Expert

Cheapest Neighborhoods for Apartments in Columbia, MO

Pricing Updated: 09/16/2025

Current apartment rentals in the Columbia, MO area range in price from $595 to $3,338 with an overall median price of $2,035. The three Columbia neighborhoods with the lowest median rent pricing are Mexico Gravel at $675, Tiger Village Apartments at $640, and Broadway Farms at $640. Here is today’s list of the top 8 neighborhoods with the lowest median pricing for Columbia Apartments for rent:

NeighborhoodMedian PriceMin PriceAvailable Units
Mexico Gravel$1,400$67522
Tiger Village Apartments$1,411$64031
Broadway Farms$1,490$64023
Auburn Hills$1,532$1,00010
The Links of Columbia$2,050$59539
Downtown Columbia$2,800$62533
Old Shoe Factory District$2,800$62532
Tenth Hitt Elm Locust$2,800$59536

Cheapest Available Columbia Apartments for Rent

 

The cheapest available apartment rental in Columbia, MO is a 2 Beds unit found at Columbia Square Townhome Apartments in the Tiger Village Apartments neighborhood priced from $510. Grindstone at Columbia has the second lowest priced unit, which is a 2 Beds apartment currently listed from $640. Here is today’s list of the most affordable Columbia apartments for rent:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPriced From
Columbia Square Townhome Apartments2x12BR,1BA$510
Grindstone at Columbia2BR/2BA2BR,2BA$640
The Links at ColumbiaClassic Deluxe II1BR,1BA$800
Columbia Crossing1 Bedroom1BR,1BA$858
WoodlakeW-A2BR,1BA$868
Library Place Apartments1BR/1.0BA1BR,1BA$900
Heather Ridge2 bedroom2BR,1BA$970
Courtyard Apartments1 Bedroom1BR,1BA$992
Broadway ApartmentsThe Broadhurst2BR,1BA$1,050

Best Value Apartments for Rent in Columbia, MO

As of September 16, 2025 the best value apartment in the Columbia area is the $0.85 price per square foot 3/2.5 Model at THE FALLS OF COLUMBIA in the starting from $1,699. The second greatest value Columbia apartment is the 4B 2.5B UP Model at CROSS CREEK VILLAS starting at $1,799 with a $0.90 price per square foot in the Auburn Hills neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for Columbia apartments based on price per square foot:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPrice Per Sq.Ft.
THE FALLS OF COLUMBIA3/2.53BR,2.5BA$0.85
CROSS CREEK VILLAS4B 2.5B UP4BR,2.5BA$0.90
16 N 10th StFour Bed Two Bath4BR,2BA$0.43
The Collective at ColumbiaThe Truman2BR,2.5BA$0.63
Grayson at Columbia2BR/2.5BA - 22F2BR,2.5BA$0.65
Grindstone at Columbia2BR/2BA2BR,2BA$0.62
The DenB22BR,2BA$0.87
Columbia Square Townhome Apartments2x12BR,1BA$0.61
The Landing CoMoA - 2x22BR,2BA$0.99
The Quarters ColumbiaB - 2x22BR,2BA$0.98

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The common "Rule of Thumb" is that rent should be no more than 30% of your income. How much is that? Enter your monthly income and click "Calculate My Budget" to find out.

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Columbia Overview

Apartments in Columbia, MO are plentiful and all of them have their own personality. Your preferences are sure to align perfectly with one of them. If you’re looking for a city that’s teeming with ethnic diversity, you’ll love Columbia. It’s the perfect example of a melting pot at its finest. This southern city will offer you a wonderful place to call home.

Why live in Columbia, MO?

Several qualities make Columbia a unique and desirable city. Since there aren't any large cities too close by, it'll be easy to get away when that is needed. If you wind up wanting more city than you have, by traveling several hours east, you can visit the sprawling city of St. Louis. Columbia makes a wonderful retreat from harsh winters of the North and boasts numerous examples of natural beauty. The mighty Missouri River can be reached by a short drive to the southwest.

Columbia, MO
Population: 123,180

Ranked #225

in US Census Population by City

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Best Local Schools in
Columbia, MO

School data provided by Great Schools

Remember the 3 Rules of Real Estate:
Location, Location, Location!

Explore Columbia, MO Rentals by Map

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See the most popular apartments and homes in Columbia, MO

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Getting Around Columbia, MO

Walk Score®

40 / 100

Car-Dependent

Most errands require a car

Bike Score®

44 / 100

Somewhat Bikeable

Minimal bike infrastructure

What Are Walk Score®, Transit Score®, and Bike Score® Ratings?

  • Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address.
  • Transit Score® measures access to public transit.
  • Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.

Columbia, MO Area Reviews

    Unknown • 4+ years in Columbia

    April 14, 2025

    The prices that the landlords have raised rent to is absolutely INSANE in this town. For places not even updated it really makes this town look like it's ran by a bunch of slum lords just collecting that high rent check and taking full advantage of people that have no other choice but to rent. This is embarrassing. There needs to be laws put in place on year make and model of place so people aren't being taken full advantage of...This is awful and any landlord out there knows they are so wrong for doing people like this PERIOD!

    Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap Columbia Apartments

    What is the price of a cheap apartment in Columbia?

    The cheapest apartment in Columbia is The Links at Columbia which is listed at $800, while the average apartment in Columbia costs $2,035.

    What types of apartments are the cheapest in Columbia?

    Student, low-income, and by-the-bed apartments are typically the cheapest rentals in most cities, though they require qualifying criteria to rent. There are 12 regular apartments in Columbia that we think qualify as ‘cheap apartments’ that do not have special requirements to apply to rent.

    How do the prices of cheap apartments compare to the average apartment in Columbia?

    Cheap apartments in Columbia have an average cost of $275 which is $1,760 cheaper than the average rent for all rentals in Columbia.

    Expert Rental Resources

    Helpful Apartment Articles, How-To's and Tips

    The rental experts at ApartmentHomeLiving.com provide you with top advice, tools, and tips for understanding the leasing process and finding the perfect rental. Here are a few helpful rental and leasing articles from our experts to guide you on your search.

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    The Rental Move-In Inspection Checklist: A Guide for Renters

    Written by: Trey Huguley

    The move-in inspection checklist is a crucial tool for both tenants and landlords. This checklist, provided by the team at ApartmentHomeLiving.com, helps document the condition of an apartment at the time of move-in.

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    Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.

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    The Ultimate Long-Distance Moving Checklist: Tips from a Real Estate Pro

    Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.

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    decorative image for Cash or credit? Understanding the Importance of Credit Score in Real Estate and Renting article

    Cash or credit? Understanding the Importance of Credit Score in Real Estate and Renting

    Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.

    Throughout the day, think about all the times that you have to pay for something. So many of us reach automatically for a credit card or even our phone for a quick payment.