Cheap Apartments for Rent in Columbia, MO from $589 (150 Rentals)

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

Rent According to Income: A Look at Income-Restricted Rentals

Find income-restricted rentals and housing subsidies. Explore government programs designed to help low-income families secure stable, affordable housing.

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property at 113 W Ash St
$950

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent$950
Total Monthly Price$950
2 Bedroom, 2 Bath Condo for Rent
Available Oct 1
Affordability

113 W Ash St, Unit B

113 W Ash St
ColumbiaMO65203

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2407 Clark Ln, Unit A
$1,000

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent$1,000
Total Monthly Price$1,000
2 Bedroom Apartment Available Oct 1

2407 Clark Ln, Unit A

2407 Clark LnColumbia, MO 65202
Affordability

How I Find the Perfect Rental for My Clients: A Real Estate Pro's Guide

Finding the right apartment starts with three things: location, cost, and amenities. Get the insider perspective from a real estate professional on how to nail all three.

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property at 4823 E Prairie Cir
$1,050

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent$1,050
Total Monthly Price$1,050
3 Bedroom, 1.5 Bath Home for Rent
Available Now
Cost Per Sq.Ft.

4823 E Prairie Cir

ColumbiaMO65201
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Montmartre Apartments
$1,055 - $1,160

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent$1,055 - $1,160
Total Monthly Price$1,055 - $1,160
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments Available Now

Montmartre Apartments

104 Clinkscales RdColumbia, MO 65203
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What Does “Rent Burdened” Mean? How Much Rent Is Too Much

Learn the official definition (spending 30% or more of your gross income on housing) and how to calculate your exact rent-to-income ratio. This guide offers expert tips on factoring in total housing costs (including utilities and fees) and budgeting accurately to avoid unnecessary financial strain.

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property at 4325 Ludwick Blvd
$1,100

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent$1,100
Total Monthly Price$1,100
2 Bedroom, 1.5 Bath Townhome for Rent
Available Now
Cost Per Sq.Ft.

4325 Ludwick Blvd

ColumbiaMO65203
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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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Columbia, MO Local Guide

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Local Guide Expert

Cheapest Neighborhoods for Apartments in Columbia, MO

Pricing Updated: 09/28/2026

Current apartment rentals in the Columbia, MO area range in price from $650 to $2,775 with an overall median price of $1,197. The three Columbia neighborhoods with the lowest median rent pricing are The Links of Columbia at $1,091, Mexico Gravel at $1,119, and Broadway Farms at $1,188. Here is today’s list of the top 8 neighborhoods with the lowest median pricing for Columbia Apartments for rent:

NeighborhoodMedian PriceMin PriceAvailable Units
The Links of Columbia$1,091$65033
Mexico Gravel$1,119$80021
Broadway Farms$1,188$68535
Old Shoe Factory District$1,209$65018
Downtown Columbia$1,210$65034
Tenth Hitt Elm Locust$1,239$65026
Tiger Village Apartments$1,242$68535
Auburn Hills$1,535$1,0006

Cheapest Available Columbia Apartments for Rent

 

The cheapest available apartment rental in Columbia, MO is a 4 Beds unit found at Campus Lodge Columbia priced from $589. Columbia Square Apartments in the Tiger Village Apartments neighborhood has the second lowest priced unit, which is a 3 Beds apartment currently listed from $721. Here is today’s list of the most affordable Columbia apartments for rent:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPriced From
Campus Lodge Columbia4x44BR, 4BA$589
Columbia Square ApartmentsColumbia Square Three Bedroom (Affordable - Income3BR, 1BA$721
Ash Street Place Apartments1x11BR, 1BA$730
The Links at ColumbiaClassic Deluxe II1BR, 1BA$800
911 Ashland Rd1BR/1.0BA1BR, 1BA$800
Broadway ApartmentsSpacious 1 Bedroom 1 Bathroom Apartment Home1BR, 1BA$900
Benton Stephens Apartments1x11BR, 1BA$950
Library Place Apartments2BR/1.0BA2BR, 1BA$975
Forest VillageFV-A2BR, 1BA$993
Stadium ApartmentsThe Greenbriar2BR, 1BA$995

Best Value Apartments for Rent in Columbia, MO

As of September 28, 2026 the best value apartment in the Columbia area is the $0.29 price per square foot 1x1 Model at 1513 Bouchelle Ave in the Downtown Columbia neighborhood starting from $850. The second greatest value Columbia apartment is the 4BR/2.5BA Model at Cross Creek Villas in the Auburn Hills neighborhood starting at $1,549 with a $0.77 price per square foot. 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.
1513 Bouchelle Ave1x11BR, 1BA$0.29
Cross Creek Villas4BR/2.5BA4BR, 2.5BA$0.77
The RowThe Mizzou4BR, 3BA$0.40
5-Rolling Rock Apartments4BR/3.0BA4BR, 3BA$1.06
River Birch ApartmentsRiver Birch WestW/Garage2BR, 2.5BA$1.13
Grayson at Columbia3BR/3BA3BR, 3BA$0.51
Jenne Hill TownhomesJenne Hill - 4 Bedroom 2.5 Bath Townhome4BR, 2.5BA$1.08
Cottage GroveTownhomes2BR, 2.5BA$1.04
Park ViewPark View - 3 bed 3 bath3BR, 3BA$1.16
North Hampton Village2BR - 2BTH2BR, 2BA$1.12

Don't Settle: How to Negotiate Your Apartment Lease and Save Money

Discover the insider tips from an attorney and real estate agent on how to negotiate your next apartment lease. Find out what's on the table and what's not, so you can save money and get the best terms possible.

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Navigating the Rental Market: Tips for First-Time Renters

Entering the rental market? Learn these simple tips and strategies to avoid common pitfalls and make confident choices. Rent with peace of mind.

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Real Estate and Rental Term Glossary | ApartmentHomeLiving.com Renter University

From the letter A all the way to the letter Z, the Real Estate and Rental Term Glossary from the content team at ApartmentHomeLiving.com provides our visitors and shoppers with a little clarity and helpful guidance in navigating the real estate world through definitions and explainers for the top subjects and terms that someone may come across during the leasing, buying, or selling process.

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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.

Pet Friendly Lifestyle
Columbia, MO

Ranked #5

Among cities in Missouri for Apartment listings with Pet Friendly Amenities.

Pet Friendliness Lifestyle Score

2.5
Pet Friendly

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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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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 Ash Street Place Apartments which is listed at $730, while the average apartment in Columbia costs $1,197.

    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 22 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 $585 which is $612 cheaper than the average rent for all rentals in Columbia.

    Expert Rental Resources

    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.

    Articles, How-To's, and Tips

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    How Commercial-to-Residential Property Conversions Help the Housing Crisis

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    Many housing markets throughout America share a common complaint: a lack of affordable rental properties.

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    Exploring Rental Options: Apartments, Townhomes, and Lofts - Oh My!

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    Where do you see yourself? When you think of home, sweet home, are you in a 3/2 apartment? Dreaming of a tall townhome? Maybe an industrial loft heavy on cool vibes is on your visioning board.

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    Practical Tips for Renters: How to Identify a Great Rental and Avoid Red Flags

    Written by: Robin Stewart

    Renters want to find a great apartment, the right place for them, one that checks all the boxes of location, rental cost, amenities, safety, and more.