Cheap Apartments for Rent in Columbia, MO from $400 (99 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 1400 Bass Ave

$850 - $1,000

1 To 2 Bedroom Rentals

Available Jun 12

1400 Bass Ave

ColumbiaMO65201
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Woodlake
$852 - $1,459
Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$836 - $1,443
Required Monthly Fees
$16
Total Monthly Price
$852 - $1,459
2 Bedroom Apartments Available Now

Woodlake

2609 Eastwood DrColumbia, MO 65202
Affordability
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property at 108 Sieville Ave

$900 - $1,000

1 To 2 Bedroom Rentals

Available Now

108 Sieville Ave

ColumbiaMO65203

Roommate Matching: Finding the Right Fit and Avoiding Pitfalls

When searching for a roommate, follow this list of essential steps and set clear expectations to create a solid foundation for a harmonious living situation.

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property at 1107 E Walnut St

$950 - $1,200

1 To 2 Bedroom Rentals

Available Now

1107 E Walnut St

ColumbiaMO65201
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Forest Village
Rent Specials
$968 - $2,298
Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$960 - $2,290
Required Monthly Fees
$8
Total Monthly Price
$968 - $2,298
2 Bedroom Apartments Available Now

Forest Village

3001 S Providence RdColumbia, MO 65203
Pet Friendly
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The Art of the Rental Viewing: What to look for during a property tour

Touring a rental? This guide helps you know exactly what to look for, from safety features to hidden flaws, so you can confidently sign your lease or keep searching.

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property at 110 Dorsey St

$1,000

2 Bedroom Rentals

Available Now

110 Dorsey St

ColumbiaMO65201

Smart Renter's Guide: Calculating Affordable Rent & Housing Costs

Wondering how to determine your rental budget? This comprehensive guide covers everything from the 30% rule to hidden fees and effective budgeting strategies.

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property at 213 N Ann St

$965 - $1,075

1 Bedroom Rentals

Available Now

213 N Ann St

ColumbiaMO65201

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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Columbia, MO Local Guide

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Local Guide Expert

Cheapest Neighborhoods for Apartments in Columbia, MO

Pricing Updated: 03/28/2026

Current apartment rentals in the Columbia, MO area range in price from $800 to $3,900 with an overall median price of $3,060. The three Columbia neighborhoods with the lowest median rent pricing are Auburn Hills at $1,200, Mexico Gravel at $950, and Tiger Village Apartments at $995. Here is today’s list of the top 7 neighborhoods with the lowest median pricing for Columbia Apartments for rent:

NeighborhoodMedian PriceMin PriceAvailable Units
Auburn Hills$1,495$1,20019
Mexico Gravel$1,525$9505
Tiger Village Apartments$2,800$9958
Downtown Columbia$3,900$80028
Old Shoe Factory District$3,900$80029
Tenth Hitt Elm Locust$3,900$80028
The Links of Columbia$3,900$95044

Cheapest Available Columbia Apartments for Rent

 

The cheapest available apartment rental in Columbia, MO is a 1 Bed unit found at The Links at Columbia in the The Links of Columbia neighborhood priced from $800. Grindstone at Columbia has the second lowest priced unit, which is a 2 Beds apartment currently listed from $880. Here is today’s list of the most affordable Columbia apartments for rent:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPriced From
The Links at ColumbiaClassic Deluxe II1BR,1BA$800
Grindstone at Columbia2BR/2BA2BR,2BA$880
Heather Ridge1 Bedroom 1 Bath1BR,1BA$909
WoodlakeW-A2BR,1BA$910
Broadway ApartmentsThe Hayes1BR,1BA$925
Tiger VillageOne Bedroom One Bath1BR,1BA$936
Forest VillageFV-C2BR,1BA$968
Courtyard Apartments1 Bedroom 1 Bath1BR,1BA$976
Kitty Hawk ApartmentsBrunswick, 2 Bed x 1 Bath, 790 sqft, Tier 32BR,1BA$1,000

Best Value Apartments for Rent in Columbia, MO

As of March 28, 2026 the best value apartment in the Columbia area is the $0.97 price per square foot 3BR/2.5BA Model at The Residences at Old Hawthorne in the in the The Links of Columbia neighborhood starting from $2,200. The second greatest value Columbia apartment is the 4BR/2.5BA Model at Cross Creek Villas starting at $1,549 with a $0.77 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 Residences at Old Hawthorne3BR/2.5BA3BR,2.5BA$0.97
Cross Creek Villas4BR/2.5BA4BR,2.5BA$0.77
River Birch ApartmentsRiver Birch West2BR,2.5BA$1.06
408 Circus Ave3 Beds, 2.5 baths3BR,2.5BA$0.98
Rock Quarry VillageThree Bedroom Townhome3BR,2BA$0.90
Grayson at Columbia2BR/2.5BA - 22F2BR,2.5BA$0.77
Campus Lodge4x44BR,4BA$0.55
Wellington Manor2 BR2BR,2BA$1.13
Grindstone at Columbia2BR/2BA2BR,2BA$0.85
The Lyfe @ Missouri2x22BR,2BA$0.83

10 Hidden Costs of Renting You Should Budget for Before Signing a Lease

Avoid financial stress when renting. Learn about the 10 most common hidden costs—from pet fees to utilities—you must budget for before you sign a lease.

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

Moving is tough, especially long-distance. Learn how to minimize stress & expenses with proven strategies from a real estate pro, covering everything from logistics to finances.

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

Discover how your credit score impacts your ability to lease or buy a home. Learn how credit scores are determined, how to check yours, and strategies to improve it for real estate success.

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How much rent can you afford?

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.

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

    How much is rent for a Cheap One Bedroom Columbia Apartment?

    The lowest price for a Cheap One Bedroom Columbia Apartment is $800 at The Links at Columbia.

    What is the lowest price for a Cheap Two Bedroom Columbia Apartment for rent?

    Today's best deal for a Cheap Two Bedroom Apartment in Columbia is starting from $880 at Grindstone at Columbia.

    What is the most affordable Columbia Three Bedroom Apartment?

    The best deal on a cheap Columbia Three Bedroom Apartment rental is at Rock Quarry Village and starts from $1,200.

    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

    decorative image for Maximizing Your Refund: Essential Tax Tips for Renters article

    Maximizing Your Refund: Essential Tax Tips for Renters

    Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.

    Other than tax professionals, I can’t think of anyone who looks forward to tax season. For everybody else, April is a stressful month to collect information and meet deadlines.

    decorative image for 18 Must-Ask Rental Tour Questions That Reveal the Truth about a Property article

    18 Must-Ask Rental Tour Questions That Reveal the Truth about a Property

    Written by: Lauren Harrington

    Renting your next home can feel thrilling and overwhelming at the same time.

    decorative image for A Renters Guide for Tips on Writing Your Notice for Not Renewing Your Apartment article

    A Renters Guide for Tips on Writing Your Notice for Not Renewing Your Apartment

    Written by: Bob Mallory

    Packing up everything you own to move is so stressful for many that ending your apartment lease can feel like a small or unimportant task. Ending your lease involves more than simply turning over your keys on the last day.

    decorative image for Renting with Roommates: Realistic Expectations for Shared Lease article

    Renting with Roommates: Realistic Expectations for Shared Lease

    Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.

    Given the high costs for housing, I have found that many people are looking for a roommate to share expenses. These arrangements can increase opportunities for more desirable and larger spaces.