Cheap Apartments for Rent in Columbia, MO from $500 (240 Rentals)

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

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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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 400 Mimosa Ct

$1,000 - $1,350

1 To 2 Bedroom Rentals

Available Aug 1

400 Mimosa Ct

ColumbiaMO65201

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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Montmartre Apartments
$1,055 - $1,350
Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$1,055 - $1,350
Total Monthly Price
$1,055 - $1,350
1 to 3 Bedroom Apartments Available Now

Montmartre Apartments

104 Clinkscales RdColumbia, MO 65203
Senior Living
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property at 213 N Ann St

$1,075

1 Bedroom Rentals

Available Now

213 N Ann St

ColumbiaMO65201

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 3408 Balboa Ln

$1,125 - $1,200

1 To 2 Bedroom Rentals

Available Now

3408 Balboa Ln

ColumbiaMO65203

Renters Insurance 101: What It Is, What It Covers, and Why You Need It

From theft to fire to water damage, the unexpected can happen to any renter. Discover why renters insurance is one of the smartest and most affordable investments you can make as a tenant.

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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: 06/27/2026

Current apartment rentals in the Columbia, MO area range in price from $650 to $3,787 with an overall median price of $1,690. The three Columbia neighborhoods with the lowest median rent pricing are Auburn Hills at $1,400, Tiger Village Apartments at $710, and Mexico Gravel at $800. Here is today’s list of the top 8 neighborhoods with the lowest median pricing for Columbia Apartments for rent:

NeighborhoodMedian PriceMin PriceAvailable Units
Auburn Hills$1,495$1,4003
Tiger Village Apartments$1,501$71054
Mexico Gravel$1,650$80020
The Links of Columbia$1,650$65040
Old Shoe Factory District$1,662$65030
Downtown Columbia$1,675$65043
Tenth Hitt Elm Locust$1,687$65031
Broadway Farms$2,200$71061

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. Ash Street Place Apartments in the Tiger Village Apartments neighborhood has the second lowest priced unit, which is a 2 Beds apartment currently listed from $815. 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
Ash Street Place Apartments2x12BR,1BA$815
Grindstone at Columbia2BR/2BA2BR,2BA$880
Tiger VillageOne Bedroom One Bath1BR,1BA$885
Broadway ApartmentsThe Hayes1BR,1BA$900
Courtyard Apartments1 Bedroom 1 Bath1BR,1BA$931
James Dale ApartmentsJamesdale2BR,1BA$950
Stadium Apartments2 Bed - Standard2BR,1BA$970

Best Value Apartments for Rent in Columbia, MO

As of June 27, 2026 the best value apartment in the Columbia area is the $0.39 price per square foot The Mizzou Model at The Row in the starting from $699. The second greatest value Columbia apartment is the Sundeck Duplex Model at Manor Homes starting at $1,700 with a $0.97 price per square foot in the The Links of Columbia 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 RowThe Mizzou4BR,3BA$0.39
Manor HomesSundeck Duplex3BR,2.5BA$0.97
Collective at ColumbiaThe Faurot3BR,3.5BA$0.49
River Birch ApartmentsRiver Birch West2BR,2.5BA$1.06
Jenne Hill TownhomesJenne Hill - 4 Bedroom 2.5 Bath Townhome4BR,2.5BA$1.05
The Lyfe @ Missouri3x33BR,3BA$0.60
Campus Lodge4x44BR,4BA$0.53
Deer Valley ApartmentsLuxury2BR,2BA$1.09
Grindstone at Columbia2BR/2BA2BR,2BA$0.85
Ash Street Place Apartments2x12BR,1BA$1.11

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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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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Quick Rent Budget Calculator

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

    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 $1,690.

    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 15 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 $397 which is $1,293 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

    decorative image for Renters Insurance 101: What It Is, What It Covers, and Why You Need It article

    Renters Insurance 101: What It Is, What It Covers, and Why You Need It

    Written by: Robin Stewart

    Insurance seems to be a part of life. In some states, having insurance is the law, as is the case for automobile insurance. Renters are no exception.

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    Apartment Occupancy Rates: Renter Attraction vs Renter Retention

    Written by: Robin Stewart

    There’s a tenet in marketing about client or customer attraction and retention. Studies and data have consistently shown it costs less to keep a current customer than to attract a new one.

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

    Written by: Robin Stewart

    Evaluating rental properties for clients draws many parallels to house-hunting. Whether an apartment, loft, townhouse, or other rental, finding the right place means finding “home” for your client.

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    Pet-Friendly Renting: Everything You Need to Know Before You Move

    Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.

    For so many of us, pets are the best companions and a big part of our lives. For this reason, a pet-friendly house or apartment is often a very important - and nonnegotiable - part of a move.