Cheap Apartments for Rent in Columbia, SC from $400 (193 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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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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Hampton Courts
$874 - $1,675
Total Monthly Price

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Base Rent
$874 - $1,675
Total Monthly Price
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1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments Available Now

Hampton Courts

501 Pelham DrColumbia, SC 29209
Student Housing
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Burnside Farms
$884 - $2,514
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Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$884 - $2,514
Total Monthly Price
Varies
1 to 3 Bedroom Apartments Available Now

Burnside Farms

1120 Corner Wind LnColumbia, SC 29209
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Local Expert's Top 8: Affordable Columbia, SC Neighborhoods for Quality Living

Moving to Columbia, SC? Explore 8 affordable neighborhoods to rent that are known for strong schools, convenient shopping, and easy access to local natural highlights like Lake Murray.

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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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Columbia, SC Local Guide

Photo of Justin Habersaat - Editing Staff
Written By:
Justin Habersaat
Editing Staff

Cheapest Neighborhoods for Apartments in Columbia, SC

Pricing Updated: 04/10/2026

Current apartment rentals in the Columbia, SC area range in price from $401 to $5,169 with an overall median price of $2,435. The three Columbia neighborhoods with the lowest median rent pricing are Belmont at $752, Arthurtown at $586, and Whitehall at $835. Here is today’s list of the top 10 neighborhoods with the lowest median pricing for Columbia Apartments for rent:

NeighborhoodMedian PriceMin PriceAvailable Units
Belmont$1,279$75237
Arthurtown$1,295$58699
Whitehall$1,335$83571
Cabb Island$1,351$75242
College Place$1,351$75242
Eau Claire$1,358$75255
Springdale$1,382$90040
Pine Ridge$1,399$92520
Byrneswood$1,450$719185
Earlewood$1,450$401185

Cheapest Available Columbia Apartments for Rent

 

The cheapest available apartment rental in Columbia, SC is a Studio unit found at Siegel Select Columbia in the Skyland Estates neighborhood priced from $401. Acasa Tropical Ridge in the Skyland Estates neighborhood has the second lowest priced unit, which is a 1 Bed apartment currently listed from $650. Here is today’s list of the most affordable Columbia apartments for rent:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPriced From
Siegel Select ColumbiaStudio - Weekly RateStudio,1BA$401
Acasa Tropical RidgeStudio 1 Bathroom1BR,1BA$650
21 OaksD1 - Premium4BR,2BA$705
The DylanA50Studio,1BA$750
Silver Station1 x 11BR,1BA$769
Mill Run1 x 11BR,1BA$798
Cypress RunStudio | 1 BathStudio,1BA$799
Aria Lake Carolina2 Bedrooms 2 Baths2BR,2BA$799
Broad View0x1Studio,1BA$799
Towers at Forest Acres1C - 1 Bedroom1BR,1BA$803

Best Value Apartments for Rent in Columbia, SC

As of April 10, 2026 the best value apartment in the Columbia area is the $0.90 price per square foot 4x4 Oasis Model at Hub Columbia in the in the Waverly neighborhood starting from $1,260. The second greatest value Columbia apartment is the 3 Beds, 2 baths Model at Hunter's Green starting at $1,200 with a $1.00 price per square foot in the Leesburg 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.
Hub Columbia4x4 Oasis4BR,4BA$0.90
Hunter's Green3 Beds, 2 baths3BR,2BA$1.00
21 OaksC1 - Premium3BR,3BA$0.78
Elmtree Apartments2 Bedroom2BR,2BA$1.00
Cypress RunStudio | 1 BathStudio ,1BA$0.73
Pine Grove Apartments2 Bedroom 1.5 Bath2BR,2BA$0.95
Deerfield Run Apartments2 Beds, 2 baths2BR,2BA$0.95
Aria Lake Carolina1 Bedroom 1 Bath1BR,1BA$0.92
Silver Station1 x 11BR,1BA$0.96
Siegel Select ColumbiaStudio - Weekly RateStudio ,1BA$0.89

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

Columbia, South Carolina is a city filled with vibrant culture, enormous education, and profound history. It offers residents a warm escape from the Winter and easy ways to travel that range from solid public transit to three major interstate highways. Residents are able to enjoy dozens of festivals, concerts, and sporting events each year and can easily drive to nearby cities such as Savannah, Charleston, Myrtle Beach, or even Atlanta. Best of all, living in Columbia apartments is a very affordable experience, allowing residents to experience big city life far cheaper than they can in other metropolitan areas.

Why live in Columbia, SC?

Columbia has the best of both worlds, offering you the major benefits of living in a big city while still retaining the very affordable cost of living that much of the South is known for. There is a diverse array of cultural and entertainment options, and seven distinct colleges, making it an ideal place to complete or enhance your education. The three interstate highways make it easy to either travel around town or to make a quick trip to places like Charlotte, Savannah, or Atlanta. And with plenty of options for affodable apartments in Columbia, finding a great place to live is a cinch.

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

Explore Columbia, SC Rentals by Map

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See the most popular apartments and homes in Columbia, SC

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Columbia, SC Area Reviews

  • Parks
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Kama • 2+ years in Columbia

December 15, 2025

Great for young professionals and families. We love Segra Park, the Harbison walking trails, and Lake Murray.

Gwendolyn • 2+ years in Columbia

February 25, 2025

I found your advertisement online. Please get in touch with me.

Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap Columbia Apartments

What is a cheap apartment in Columbia?

A cheap apartment is any apartment up to the 30% percentile of cost for the area, which in Columbia is under $803.

What is the price of a cheap apartment in Columbia?

The cheapest apartment in Columbia is Acasa Tropical Ridge which is listed at $650, while the average apartment in Columbia costs $2,435.

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 2,250 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 $389 which is $2,046 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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Local Experts Top 8: Affordable Columbia, SC Neighborhoods for Quality Living

Written by: Kama Offenberger

I'm Kama, the ApartmentHomeLiving.com Local Expert for Columbia, South Carolina.

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What Does “Rent Burdened” Mean? How Much Rent Is Too Much

Written by: Lauren Harrington

This article draws from first-hand renter experiences and recurring financial challenges reported after moving in.

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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.

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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.