Cheap Student Apartments for Rent in Columbia, SC from $400 (26 Rentals)

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Student Housing Options in Columbia.

Cheap Apartments in Columbia.

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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Yugo Columbia Lofts
1 to 4 Bedroom Apartments

Yugo Columbia Lofts

211 Main StColumbia, SC 29201
Student Housing
  • Utilities Included
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Carolina Heights
1 to 4 Bedroom Apartments

Carolina Heights

700 Pickens StColumbia, SC 29201
Student Housing
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Garnet Crossing
2 to 5 Bedroom Apartments

Garnet Crossing

1929 Bluff RdColumbia, SC 29201
Student Housing
  • Utilities Included

First Apartment Regrets: Real Renters Share What They'd Do Differently

Your first apartment comes with a learning curve nobody warns you about. Hear from real renters who've been there and get the advice they wish someone had given them on day one.

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Greene Crossing
Studio to 4 Bedroom Apartments

Greene Crossing

708 Pulaski StColumbia, SC 29201
Student Housing
  • Utilities Included
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The Rive
3 to 5 Bedroom Apartments

The Rive

1400 Huger StColumbia, SC 29201
Student Housing
  • Utilities Included
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650 Lincoln
2 to 4 Bedroom Apartments

650 Lincoln

650-700 Lincoln StColumbia, SC 29201
Student Housing
  • Utilities Included
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Hub Columbia
Studio to 5 Bedroom Apartments

Hub Columbia

1426 Main StColumbia, SC 29201
Student Housing
  • Utilities Included
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Pulaski Square Townhomes
3 Bedroom Apartments

Pulaski Square Townhomes

900 Pulaski StColumbia, SC 29201
Student Housing
  • Utilities Included

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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Narrative at Columbia
2 to 6 Bedroom Apartments

Narrative at Columbia

1050 Idlewild BlvdColumbia, SC 29201
Student Housing
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Sawyer on Lincoln
1 to 3 Bedroom Apartments

Sawyer on Lincoln

919 Catawba StColumbia, SC 29201
Student Housing
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Olympia Mills
1 to 4 Bedroom Apartments

Olympia Mills

600 Heyward StColumbia, SC 29201
Student Housing
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The Row at the Stadium
3 to 6 Bedroom Apartments

The Row at the Stadium

1105 Shop RdColumbia, SC 29201
Student Housing
  • Utilities Included
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2411 Blossom St
Studio to 3 Bedroom Apartments

2411 Blossom St

2411 Blossom StColumbia, SC 29205
Student Housing
  • Utilities Included

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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Cayce Cove
2 to 4 Bedroom Apartments

Cayce Cove

215 Spencer PlCayce, SC 29033
Student Housing
  • Utilities Included

Columbia, SC Local Guide

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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Pet Friendly Lifestyle
Columbia, SC

Ranked #3

Among cities in South Carolina for Apartment listings with Pet Friendly Amenities.

Pet Friendliness Lifestyle Score

2.5
Pet Friendly

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

Explore Columbia, SC Rentals by Map

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Columbia, SC Area Reviews

  • Parks
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  • Safety

Kama2+ years in Columbia

December 15, 2025

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

Gwendolyn2+ 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 $799.

What is the price of a cheap apartment in Columbia?

The cheapest apartment in Columbia is Acasa Prosper Fairways Apartments which is listed at $720, while the average apartment in Columbia costs $1,432.

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 1,786 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 $484 which is $948 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 Expert's 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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First Apartment Regrets: Real Renters Share What They'd Do Differently

Written by: Robin Stewart

Hindsight is 20/20. Live and Learn. With age comes wisdom. We’re familiar with all those expressions, and all of them apply to lessons first-time renters learn.

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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.