Cheap Apartments for Rent in the Downtown Columbia Neighborhood of Columbia, SC from $800 (62 Rentals)

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

property at 1600 Park Cir

$915 - $920

Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$915 - $920
Total Monthly Price
$915 - $920

Studio, 1 Bath Condo for Rent

Available Aug 1

1600 Park Cir

ColumbiaSC29201

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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The Palms on Main
Rent Specials
$1,207 - $2,503
Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$1,207 - $2,503
Total Monthly Price
$1,207 - $2,503
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments Available Now

The Palms on Main

1155 Lady StColumbia, SC 29201
Furnished
  • Verified
  • Customer Reviewed
  • 3D Tour

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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238 S Marion St, Unit 240
$1,400
Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$1,400
Total Monthly Price
$1,400
2 Bedroom Apartment Available Jul 31

238 S Marion St, Unit 240

238 S Marion StColumbia, SC 29205
Affordability
  • Smoke Free

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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property at 1520 Senate St

$1,595

Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$1,595
Total Monthly Price
$1,595

Studio, 1 Bath Condo for Rent

Available Now

1520 Senate St, Unit 11C

1520 Senate St
ColumbiaSC29201
property at 1600 Park Cir

$915 - $1,600

Studio To 2 Bedroom Rentals

Available Jul 6

1600 Park Cir

ColumbiaSC29201

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 2009 Greene St

$1,100 - $1,800

2 Bedroom Rentals

Available Now

2009 Greene St

ColumbiaSC29205
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Berry Building
Studio to 3 Bedroom Apartments

Berry Building

1600-1608 Main StColumbia, SC 29201
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Kress Building
Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments

Kress Building

1502 Main StColumbia, SC 29201
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Olympia Mills
1 to 4 Bedroom Apartments

Olympia Mills

600 Heyward StColumbia, SC 29201
Student Housing
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801 King St
2 Bedroom Apartments

801 King St

801 King StColumbia, SC 29205
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2411 Blossom St
Studio to 3 Bedroom Apartments

2411 Blossom St

2411 Blossom StColumbia, SC 29205
Student Housing
  • Utilities Included
property at 2002 Greene St

$1,200 - $1,300

2 Bedroom Rentals

Available Now

2002 Greene St

ColumbiaSC29205

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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Showing Results 1-50, Page 1 of 2

Downtown Columbia, Columbia, SC Local Guide

Cheapest Available Downtown Columbia Apartments for Rent

 

The cheapest available apartment rental in the Downtown Columbia area of Columbia, SC is a Studio unit found at Cornell Arms Apartments priced from $950. Hub Columbia has the second lowest priced unit, which is a 4 Beds apartment currently listed from $1,070. Here are the most affordable Downtown Columbia apartments for rent in Columbia, SC:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPriced From
Cornell Arms ApartmentsStudio One BedroomStudio,1BA$950
Hub Columbia4x34BR,3BA$1,070
The DylanD-80% income restricted studioStudio,1BA$1,075
1321 Lofts1 Bedroom 1 Bath1BR,1BA$1,113
Berry BuildingBarringer: 1 Bedroom1BR,1BA$1,128
Main Street LivingBarringer: 1 Bedroom1BR,1BA$1,128
The Palms on MainStudio1BR,1BA$1,207
The Land Bank Loft ApartmentsThe Balustrade1BR,1BA$1,269
ClaussensStudioStudio,1BA$1,275
Hampton House1 Bedroom without Balcony1BR,1BA$1,350

Best Value Apartments for Rent in Downtown Columbia, SC

As of June 14, 2026 the best value apartment in the Downtown Columbia area is the $1.93 price per square foot 3N Model at The Lady in the in the Waverly neighborhood starting from $3,700. The second greatest value Downtown Columbia apartment is the 4x4 Oasis Model at Hub Columbia starting at $1,300 with a $0.93 price per square foot in the Waverly neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for Downtown Columbia apartments based on price per square foot:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPrice Per Sq.Ft.
The Lady3N3BR,2BA$1.93
Hub Columbia4x4 Oasis4BR,4BA$0.93
The AssemblyC23BR,3BA$1.26
Tapp's BuildingTapps: 1 Bedroom1BR,1BA$1.36
Lofts at Lourie's2 bedroom 1 bath2BR,1BA$1.91
Kress BuildingKress: 1 Bedroom1BR,1BA$1.59
Main Street LivingBarringer: 1 Bedroom1BR,1BA$1.72
Hampton House1 Bedroom with Balcony1BR,1BA$2.23
Berry BuildingBarringer: 1 Bedroom1BR,1BA$1.88
2603 Kiawah Ave, Unit Kiawah Avenue2603 Kiawah Ave1BR,1BA$2.59

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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Pet Friendly Lifestyle
Downtown Columbia, Columbia, SC

Ranked #63

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

Pet Friendliness Lifestyle Score

2.5
Pet Friendly

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Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap Downtown Columbia Apartments

What is a cheap apartment in Downtown Columbia?

A cheap apartment is any apartment up to the 30% percentile of cost for the area, which in Downtown Columbia is under $1,350.

What is the price of a cheap apartment in Downtown Columbia?

The cheapest apartment in Downtown Columbia is 1321 Lofts which is listed at $1,113, while the average apartment in Downtown Columbia costs $3,200.

What types of apartments are the cheapest in Downtown 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 28 regular apartments in Downtown Columbia that we think qualify as ‘cheap apartments’ that do not have special requirements to apply to rent.

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 Local Experts Top 8: Affordable Columbia, SC Neighborhoods for Quality Living article

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.

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

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.

decorative image for Creative Ways Developers Reimagine Retail Spaces as Residential Units article

Creative Ways Developers Reimagine Retail Spaces as Residential Units

Written by: Robin Stewart

Adaptive reuse is when a commercial property is converted and repurposed. The real estate industry has embraced a growing number of these projects.