Homes for Rent in Columbia, SC (507 Rentals)

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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 565 Ludlow Ln

565 Ludlow Ln

ColumbiaSC29229
property at 2516 Richland St

2516 Richland St

ColumbiaSC29204

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 1518 Henderson St

1518 Henderson St

ColumbiaSC29201

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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How a Move-In Inspection Can Protect Your Security Deposit

Learn How a Move-In Inspection Can Protect Your Security Deposit from the Renter University at AparmentHomeLiving.com.

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Columbia, SC Local Guide

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Written By:
Bobbi Jackson
Local Guide Expert

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Columbia Overview

Columbia, South Carolina is America’s best kept secret. The delightful alternative to living in urban density is a secret that residents of Columbia, South Carolina know. The pace and personality of this small town of just over 136,600 people is what you’d expect in a state capital this size — lively and lovely, friendly and fun, creative and, yes, cute. The beautiful traditional southern architecture is juxtaposed with one of the world’s most stunning modern city skylines. You may wonder how a city this size has high-rise buildings. It’s the state capital and the county seat. So, everything requiring offices happens here. For professional roles and administrative work, this is the southeastern sweet spot. Residents choosing Columbia rental homes enjoy abundant job opportunities, nightlife, and friendly neighborhoods, surrounded by the country’s lushest green forests and immense lakes, all a short trip from the beach. 

What is the history of Columbia?

The story of Columbia, South Carolina is about the birth and rebirth of the nation. Columbia’s history is a microcosm of the evolution of American civilization as it has played out in so many pivotal changes throughout the generations. The area was first explored by Spaniard Hernando de Soto in 1540. As many as 20,000 Cherokee, Creek, and other tribespeople lived in the area through the following century. Columbia became the state capital in 1786, replacing Charleston. From the town’s role as a Civil War transportation hub and base for southern agencies to its place today as a critical regional economic and academic center, it’s quite a story. After two decades of strong growth, by the late 1860s, Columbia was the largest inland city in the Carolinas. Cotton was the town’s major cash crop. In 1865, during the war, the town was extensively burned. Industrial development took hold in the 1890s and the world’s first electrically powered textile mill began operating in Columbia. 

How is the weather in Columbia?

For a mid-Atlantic coastal area, the weather in Columbia is relatively stable.  Expect a lot of warm, clear days through the Columbia summers, and cool to moderately cold winter nights. In January, average high temperatures are a comfortable 58° and lows are around 36°. The area averages about 7 rain days for that month and sees some winter days in the 70°s. In July, the averages include a high of around 95°, a low of about a perfect 72°, and about 9 rainy days. Evenings are usually comfortable year-round. The area receives about 45 inches of rain per year, which brings welcome cool-downs in hot months. Snow is rare, even in the coldest periods. Temperatures don’t often drop below 23°F or exceed 98°F. So, there are palm trees growing around Columbia and rarely sighted but still real alligators in some local rivers and creeks. Humidity is often high in hot months. That’s what it is to be in a subtropical zone, as is Columbia. Hence the palm trees and gators.

How do I get around town?

Columbia, SC is an eastern transportation hub, so they’ve figured it all out for you. There are lots of metro transportation options in Columbia, SC. It’s a long-established eastern town, so there’s little undiscovered need in this regard. The COMET is the city’s public bus system. You are encouraged to spot one of the neon-painted buses and “Catch the COMET.” The buses run 7 days per week, other than Thanksgiving or Christmas. You can even track the COMET with the city’s app. Lyft and Uber are offered, and Kola Kruze provides a ridesharing alternative for students. Bike-sharing programs and car rentals are available. Columbia is walkable, and numerous must-see attractions are within walking distance of each other. The Columbia Metropolitan Airport is served by American, United, and Delta with nonstop flights to popular destinations.

What is the Columbia commute like?

Columbia is a small city with a thorough urban commuter transportation structure. The bulk of daily traffic in Columbia metro depends on city access via I77, I20, and I26, supported by alternative State Routes Hwy 321 and Hwy 378. The commute time for Columbia averages just 15 minutes. That’s under half of the national average. There can be rush-hour congestion, mostly around the 8 area college campuses. Columbia's public transportation system includes the COMET bus lines, which features the Soda Cap Connector, connecting to attractions for just $1. You can buy COMET bus passes online. There are plenty of parking garages and streetside parking spaces downtown. Several airports serve Columbia, including the Columbia Metropolitan Airport in West Columbia, with all the major airlines routing to it.

Why live in Columbia, SC?

Beautiful Columbia is the academic and economic engine for growth in South Carolina. Columbia is both the SC state capital and Richmond County seat. So, if your passion is in government service, welcome to paradise. Maybe it’s due to all the competence and bustling efforts to get important things done here, or maybe it’s just an effect of living under palm trees, but few places give a greater sense of a good and stable lifestyle than this energetic and productive little southeastern city. Perhaps it’s because there are no less than 8 colleges in the vicinity. The University of South Carolina, here in Columbia, is ranked #1 nationally by U.S. News & World Report for International Business studies. Columbia has led the state in traversing the eons of social, political, and economic development. Anyway, there’s something comforting about being in the academic, civic, and economic cradle of this great US region. 

What Columbia landmarks should I see?

Historical Columbia, the seat of leadership, is the gateway from the Old South to the New Age. Among Columbia’s vast trove of historical monuments and buildings are the Modjeska Monteith Simkins House, Mann-Simons Site, South Carolina Statehouse, and the Robert Mills House, (circa 1823) a museum in a mansion surrounded by beautiful gardens. These are just a few. Other sites popular with visitors include the Revival building, framed by colorful gardens displaying monuments throughout. The Riverbanks Botanical Gardens must not be missed. Be sure to tour the city’s diverse classic and modern creative collections at the Columbia Museum of Art. The South Carolina State Museum, at the site of the world’s first electrically operated textile mill, offers a fascinating journey into a key phase of the region’s industrial, economic, and social development.

What is there to do around Columbia?

Columbia SC is the fun hub of the Carolinas. The award-winning EdVenture Children's Museum takes visitors through a massive venue for interactive exploration. In addition to all the indoor attractions mentioned above and many others, there are lots of outdoor things to do in and around Columbia. Stroll through the Riverbanks Garden, hang out at the Columbia Canal and Riverfront Park. Venture along the banks of the Congaree River and through the Congaree National Park. Spectacular Lake Murray is just minutes away from Columbia. You can’t run out of either exciting or relaxing options there. Take the short road trip (1 hr 50 min) to Charleston — the charm capital of the country. When you’re settled and ready for a mini-vacation, it’s just 7 hours to Washington, D.C. It’s well worth the trip. Gatlinburg, TN is just a few hours west, and, of course, Atlanta is only 3 hours away. There’s so much to see and do in any direction from Columbia, you can have a unique adventure daily, time permitting, of course.

Where is the best place to move in Columbia?

Pick your lifestyle and live it fully here at the heart of the modern American southeast. Near downtown, the Shandon historic neighborhood offers pretty restored homes on tree-lined streets and various housing types. It’s popular with professionals and families. Cayce is a popular option. It’s on the Congaree River just a few minutes from downtown Columbia. For a quiet family neighborhood, Forest Acres is one to explore. It offers good schools, abundant amenities, shopping, restaurants, and farmers' markets. The Lexington neighborhood, also near downtown, feels like its own small town, with smaller residential enclaves, a range of housing types, nearby employers, fun activity centers, and more. Another popular area near downtown is Arsenal Hill, which, like Shandon, offers a variety of options in Columbia rental homes, including modern apartments and condos as well as historic homes. It offers quick access to city attractions and features Finlay Park and other nice public green spaces. Irmo and Ballentine are highly sought adjacent neighborhoods between Columbia proper and Lake Murray. Chapin is on the lake and is a popular neighborhood. It has good schools and new housing developments underway. 

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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Columbia, SC Area Reviews

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Gwendolyn • 2+ years in Columbia

February 25, 2025

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Frequently Asked Questions about Columbia

What type of rentals are currently available in Columbia?

There are currently 607 Apartments for Rent in Columbia, SC with pricing that ranges from $569 to $27,810. There are also 505 Single Family Homes for rent, Condos, and Townhome rentals currently available in Columbia ranging from $795 to $6,600.

What is the current price range for Rental Homes in Columbia?

Today's rental pricing for Homes for Rent, Condos and Townhomes in Columbia ranges from $795 to $6,600 with an average monthly rent of $2,232.

How much are larger Three and Four Bedroom Rentals in Columbia?

For those who are looking for larger living arrangements, Three Bedroom Apartments in Columbia range from $629 to $7,624, while Three Bedroom Homes, Condos, and Townhomes for rent range from $1,050 to $3,500. Four Bedroom Single-Family rentals are also available starting from $1,100 and Four Bedroom Apartments start at $569.

Expert Rental Resources

Helpful Apartment Articles, How-To's and Tips

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.

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Roommate Matching: Finding the Right Fit and Avoiding Pitfalls

Written by: Cheryl Bowman

A fantastic way to save money and enjoy a built-in community is to share an apartment. However, a bad roommate situation can turn your dream rental into a nightmare.

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The Art of the Rental Viewing: What to look for during a property tour

Written by: Marie Brown

You’ve scrolled through countless listings, walked through a blur of rentals, and finally found what feels like the one. The pictures? Fantastic. The neighborhood seems just right.

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Know Your Budget: Calculating What You Can Realistically Afford When Renting

Written by: Lauren Harrington

Renting an apartment or house isn’t just about looking through online ads, choosing a few apartments or homes you want to tour, filling out an application, and putting down a deposit. Those things are all necessary and important.

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The Freedom of Short-Term Leases: Exploring the Advantages for Renters

Written by: Bobbi Jackson

If you’re looking to relocate right now, a popular solution that may best fit your current rental needs is a short-term lease.