1825 Saint Julian Pl, Unit 5E, Unit 5E
1825 Saint Julian Pl
ColumbiaSC29204
Homes for Rent in Columbia, SC (626 Rentals)
900 Taylor St, Unit #212, Unit #212
900 Taylor St
ColumbiaSC29201
1221 Pickens St
ColumbiaSC29201
1929 Bluff Rd, Unit 186, Unit 186
1929 Bluff Rd
ColumbiaSC29201
629 Kentucky St, Unit B, Unit B
629 Kentucky St
ColumbiaSC29201
2444 Washington St, Unit 2444, Unit 2444
2444 Washington St
ColumbiaSC29204
3600 Chateau Dr, Unit 224, Unit 224
3600 Chateau Dr
ColumbiaSC29204
162 Crestland Dr
ColumbiaSC29210
3730 Hickory St
ColumbiaSC29205
301 W Lakeside Ave
ColumbiaSC29203
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.
4704 Palm Tree Ln
ColumbiaSC29210
724 Pembroke Ave
ColumbiaSC29205
1085 Shop Rd, Unit 423, Unit 423
1085 Shop Rd
ColumbiaSC29201
842 Delverton Rd
ColumbiaSC29203
205 N Trace Ln
ColumbiaSC29223
3718 Live Oak St
ColumbiaSC29205
3924 Bright Ave
ColumbiaSC29205
220 Eascott Pl, Unit 200, Unit 200
220 Eascott Pl
ColumbiaSC29229
4407 Woodside Haven Dr
ColumbiaSC29206
1203 Woodrow St
ColumbiaSC29205
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.
123 S Pickens St, Unit 123 S. Pickens St., Unit 123 S. Pickens St.
123 S Pickens St
ColumbiaSC29205
133 Harden St
ColumbiaSC29205
2214 Wallace St
ColumbiaSC29201
804 Woodrow St
ColumbiaSC29205
717 Laurens Street
ColumbiaSC29201
312 S Woodrow St
ColumbiaSC29205
2518 Laurel St
ColumbiaSC29204
2516 Richland St
ColumbiaSC29204
317 Jaybird Ln
ColumbiaSC29223
225 Whitehurst Way
ColumbiaSC29229
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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$1,416Studio Apartments Available Now
Furnished Studio-Columbia - West - Interstate 126
450 Gracern RdColumbia, SC 29210
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$1,499Studio Apartments Available Now
Furnished Studio-Columbia - West - Stoneridge Dr.
180 Stoneridge DrColumbia, SC 29210
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$2,249Studio Apartments Available Now
Furnished Studio-Columbia - Ft. Jackson
5430 Forest DrColumbia, SC 29206
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$1,1502 Bedroom Apartments Available Now
314 Menlo Dr, Unit 314
314 Menlo DrColumbia, SC 29210
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$1,3752 Bedroom Apartments Available Now
11 Canterbury Ct, Unit 11B Canterbury ct
11 Canterbury CtColumbia, SC 29210
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$2,0854 Bedroom Apartments Available May 9
1051 Southern Dr, Unit SI ID1356308P
1051 Southern DrColumbia, SC 29201
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$1,7202 Bedroom Apartments Available Jun 1
1051 Southern Dr, Unit SI ID1356290P
1051 Southern DrColumbia, SC 29201
331 Crooked Pne Ct, Unit 500PRB
331 Crooked Pne Ct
ColumbiaSC29209
304 Crooked Pne Ct, Unit 109BR
304 Crooked Pne Ct
ColumbiaSC29209
509 Blue Duck Ln
ColumbiaSC29210
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.
223 Winding Chestnut Dr
ColumbiaSC29212
608 Muller Ave
ColumbiaSC29203
1525 Atlantic Dr
ColumbiaSC29210
539 Duck Creek Ln
ColumbiaSC29210
105 Old Stone Rd
ColumbiaSC29229
1908 St Louis Ave
ColumbiaSC29204
2945 Eastway Dr
ColumbiaSC29209
2705 Prince Charles Ct
ColumbiaSC29209
608 Cottontail Ct N
ColumbiaSC29229
1106 Page St
ColumbiaSC29205
Columbia, SC Local Guide
How much does it cost to rent a home in Columbia?
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia 2 Bedroom Homes for Rent | $1,432 | $725 | $3,450 |
| Columbia 3 Bedroom Homes for Rent | $1,982 | $1,005 | $10,000+ |
| Columbia 4 Bedroom Homes for Rent | $2,399 | $1,125 | $6,500 |
| Columbia 5 Bedroom Homes for Rent | $2,962 | $715 | $5,000 |
| Columbia 6 Bedroom Homes for Rent | $5,512 | $2,500 | $8,500 |
Note: Properties with the Total Monthly Price badge include all required fees. Hover over the badge for details.
Browse Top Homes for Rent in Columbia
Explore Columbia
Columbia, SC Local Guide
Written By:
Bobbi JacksonLocal Guide Expert
- Columbia Neighborhoods
- Nearby Cities
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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.
Read ArticleThe 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.
Read ArticleCash 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.
Read ArticleHow 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.
Read ArticleQuick 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.
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.
Remember the 3 Rules of Real Estate:Location, Location, Location!
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Columbia, SC Area Reviews
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Kama • 2+ years in Columbia
December 15, 2025Great for young professionals and families. We love Segra Park, the Harbison walking trails, and Lake Murray.
Gwendolyn • 2+ years in Columbia
February 25, 2025I found your advertisement online. Please get in touch with me.
Frequently Asked Questions about Columbia
What type of rentals are currently available in Columbia?
There are currently 628 Apartments for Rent in Columbia, SC with pricing that ranges from $401 to $5,169. There are also 618 Single Family Homes for rent, Condos, and Townhome rentals currently available in Columbia ranging from $700 to $35,000.
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 $700 to $35,000 with an average monthly rent of $2,176.
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 $650 to $5,169, while Three Bedroom Homes, Condos, and Townhomes for rent range from $1,005 to $35,000. Four Bedroom Single-Family rentals are also available starting from $1,125 and Four Bedroom Apartments start at $535.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.