Cheap Apartments for Rent in Columbus, OH from $300 (1,533 Rentals)

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Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in Columbus.

Where to Rent in Columbus: Mapping Major Employers to Affordable Neighborhoods

Find your next budget-friendly apartment in Columbus, OH. Discover neighborhoods like Clintonville and Near East Side, offering short commutes and a great renter lifestyle near major job centers.

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property at 415 Nace Ave

$700

1 Bedroom Rentals

Available Now

415 Nace Ave

ColumbusOH43223

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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Welcome to Columbus: An Insider's Guide to Ohio's Best-Kept Secret

Discover Columbus, OH, a city of attractive urban vitality and affordable living. Get the insider scoop on nightlife, arts, parks, and low rental prices from a local expert.

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Columbus's Best Affordable Neighborhoods

Learn about Columbus and the best places to live with original content written by our Columbus, OH Local Expert Kim Mooneyham

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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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Columbus, OH Local Guide

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Written By:
Justin Habersaat
Editing Staff

Cheapest Neighborhoods for Apartments in Columbus, OH

Pricing Updated: 08/14/2026

Current apartment rentals in the Columbus, OH area range in price from $300 to $16,324 with an overall median price of $1,477. The three Columbus neighborhoods with the lowest median rent pricing are Walnut Ridge at $851, Linden at $1,012, and Eastland at $1,025. Here is today’s list of the top 10 neighborhoods with the lowest median pricing for Columbus Apartments for rent:

NeighborhoodMedian PriceMin PriceAvailable Units
Walnut Ridge$851$69942
Linden$1,012$77518
Eastland$1,025$62594
Valley View$1,025$80024
West Columbus$1,049$7997
Driving Park$1,050$85083
South of Main$1,050$76438
Brookshire$1,065$40168
Westgate$1,074$85012
South Central Hilltop$1,085$40178

Cheapest Available Columbus Apartments for Rent

 

The cheapest available apartment rental in Columbus, OH is a 2 Beds unit found at Nazareth Towers-62 & Older in the Discovery District neighborhood priced from $300. Starling Yard in the Franklinton neighborhood has the second lowest priced unit, which is a 1 Bed apartment currently listed from $401. Here is today’s list of the most affordable Columbus apartments for rent:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPriced From
Nazareth Towers-62 & OlderStudio2BR,1BA$300
Starling Yard1 bdr1BR,1BA$401
Belmont ApartmentsStudent RoomStudio,1BA$450
Wheatland Crossing II2 Bedroom Apartment2BR,1BA$506
Alpine Village1 X 21BR,1BA$675
Villages at Eden CrossingNook1BR,1BA$699
National Road ApartmentsOne Bed1BR,1BA$699
Abbey Lane1 Bedroom1BR,1BA$715
Mason RunMasr 0AStudio,1BA$715
The Retreat at Walnut Creek1 Bed 1 Bath Premium1BR,1BA$733

Best Value Apartments for Rent in Columbus, OH

As of August 14, 2026 the best value apartment in the Columbus area is the $0.87 price per square foot Maple Model at McNaughten Woods Townhomes in the in the Greenbriar Farm neighborhood starting from $1,780. The second greatest value Columbus apartment is the 2BR/1.0BA Model at 1350 ACM starting at $1,450 with a $0.81 price per square foot in the Flytown neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for Columbus apartments based on price per square foot:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPrice Per Sq.Ft.
McNaughten Woods TownhomesMaple2BR,2.5BA$0.87
1350 ACM2BR/1.0BA2BR,1BA$0.81
Crosscreek Apartments and Townhomes2 bed2BR,1.5BA$0.59
Maple Valley ApartmentsWater/Sewer/Trash Included2BR,1BA$0.90
90 W 8th Ave3 Beds, 2 Baths3BR,2BA$0.63
Starling Yard2 bdr2BR,1BA$0.79
Northern Court Apartments2BR/1.0BA2BR,1BA$0.90
Wheatland Crossing II2 Bedroom Apartment2BR,1BA$0.55
George's Creek Apartments2 Beds, 1 bath2BR,1BA$0.89
Nazareth Towers-62 & OlderStudioStudio ,1BA$0.67

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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Columbus Overview

Columbus, the Ohio state capital, falls within the top 20 largest cities in the entire United States in terms of population. This dynamic town is full of Midwestern down-to-earth, friendly people, who often make locals feel welcomed and treated like family. Life in Columbus apartments also offer residents an engaged community full of fun alongside interesting places to eat, shop, and to enjoy the arts or a night on the town. In addition, Columbus is home to THE Ohio State University, which draws students from all over the country to this Midwest hub of energy.

Why live in Columbus, OH?

There's a lot to love about Columbus. It's got a thriving economy and great neighborhoods like the German Village, Merion Village, and the Arena District. From the artsy, hip culture of the Short North district, to the sports and entertainment vibe in the Arena District, there is a little something for everyone here. For college sports fans, Ohio State University serves up great football and basketball. Add in a low cost of living, and those looking for apartments in Columbus have found a true gem of a city.

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

Explore Columbus, OH Rentals by Map

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See the most popular apartments and homes in Columbus, OH

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Columbus, OH Area Reviews

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Kim

March 15, 2026

Great place to attend college and find a job afterward.

Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap Columbus Apartments

What is a cheap apartment in Columbus?

A cheap apartment is any apartment up to the 30% percentile of cost for the area, which in Columbus is under $733.

What is the price of a cheap apartment in Columbus?

The cheapest apartment in Columbus is Nazareth Towers-62 & Older which is listed at $300, while the average apartment in Columbus costs $1,477.

What types of apartments are the cheapest in Columbus?

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 3,285 regular apartments in Columbus 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 Columbus?

Cheap apartments in Columbus have an average cost of $390 which is $1,087 cheaper than the average rent for all rentals in Columbus.

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.

Helpful Local Expert Guides

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Where to Rent in Columbus: Mapping Major Employers to Affordable Neighborhoods

Written by: Kim Mooneyham

Ask Columbus workers where they live, and you’ll hear the same neighborhood names: University District, Clintonville, Near East Side, North Columbus, and West Columbus.

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Welcome to Columbus: An Insider's Guide to Ohios Best-Kept Secret

Written by: Kim Mooneyham

Visitors to Columbus, OH, won't admit it at first, but they secretly expect this Midwestern capital to resemble a sprawling version of Mayberry from the old Andy Griffith show. I'm serious.

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The Ultimate Local Expert's Guide To Top Columbus, OH Neighborhoods for College and University Student Renters

Written by: Kim Mooneyham

Columbus, OH, artfully blends a laid-back Midwest personality with the excitement of urban living and the spirited atmosphere of student life.

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The 10 Best Affordable Neighborhoods in Columbus, OH

Written by: Kim Mooneyham

Although Columbus, Ohio, has a reputation for being a rowdy college town, it's large enough to offer numerous neighborhoods far away from frat houses and street parties after football games.

Articles, How-To's, and Tips

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Rent According to Income: A Look at Income-Restricted Rentals

Written by: Robin Stewart

The idea of affordable housing can be subjective. Every individual is in a different place financially and vocationally. What one may easily afford could be a struggle for someone else.

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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.