Cheap Apartments for Rent in Columbus, OH from $300 (1,324 Rentals)

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

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 207 E Lane Ave

207 E Lane Ave

ColumbusOH43201

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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Columbus, OH Local Guide

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Written By:
Justin Habersaat
Editing Staff

Cheapest Neighborhoods for Apartments in Columbus, OH

Pricing Updated: 06/18/2025

Current apartment rentals in the Columbus, OH area range in price from $300 to $11,980 with an overall median price of $2,905. The three Columbus neighborhoods with the lowest median rent pricing are Forest Park West at $650, Alum Creek Village at $625, and Abby Trails at $739. Here is today’s list of the top 10 neighborhoods with the lowest median pricing for Columbus Apartments for rent:

NeighborhoodMedian PriceMin PriceAvailable Units
Forest Park West$1,359$65066
Alum Creek Village$1,565$62560
Abby Trails$1,584$739103
Briggsdale$1,585$73931
Livingston Park North$1,600$8945
Woods at Rose Run$1,650$95057
Linwood$1,667$625128
Northern Woods$1,685$65050
Northgate$1,685$65068
Northern Woods$1,685$65047

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$425
Wendler Commons2 Bedroom2BR,1BA$429
Wheatland Crossing II2 Bedroom Apartment2BR,1BA$450
Atcheson Place LoftsTwo Bedroom2BR,1BA$506
Winchester OaksStudioStudio,1BA$665
Alpine Village1 X 21BR,1BA$675
Broad Meadows Manor1 bedroom1BR,1BA$695
Lake Eden Apartments & TownhomesOntario (All-Electric)1BR,1BA$699

Best Value Apartments for Rent in Columbus, OH

As of June 18, 2025 the best value apartment in the Columbus area is the $0.85 price per square foot 4BR/2.0BA Model at 414-416 E. Whittier St in the in the Downtown Columbus neighborhood starting from $2,800. The second greatest value Columbus apartment is the 6 Bedroom - 2 Bathroom Model at 681 College Avenue starting at $700 with a $0.38 price per square foot in the Woodland Park 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.
414-416 E. Whittier St4BR/2.0BA4BR,2BA$0.85
681 College Avenue6 Bedroom - 2 Bathroom6BR,2.5BA$0.38
Crosscreek Apartments and Townhomes2 bed2BR,1.5BA$0.46
Northern Place Townhomes2 BDRM2BR,1.5BA$0.77
Central Square ApartmentsBirch Townhome2BR,1.5BA$0.77
One Short NorthOne Bed1BR,1BA$0.73
Fairwood Commons2 Bedroom2BR,1BA$0.87
Ravine Flats at Iuka2 Bedroom2BR,1BA$0.87
Atcheson Place LoftsTwo Bedroom2BR,1BA$0.53
Nazareth Towers-62 & OlderStudioStudio ,1BA$0.67

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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.

Pet Friendly Lifestyle
Columbus, OH

Ranked #2

Among cities in Ohio for Apartment listings with Pet Friendly Amenities

Pet Friendliness Lifestyle Score

3.5
Pet Friendly

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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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Getting Around Columbus, OH

Walk Score®

59 / 100

Somewhat Walkable

Some errands can be accomplished on foot

Bike Score®

57 / 100

Bikeable

Some bike infrastructure

Transit Score®

34 / 100

Some Transit

A few nearby public transportation options

What Are Walk Score®, Transit Score®, and Bike Score® Ratings?

  • Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address.
  • Transit Score® measures access to public transit.
  • Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.

Columbus, OH Area Reviews

  • Parks
  • Entertainment
  • Local Vibes
  • Restaurants
  • Location
  • Traffic
  • Public Transportation
  • Outdoor Access
  • Cost of Living
  • Safety

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 $699.

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 $2,905.

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 2,010 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 $319 which is $2,586 cheaper than the average rent for all rentals in Columbus.

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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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.

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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.