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

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. Living in any of these districts will shorten your commute (or walk) to many of Columbus's big employers. Home to major employers like hospitals, campuses, corporate offices, and government buildings, this vibrant Ohio city takes the stress out of finding an apartment close to where you work.

Current Rental Pricing for Apartments in Columbus

We've compiled a descriptive list of the most accessible employers in Columbus and their nearby neighborhoods, where people like yourself are looking for affordable, conveniently located places to rent.

The Ohio State University

Spanning 1,600 acres and housing approximately 60,000 students and staff, Ohio State University is often described by Columbus residents as a mini-city within a big city, with its own hospitals, stadiums, research labs, retail shops, and student/staff housing. Thousands of Ohio State employees commute daily, living in nearby neighborhoods that border the campus on all sides. OSU has a career portal for those interested in working as nurses, professors, education program consultants, clinical researchers, maintenance technicians, or one of many other open positions currently listed.

The University District

Comprised of large houses divided into flats, brick walk-up apartment buildings, and newer rentals on the same blocks, the University District flanks the campus, so you're never a pleasant walk or bike ride away from work. Side streets stay lively year-round, with students rushing to class, locals heading to nearby eateries, and residents walking dogs or gathering outside. Many rentals are located within a short stroll of coffee shops, pizza places, convenience stores, and bus stops.

On ApartmentHomeLiving.com, apartments for rent in the University District of Columbus, OH, range from small studios to shared apartments with several bedrooms. If you're looking for a place to live that's close to the OSU campus and don't mind a lot of people and event activities, check out The University District's diverse housing options.

Clintonville

Located in the north-central part of Columbus along North High Street, just north of Ohio State University, Clintonville is noted for its older homes from the early to mid-20th century, and bungalows from the 1910s and 1920s. North High Street features locally owned shops, cafés, and neighborhood eateries, such as Northstar Café. My favorite place to visit in the Clintonville community is the Whetstone Park of Roses, a rose garden within Whetstone Park that displays thousands of gorgeous rose bushes and beautifully landscaped paths.

Clintonville apartments near Ohio State University give you that in‑between option--close enough to enjoy a short commute, but insulated, more or less, from the noisiness of student nightlife. Explore this distinct rental market by browsing South Clintonville apartments for rent on ApartmentHomeLiving.com.

North Columbus

A few miles from OSU lies North Columbus, a sprawling suburban area close to Worthington, Polaris, and the outskirts of Westerville. The place to visit when you're in North Columbus is the Polaris Fashion Place, a famous central Ohio shopping hub offering everything from real books at Barnes & Noble, comic books and collectibles at Collector Supreme, clothes from Macy's, and every type of ethnic cuisine you could crave. You could spend three days just browsing all the stores at Polaris.

North Columbus apartments for rent offer plenty of living choices for OSU employees, from larger complexes to studio apartments to one-bedroom homes. Many renters prefer North Columbus apartments near Ohio State University because they are affordable, conveniently located for doing everyday errands, and within five to 15 miles of OSU.

Nationwide Insurance

Nationwide's main office is located at Plaza One, at the intersection of N. High St. and Nationwide Blvd. in the heart of Columbus's downtown Arena District. Nationwide helped spearhead the development of this nifty entertainment district, which offers plenty of fun activities, including sports facilities, dining options, bars, hotels, and the Nationwide Arena, home to the Columbus Blue Jackets hockey team.

Nationwide Insurance consistently attracts recent college graduates seeking dependable, well-paying employment. Nearby neighborhoods like Short North and Italian Village offer a variety of apartment styles and price ranges for Nationwide employees.

Near East Side

The Near East Side extends just beyond downtown Columbus and is just a short hop from the central business. Neighborhoods here feature older homes with front porches, historic buildings converted into apartments, and newer communities built on infill lots. It’s an attractive place to live if you want a small-town feel, trees in your backyard, and have no desire to endure a long commute to Nationwide.

Near East Side apartments for rent in Columbus, OH, put you close to major streets that lead directly to Nationwide Plaza. On ApartmentHomeLiving.com, you’ll see small buildings with just a few units alongside larger properties with extras like on‑site parking and shared outdoor space.

Short North 

Just north of downtown, the Short North and the broader North Columbus area give renters a lively mix of art galleries, unique restaurants, and excellent housing options. High Street runs directly between these neighborhoods and the core, so many Nationwide employees commute by car, bus, or even scooter, skipping freeway traffic altogether.

Apartments in North Columbus range from older walk-up buildings to more recent mid-rise developments. If you're searching for Short North Columbus apartments for rent in Columbus, OH, ApartmentHomeLiving.com makes it easier to narrow down choices by price and proximity to Nationwide Insurance.

West Columbus

Wedged between downtown and Columbus's western suburbs, West Columbus apartments for rent attract Nationwide Insurance employees who want more breathing room without straying too far from the city center. The West Columbus neighborhood of Franklinton is one of the city's oldest, but it still retains a turn-of-the-century atmosphere, with repurposed buildings and the Land‑Grant Brewing Company, one of Columbus’s best-known craft breweries.

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

JPMorgan Chase on Polaris Parkway in Columbus employs thousands of people in technology, operations, and administrative roles. Many JPMorgan Chase employees live in nearby neighborhoods such as Westerville, Worthington, and the Polaris corridor. If you're in the area during the morning, you'll find commuters stopping for coffee at local cafés and later, dining at one of the dozens of restaurants spread throughout the neighborhoods. Although a little pricey, the Kitchen Social restaurant near Polaris serves the most delicious cheddar-and-scallion biscuits I've ever had.

North Columbus

Living in North Columbus puts you just south of the Polaris shopping and office district, near the busy intersection of Interstate 71 and Polaris Parkway. Apartment communities here range from garden-style complexes to smaller buildings on side streets. Shops, restaurants, and entertainment at Polaris Fashion Place and Gemini Place are just minutes away. You can also take a short drive to Westerville or Lewis Center for more dining, retail, and nightlife options.

On ApartmentHomeLiving.com, you'll find North Columbus apartments near JPMorgan Chase with commute times of less than 15 to 20 minutes.

Clintonville

Clintonville runs along High Street just north of OSU, putting Downtown Columbus and the northern suburbs a short drive away in either direction. If farm-to-table dining appeals to your lifestyle and taste buds, check out Harvest Pizzeria and make sure you try their pineapple pizza with fresh pineapple and tasty Canadian bacon..

For live music, Ace of Cups books local and touring acts most nights of the week, and Dick's Den, one of many hidden gems in Columbus, is a dark, energetic jazz and bluegrass club with a stage that practically sits atop the bar. Dick's Den isn't near OSU, either, so you don't have to worry about college kids swamping it on the weekends.

If your future includes a job at JPMorgan Chase, start browsing South Clintonville apartments for rent today to find your next home in Columbus, OH.

OhioHealth

As one of the largest not-for-profit healthcare systems in Ohio, OhioHealth operates numerous hospitals, clinics, and medical specialty centers across the state. Its two biggest Columbus campuses sit at opposite ends of the city: Riverside Methodist, a teaching hospital on Olentangy River Road on the north central side of Columbus, is OhioHealth's flagship facility. Grant Medical Center, located at 111 South Grant Avenue, is the only hospital in the downtown area offering comprehensive adult medical services and is also one of Ohio's busiest Level I Trauma Centers in Ohio.

Near East Side

Walking the Near East Side almost feels like you've stepped back in time. Queen Anne, Italianate, Victorian, and Craftsman homes dating back to the 1830s line the streets alongside converted multi-unit buildings and newer infill development, all within a mile of Grant Medical Center just east of downtown.

ApartmentHomeLiving.com makes it easy to find Near East Side apartments in Columbus close to OhioHealth facilities. You can sort by proximity to Grant or other OhioHealth locations and set the price to accommodate your budget.

Wexner Medical Center

The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center operates on Ohio State’s main campus in Columbus and includes seven hospitals: University Hospital, James Cancer Hospital, Ross Heart Hospital, Harding Hospital, Dodd Rehabilitation Hospital, an inpatient rehabilitation hospital, and a brain and spine hospital. With over 20,000 employees and growing, Wexner Medical Center continues to expand by offering positions across virtually all areas of the health care field. Currently, Ohio State is building a major new inpatient hospital tower scheduled to open later this decade.

University District

University District rentals in the zip code regions of 43201, 43202, 43210, and 43212 attract OSU medical students, residents, nurses, hospital staff, and general OSU students. You'll find older homes rehabbed into apartments, as well as newer complexes suited to campus and hospital life. Wexner Medical Center sits right within University District boundaries on OSU's main campus at 410 W 10th Ave. Central and east rentals like The King Apartments on N High St and King Ave, 1764 N High St, 133 W 10th Ave, and 222 King Ave lie a short 2-12 minute walk away via campus paths.

Searching for University District Apartments near Wexner Medical Center has never been easier using our valuable filtering tools.

Intel Inc./Ohio One

Intel Inc. announced in January 2022 that it would build a major semiconductor manufacturing campus called Ohio One in New Albany, just northeast of Columbus in Licking County. Ohio One is the largest private-sector investment in Ohio's history, spanning nearly 1,000 acres and supporting two leading-edge chip factories.

Located in New Albany, northeast of Columbus, near State Route 161 and U.S. Route 62, Ohio One employs engineers, technicians, and operations staff in the North Columbus area, bolstered by Intel's $100 million in local education partnerships for workforce training. As of early 2026, construction continues to hum, with over 6 million worker hours logged on Intel's website.

North Columbus

North Columbus apartments sit 15–25 minutes' drive (20–25 miles) from Intel's Ohio One semiconductor plant northeast of Columbus off U.S. Route 62. Areas like Polaris and Worthington offer the shortest commutes via I-270 or I-71, typically 15–18 minutes in normal traffic. Rentals farther west near Sawmill Road push closer to 25 minutes.

North Columbus stretches around Polaris Fashion Place mall at 1500 Polaris Parkway, where you can spend all day browsing Macy's, Barnes & Noble, and dozens of other neat stores. Low-rise garden apartments and townhomes populate the area near the I-71 exits and I-270 ramps. Specifically, I-71 has Exit 121 (Polaris Parkway) plus nearby Exit 119 (Gemini Place), while I-270 offers ramps at Exits 29A/B (I-71/I-270 interchange) and Exit 30 (Polaris Parkway).

Check out North Columbus apartments near Intel to find the latest listings and pricing.