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City Report · GA

Columbus

Pop. 203,711·129th most expensive in Georgia·Columbus rents are up 6.7% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$1,275/mo
Year-over-Year
+6.7%
Month-over-Month
+1.3%
vs US Median
-$690
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Columbus · $1,275
More affordable than 89% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Rent Reality Score
52/100
Fairly priced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are right about where Columbus's 10-year trend predicts.

Actual rent
$1,275/mo
Expected by trend
$1,287/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Columbus's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$885
1 BR
$940
2 BR
$1,103
3 BR
$1,463
4 BR+
$1,810
Research median
$1,103/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$15,300/yr
At $1,275/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 6.7% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+6.7% YoY, +1.3% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Columbus, GA is roughly split between renters and owners, has a median income below the national average, 30.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
203,711
Median income
$58,073
Median age
35.4
Renters
49.2%
Age distribution
24.9%
24.6%
24.5%
14.8%
Under 1824.9%
18–3424.6%
35–5424.5%
55–6411.3%
65+14.8%
Gender
48.1%
51.9%
Male48.1%
Female51.9%
Race & ethnicity
38.1%
47%
White38.1%
Black47%
Hispanic8.5%
Asian2.7%
Other3.7%
Education (25+)
27.3%
31.7%
30.5%
No HS diploma10.5%
HS diploma27.3%
Some college31.7%
Bachelor's+30.5%
Housing tenure
50.8%
49.2%
Owner50.8%
Renter49.2%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Columbus, GA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$941 → $1,275
up 35.5%
Income
$50,542 → $58,073
up 14.9%
Population
204,366 → 203,711
down 0.3%
Renter share
51.5% → 49.2%
-2.3 pts
Bachelor's+
27.6% → 30.5%
+2.9 pts
Median age
34.6 → 35.4
+0.8 yrs

Since 2021, the typical rent in Columbus, GA has increased from $941 to $1,275, a 35.5% change over five years. Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $50,542 in 2021 to $58,073 more recently. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. Renters now make up 49.2% of households, compared with 51.5% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 30.5% of adults here, versus 27.6% in 2021. These shifts give renters and would-be renters a longer baseline for sizing up today's listings against the Columbus, GA market of 2021.

Community

Discussions about Columbus

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View Columbus rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Columbus on your salary?

At $1,275/mo, how Columbus rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Columbus rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Columbus. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Columbus

About renting in Columbus, GA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Columbus is $1,275/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $885/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,103/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $940/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,463/mo.

At 26% of local median household income ($58,073/yr), Columbus ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 6.7% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Columbus an affordable city for renters?

Columbus is considered affordable for renters. At $1,275/mo, rent takes approximately 26% of the local median household income ($58,073/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Columbus falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Columbus?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $51,000/year (~$25/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,275/mo in Columbus. The local median household income is $58,073/yr, meaning the typical Columbus household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Columbus?

Rent in Columbus has increased 6.7% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Columbus neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Columbus are 31903 ($944/mo), 31906 ($1,067/mo), and 31901 ($1,182/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Columbus is $1,275/mo.

How does Columbus rent compare to other cities in Georgia?

Columbus is one of the more affordable cities in Georgia for rent, ranking #129 out of 135 tracked cities at $1,275/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Columbus?

Americus is nearby and more affordable at $958/mo, which is $317 less than Columbus.

What percentage of Columbus residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 49.2% of Columbus households are renters, while 50.8% are owner-occupied. Columbus leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Columbus rent compare to the national average?

Columbus's median rent of $1,275/mo is $690 (35%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Georgia, it ranks #129 out of 135 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
26%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,275/mo, rent takes ~26% of Columbus's median household income ($58,073/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Columbus 26%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.99%
Run the Columbus affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Columbus, GA

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