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City Report · IN

Columbia City

Pop. 9,897·61st most expensive in Indiana·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$1,035/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
Stable
vs US Median
-$930
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Columbia City · $1,035
More affordable than 96% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
18% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,035/mo, rent takes about 18% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$41,000/yr
Local median income
$68,089/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Columbia City's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$900
1 BR
$950
2 BR
$1,150
3 BR
$1,450
4 BR+
$1,570
Research median
$1,150/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: March 14, 2026

Annual cost
$12,420/yr
At $1,035/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Balanced Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are roughly steady, with neither renters nor landlords holding a strong edge right now.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, +0.0% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Columbia City, IN is majority owner-occupied, 23.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
9,897
Median income
$68,089
Median age
37.3
Renters
35%
Age distribution
22.3%
25%
22.8%
13.8%
16.1%
Under 1822.3%
18–3425%
35–5422.8%
55–6413.8%
65+16.1%
Gender
49.2%
50.8%
Male49.2%
Female50.8%
Race & ethnicity
88.9%
White88.9%
Hispanic6.7%
Other4%
Education (25+)
40.6%
28.2%
23.7%
No HS diploma7.5%
HS diploma40.6%
Some college28.2%
Bachelor's+23.7%
Housing tenure
65%
35%
Owner65%
Renter35%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Columbia City, IN has changed in 5 years

Income
$53,797 → $68,089
up 26.6%
Population
9,390 → 9,897
up 5.4%
Renter share
32.5% → 35%
+2.5 pts
Bachelor's+
29.4% → 23.7%
-5.7 pts
Median age
38.4 → 37.3
-1.1 yrs

Median household income grew from $53,797 to $68,089 between 2021 and 2024, a 26.6% shift. Headcount in the area went from 9,390 to 9,897 between 2021 and 2024, a 5.4% change. About 35% of households rent today, against 32.5% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher slipped from 29.4% to 23.7%.

Community

Discussions about Columbia City

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View Columbia City rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Columbia City on your salary?

At $1,035/mo, how Columbia City rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Columbia City rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Columbia City

About renting in Columbia City, IN

Last updated: March 14, 2026

The median rent in Columbia City is $1,035/mo as of March 2026. A studio apartment averages $900/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,150/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $950/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,450/mo.

At 18% of local median household income ($68,089/yr), Columbia City ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Columbia City an affordable city for renters?

Columbia City is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,035/mo, rent takes approximately 18% of the local median household income ($68,089/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Columbia City falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Columbia City?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $41,000/year (~$20/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,035/mo in Columbia City. The local median household income is $68,089/yr, meaning the typical Columbia City household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Columbia City?

Rent in Columbia City has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of March 2026.

How does Columbia City rent compare to other cities in Indiana?

Columbia City is one of the more affordable cities in Indiana for rent, ranking #61 out of 70 tracked cities at $1,035/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Columbia City?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Columbia City ($1,035/mo): Marion ($913/mo), Goshen ($1,029/mo).

What percentage of Columbia City residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 35% of Columbia City households are renters, while 65% are owner-occupied. Columbia City leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Columbia City rent compare to the national average?

Columbia City's median rent of $1,035/mo is $930 (47%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Indiana, it ranks #61 out of 70 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
18%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,035/mo, rent takes ~18% of Columbia City's median household income ($68,089/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Columbia City 18%Benchmark 30%
State income tax3.05%
Run the Columbia City affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Columbia City, IN

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