At $1,035/mo, rent takes about 18% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,035 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.
Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →
12-month history
Last updated: March 14, 2026
What the numbers show
30% of the median household income ($68,089) is $1,702 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 4-bedroom ($1,570).
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Columbia City. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
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Who lives here
Columbia City, IN is majority owner-occupied, 23.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Columbia City, IN has changed in 5 years
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%.
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Can you afford rent in Columbia City on your salary?
At $1,035/mo, how Columbia City rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Columbia City rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Columbia City. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Columbia City
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.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in Columbia City?
Is rent going up or down in Columbia City?
How does Columbia City rent compare to other cities in Indiana?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Columbia City?
At $1,035/mo, rent takes ~18% of Columbia City's median household income ($68,089/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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