How much does it cost to rent in Columbus, IN?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Columbus, IN is $1,399. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Columbus cheaper than other Indiana cities?

Columbus falls in the middle range for Indiana, ranking #34 out of 65 cities at $1,399/mo.

When was Columbus rent data last updated?

Columbus rent data reflects July 2026 and was last refreshed on July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

City Report · IN

Columbus

Name: Average Rent Prices in Columbus, IN
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://rentdatanow.com/terms-of-service

Pop. 51,824·34th most expensive in Indiana·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US

Median rent (all units)

$1,399/mo

Year-over-Year

+4.2%

Month-over-Month

+2.9%

vs US Median

-$566

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Columbus · $1,399

More affordable than 82% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

54/100

Fairly priced

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 2% below what Columbus's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent

$1,399/mo

Expected by trend

$1,430/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

$1,045

1 BR

$1,080

2 BR

$1,200

3 BR

$1,490

4 BR+

$1,730

Research median

$1,200/mo

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

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost

$16,788/yr

At $1,399/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 4.2% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+4.2% YoY, +2.9% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Columbus, IN is majority owner-occupied, 40% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

51,824

Median income

$77,456

Median age

36.5

Renters

39.2%

Age distribution

23.8%

23.7%

25.7%

16%

Under 1823.8%

18–3423.7%

35–5425.7%

55–6410.9%

65+16%

Gender

50.6%

49.4%

Male50.6%

Female49.4%

Race & ethnicity

73.9%

White73.9%

Black2.5%

Hispanic10.7%

Asian11.5%

Other1.4%

Education (25+)

29.5%

22.7%

40%

No HS diploma7.8%

HS diploma29.5%

Some college22.7%

Bachelor's+40%

Housing tenure

60.8%

39.2%

Owner60.8%

Renter39.2%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Columbus, IN has changed in 5 years

Rent

$959 → $1,399

up 45.9%

Income

$72,380 → $77,456

up 7.0%

Population

50,718 → 51,824

up 2.2%

Renter share

38.3% → 39.2%

+0.9 pts

Bachelor's+

42.2% → 40%

-2.2 pts

Median age

35.7 → 36.5

+0.8 yrs

The median rent in Columbus, IN stood at $959 in 2021 and currently runs about $1,399, reflecting a 45.9% increase over the period. Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $72,380 in 2021 to $77,456 more recently. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. The population has grown by 2.2% since 2021, moving from about 50,718 residents to roughly 51,824. College-educated residents now make up 40% of adults here, versus 42.2% in 2021. These shifts give renters and would-be renters a longer baseline for sizing up today's listings against the Columbus, IN 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 $1,399/mo, how Columbus rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $86,922/yr · Rent = 19.3% income

very comfortable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $61,714/yr · Rent = 27.2% income

affordable

Police Officer

Avg $71,088/yr · Rent = 23.6% income

affordable

Software Developer

Avg $127,061/yr · Rent = 13.2% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $162,352/yr · Rent = 10.3% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $57,785/yr · Rent = 29.1% income

affordable

Truck Driver

Avg $52,173/yr · Rent = 32.2% income

stretched

Electrician

Avg $64,308/yr · Rent = 26.1% income

affordable

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, IN

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Columbus is $1,399/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,045/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,200/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,080/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,490/mo.

At 22% of local median household income ($77,456/yr), Columbus ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 4.2% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Columbus an affordable city for renters?

Columbus is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,399/mo, rent takes approximately 22% of the local median household income ($77,456/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 $56,000/year (~$27/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,399/mo in Columbus. The local median household income is $77,456/yr, meaning the typical Columbus household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Columbus?

Rent in Columbus has increased 4.2% 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 47203 ($1,395/mo), and 47201 ($1,402/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Columbus is $1,399/mo.

How does Columbus rent compare to other cities in Indiana?

Columbus is middle-of-the-pack for Indiana for rent, ranking #34 out of 65 tracked cities at $1,399/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Columbus?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Columbus ($1,399/mo): Shelbyville ($1,110/mo), Beech Grove ($1,219/mo).

What percentage of Columbus residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 39.2% of Columbus households are renters, while 60.8% 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 $1,399/mo is $566 (29%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Indiana, it ranks #34 out of 65 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

22%

VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,399/mo, rent takes ~22% of Columbus's median household income ($77,456/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Columbus 22%Benchmark 30%

State income tax3.05%

Run the Columbus affordability calculator →

Nearby cities