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City Report · MO

Columbia

Pop. 128,548·39th most expensive in Missouri·Columbia rents are up 5.3% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$1,424/mo
Year-over-Year
+5.3%
Month-over-Month
-0.1%
vs US Median
-$541
Stable (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Columbia · $1,424
More affordable than 80% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Rent Reality Score
41/100
Fairly priced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 4% above what Columbia's 10-year trend predicts — running hotter than its own history.

Actual rent
$1,424/mo
Expected by trend
$1,365/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Columbia's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$697
1 BR
$867
2 BR
$1,010
3 BR
$1,363
4 BR+
$1,607
Research median
$1,010/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
$17,088/yr
At $1,424/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are climbing (5.3% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.
Based on rent-price momentum (+5.3% YoY, -0.1% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Columbia, MO is roughly split between renters and owners, skews toward younger working-age adults, 56.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
128,548
Median income
$66,498
Median age
29.5
Renters
51.3%
Age distribution
18.7%
39.4%
21.7%
Under 1818.7%
18–3439.4%
35–5421.7%
55–648.5%
65+11.6%
Gender
48.1%
51.9%
Male48.1%
Female51.9%
Race & ethnicity
73.2%
12.2%
White73.2%
Black12.2%
Hispanic4.4%
Asian6.4%
Other3.8%
Education (25+)
17.2%
21.8%
56.7%
No HS diploma4.3%
HS diploma17.2%
Some college21.8%
Bachelor's+56.7%
Housing tenure
48.7%
51.3%
Owner48.7%
Renter51.3%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Columbia, MO has changed in 5 years

Rent
$928 → $1,424
up 53.4%
Income
$57,463 → $66,498
up 15.7%
Population
124,342 → 128,548
up 3.4%
Renter share
50.5% → 51.3%
+0.8 pts
Bachelor's+
53.8% → 56.7%
+2.9 pts

Compared with 2021, rent in Columbia, MO has increased by $496 per month, settling near $1,424 after starting the period at $928. Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $57,463 in 2021 to $66,498 more recently. Rent outpaced income growth by roughly 37.7 percentage points, which means renters are spending a larger slice of each paycheck on housing than they did in 2021. Headcount in the area went from 124,342 to 128,548 between 2021 and 2024, a 3.4% change. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 53.8% to 56.7%. These shifts give renters and would-be renters a longer baseline for sizing up today's listings against the Columbia, MO market of 2021.

Community

Discussions about Columbia

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

Can you afford rent in Columbia on your salary?

At $1,424/mo, how Columbia rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Columbia rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Columbia

About renting in Columbia, MO

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Columbia is $1,424/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $697/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,010/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $867/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,363/mo.

At 26% of local median household income ($66,498/yr), Columbia ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 5.3% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Columbia an affordable city for renters?

Columbia is considered affordable for renters. At $1,424/mo, rent takes approximately 26% of the local median household income ($66,498/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Columbia falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Columbia?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $57,000/year (~$27/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,424/mo in Columbia. The local median household income is $66,498/yr, meaning the typical Columbia household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Columbia?

Rent in Columbia has increased 5.3% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Columbia neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Columbia are 65203 ($1,316/mo), 65202 ($1,381/mo), and 65201 ($1,551/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Columbia is $1,424/mo.

How does Columbia rent compare to other cities in Missouri?

Columbia is middle-of-the-pack for Missouri for rent, ranking #39 out of 74 tracked cities at $1,424/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Columbia?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Columbia ($1,424/mo): Boonville ($863/mo), Fulton ($1,082/mo), Jefferson City ($1,098/mo).

What percentage of Columbia residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 51.3% of Columbia households are renters, while 48.7% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Columbia has a strong rental market.

How does Columbia rent compare to the national average?

Columbia's median rent of $1,424/mo is $541 (28%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Missouri, it ranks #39 out of 74 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
26%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,424/mo, rent takes ~26% of Columbia's median household income ($66,498/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Columbia 26%Benchmark 30%
State income tax2–4.7%
Run the Columbia affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Columbia, MO

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