1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Columbia, MO
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Columbia, Missouri as of July 2026. That's +39% lower than the citywide median of $1,424 and +38% below the national 1-bedroom median of $1,400.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Columbia
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a 1-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Columbia
Compare Columbia's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 1-bedroom in Missouri
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kirksville | $640 |
| 2 | Jefferson City | $670 |
| 3 | Bolivar | $690 |
| 4 | Rolla | $690 |
| 5 | Sedalia | $700 |
| 6 | Fulton | $730 |
| 7 | Waynesville | $750 |
| 8 | Saint Robert | $760 |
| 9 | Knob Noster | $790 |
| 10 | Springfield | $798 |
| 11 | Branson | $800 |
| 12 | Cape Girardeau | $800 |
| 13 | Joplin | $835 |
| 14 | Nixa | $840 |
| 15 | Ozark | $850 |
Most expensive cities for a 1-bedroom in Missouri
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Clayton | $1,410 |
| 2 | Raymore | $1,350 |
| 3 | Lees Summit | $1,346 |
| 4 | Brentwood | $1,340 |
| 5 | Chesterfield | $1,330 |
| 6 | Creve Coeur | $1,320 |
| 7 | Ballwin | $1,320 |
| 8 | Grain Valley | $1,280 |
| 9 | Lake Saint Louis | $1,270 |
| 10 | Belton | $1,270 |
| 11 | Valley Park | $1,267 |
| 12 | Kansas City | $1,226 |
| 13 | Parkville | $1,220 |
| 14 | O Fallon | $1,180 |
| 15 | Kirkwood | $1,180 |
Nearby cities — 1-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Columbia.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Columbia |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fulton, MO | 23.9 mi | $730 | $-137 (-16%) |
| Jefferson City, MO | 28.6 mi | $670 | $-197 (-23%) |
| Sedalia, MO | 65.2 mi | $700 | $-167 (-19%) |
| Waynesville, MO | 76.5 mi | $750 | $-117 (-13%) |
| Saint Robert, MO | 77.4 mi | $760 | $-107 (-12%) |
| Rolla, MO | 80.6 mi | $690 | $-177 (-20%) |
| Kirksville, MO | 87.1 mi | $640 | $-227 (-26%) |
| Knob Noster, MO | 87.8 mi | $790 | $-77 (-9%) |
| Washington, MO | 91.4 mi | $880 | +$13 (+1%) |
| Quincy, IL | 93.8 mi | $730 | $-137 (-16%) |
| Warrensburg, MO | 98.5 mi | $990 | +$123 (+14%) |
| Wentzville, MO | 100.8 mi | $1,110 | +$243 (+28%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Columbia — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Columbia?
As of July 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Columbia, Missouri is $867 per month. This is +39% below the citywide median of $1,424.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Columbia?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $34,680 ($2,890/month gross), which works out to roughly $16.67/hour at a full-time job.
Is Columbia expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Columbia's 1-bedroom median of $867 is +38% below the national 1-bedroom median of $1,400. It ranks in the 10th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Columbia rank for 1-bedroom rent in Missouri?
Among the 72 cities in Missouri with 1-bedroom data, Columbia ranks #17 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Columbia?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Fulton ($730), Jefferson City ($670), Sedalia ($700).