3-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Columbia, MO
Median asking rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in Columbia, Missouri as of October 2026. That's +7% lower than the citywide median of $1,464 and +36% below the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130.
Income needed for a 3-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 3-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 3-bedroom in Missouri
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boonville | $1,060 |
| 2 | Lebanon | $1,120 |
| 3 | Kirksville | $1,160 |
| 4 | Rolla | $1,170 |
| 5 | Sedalia | $1,180 |
| 6 | Bolivar | $1,190 |
| 7 | North Kansas City | $1,211 |
| 8 | Jefferson City | $1,220 |
| 9 | Glasgow Village | $1,232 |
| 10 | Knob Noster | $1,280 |
| 11 | Joplin | $1,335 |
| 12 | Branson | $1,350 |
| 13 | Columbia (this page) | $1,363 |
| 14 | Springfield | $1,378 |
| 15 | Cape Girardeau | $1,390 |
Most expensive cities for a 3-bedroom in Missouri
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sappington | $2,324 |
| 2 | Clayton | $2,250 |
| 3 | Brentwood | $2,140 |
| 4 | Chesterfield | $2,120 |
| 5 | Creve Coeur | $2,110 |
| 6 | Ballwin | $2,110 |
| 7 | Lake Saint Louis | $2,030 |
| 8 | Raymore | $2,010 |
| 9 | Lees Summit | $1,998 |
| 10 | Grain Valley | $1,900 |
| 11 | Kirkwood | $1,890 |
| 12 | Belton | $1,890 |
| 13 | O Fallon | $1,880 |
| 14 | Olivette | $1,870 |
| 15 | Saint Charles | $1,857 |
Nearby cities — 3-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 3-bedroom rents than Columbia.
| City | Distance | 3-Bedroom rent | vs Columbia |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson City, MO | 28.6 mi | $1,220 | $-143 (-10%) |
| Boonville, MO | 28.8 mi | $1,060 | $-303 (-22%) |
| Sedalia, MO | 65.2 mi | $1,180 | $-183 (-13%) |
| Waynesville, MO | 76.5 mi | $1,390 | +$27 (+2%) |
| Saint Robert, MO | 77.4 mi | $1,400 | +$37 (+3%) |
| Warrenton, MO | 77.6 mi | $1,410 | +$47 (+3%) |
| Rolla, MO | 80.6 mi | $1,170 | $-193 (-14%) |
| Kirksville, MO | 87.1 mi | $1,160 | $-203 (-15%) |
| Knob Noster, MO | 87.8 mi | $1,280 | $-83 (-6%) |
| Lebanon, MO | 89.1 mi | $1,120 | $-243 (-18%) |
| Quincy, IL | 93.8 mi | $1,230 | $-133 (-10%) |
| Warrensburg, MO | 98.5 mi | $1,490 | +$127 (+9%) |
3-Bedroom rent in Columbia — common questions
How much is a 3-bedroom apartment in Columbia?
As of October 2026, the median 3-bedroom apartment rent in Columbia, Missouri is $1,363 per month. This is +7% below the citywide median of $1,464.
What income do you need to afford a 3-bedroom in Columbia?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $54,520 ($4,543/month gross), which works out to roughly $26.21/hour at a full-time job.
Is Columbia expensive for a 3-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Columbia's 3-bedroom median of $1,363 is +36% below the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130. It ranks in the 9th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Columbia rank for 3-bedroom rent in Missouri?
Among the 73 cities in Missouri with 3-bedroom data, Columbia ranks #13 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 3-bedroom options near Columbia?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 3-bedroom rents include Jefferson City ($1,220), Boonville ($1,060), Sedalia ($1,180).