Studio Apartment Rent in Columbia, MO
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Columbia, Missouri as of July 2026. That's +51% lower than the citywide median of $1,424 and +46% below the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio 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 studio at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Columbia
Compare Columbia's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a studio in Missouri
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kirksville | $610 |
| 2 | Jefferson City | $660 |
| 3 | Rolla | $680 |
| 4 | Bolivar | $690 |
| 5 | Columbia (this page) | $697 |
| 6 | Sedalia | $700 |
| 7 | Fulton | $730 |
| 8 | Cape Girardeau | $750 |
| 9 | Waynesville | $750 |
| 10 | Saint Robert | $760 |
| 11 | Knob Noster | $780 |
| 12 | Branson | $790 |
| 13 | Springfield | $793 |
| 14 | Joplin | $835 |
| 15 | Jennings | $840 |
Most expensive cities for a studio in Missouri
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Clayton | $1,360 |
| 2 | Brentwood | $1,300 |
| 3 | Creve Coeur | $1,280 |
| 4 | Chesterfield | $1,280 |
| 5 | Ballwin | $1,275 |
| 6 | Raymore | $1,230 |
| 7 | Lake Saint Louis | $1,230 |
| 8 | Lees Summit | $1,224 |
| 9 | Grain Valley | $1,170 |
| 10 | Belton | $1,160 |
| 11 | Kirkwood | $1,140 |
| 12 | O Fallon | $1,135 |
| 13 | Olivette | $1,130 |
| 14 | Saint Charles | $1,123 |
| 15 | Mehlville | $1,122 |
Nearby cities — studio rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 4 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than Columbia.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Columbia |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fulton, MO | 23.9 mi | $730 | +$33 (+5%) |
| Jefferson City, MO | 28.6 mi | $660 | $-37 (-5%) |
| Sedalia, MO | 65.2 mi | $700 | +$3 (0%) |
| Waynesville, MO | 76.5 mi | $750 | +$53 (+8%) |
| Saint Robert, MO | 77.4 mi | $760 | +$63 (+9%) |
| Rolla, MO | 80.6 mi | $680 | $-17 (-2%) |
| Kirksville, MO | 87.1 mi | $610 | $-87 (-12%) |
| Knob Noster, MO | 87.8 mi | $780 | +$83 (+12%) |
| Washington, MO | 91.4 mi | $840 | +$143 (+21%) |
| Quincy, IL | 93.8 mi | $650 | $-47 (-7%) |
| Warrensburg, MO | 98.5 mi | $890 | +$193 (+28%) |
| Wentzville, MO | 100.8 mi | $1,070 | +$373 (+54%) |
Studio rent in Columbia — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Columbia?
As of July 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Columbia, Missouri is $697 per month. This is +51% below the citywide median of $1,424.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Columbia?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $27,880 ($2,323/month gross), which works out to roughly $13.40/hour at a full-time job.
Is Columbia expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Columbia's studio median of $697 is +46% below the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 3th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Columbia rank for studio rent in Missouri?
Among the 69 cities in Missouri with studio data, Columbia ranks #5 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Columbia?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Jefferson City ($660), Rolla ($680), Kirksville ($610).