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City Report · MS

Columbus

Pop. 23,348·23rd most expensive in Mississippi·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$1,388/mo
Year-over-Year
+1.3%
Month-over-Month
+0.1%
vs US Median
-$577
Stable (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Columbus · $1,388
More affordable than 82% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
39% of income
MODERATE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,388/mo, rent takes about 39% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$56,000/yr
Local median income
$42,235/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Columbus's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$853
1 BR
$857
2 BR
$1,003
3 BR
$1,377
4 BR+
$1,453
Research median
$1,003/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
$16,656/yr
At $1,388/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Balanced Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are roughly steady, with neither renters nor landlords holding a strong edge right now.
Based on rent-price momentum (+1.3% YoY, +0.1% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Columbus, MS is roughly split between renters and owners, has a large retiree population, has a median income below the national average, 26.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
23,348
Median income
$42,235
Median age
41.1
Renters
52.2%
Age distribution
18.1%
27.1%
19.8%
14.5%
20.5%
Under 1818.1%
18–3427.1%
35–5419.8%
55–6414.5%
65+20.5%
Gender
46%
54%
Male46%
Female54%
Race & ethnicity
29.7%
64.6%
White29.7%
Black64.6%
Hispanic2%
Asian1.6%
Other2.1%
Education (25+)
33.4%
29%
26.2%
No HS diploma11.4%
HS diploma33.4%
Some college29%
Bachelor's+26.2%
Housing tenure
47.8%
52.2%
Owner47.8%
Renter52.2%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Columbus, MS has changed in 5 years

Income
$34,488 → $42,235
up 22.5%
Population
23,858 → 23,348
down 2.1%
Renter share
52.5% → 52.2%
-0.3 pts
Bachelor's+
24.4% → 26.2%
+1.8 pts
Median age
39.9 → 41.1
+1.2 yrs

On the earnings side, the typical household in Columbus, MS now reports about $42,235, up from $34,488 in 2021. The population has contracted by 2.1% since 2021, moving from about 23,858 residents to roughly 23,348.

Community

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

Can you afford rent in Columbus on your salary?

At $1,388/mo, how Columbus rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

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, MS

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Columbus is $1,388/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $853/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,003/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $857/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,377/mo.

At 39% of local median household income ($42,235/yr), Columbus ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 1.3% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Columbus an affordable city for renters?

Columbus is considered moderate for renters. At $1,388/mo, rent takes approximately 39% of the local median household income ($42,235/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Columbus slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

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 $1,388/mo in Columbus. The local median household income is $42,235/yr, meaning the typical Columbus household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Columbus?

Rent in Columbus has increased 1.3% 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 39701 ($1,108/mo), 39702 ($1,308/mo), and 39705 ($2,108/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Columbus is $1,388/mo.

How does Columbus rent compare to other cities in Mississippi?

Columbus is one of the more affordable cities in Mississippi for rent, ranking #23 out of 28 tracked cities at $1,388/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Columbus?

Tupelo is nearby and more affordable at $1,381/mo, which is $7 less than Columbus.

What percentage of Columbus residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 52.2% of Columbus households are renters, while 47.8% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Columbus has a strong rental market.

How does Columbus rent compare to the national average?

Columbus's median rent of $1,388/mo is $577 (29%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Mississippi, it ranks #23 out of 28 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
39%
MODERATE

At $1,388/mo, rent takes ~39% of Columbus's median household income ($42,235/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Columbus 39%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.7%
Run the Columbus affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Columbus, MS

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