At $1,371/mo, rent takes about 39% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,371 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.
Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →
12-month history
Last updated: October 17, 2026
What the numbers show
Rent in Columbus changed +4.6% over the year to September 2026. Across the 23 Mississippi cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +3.8%.
Rent rose in 7 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($42,235) is $1,056 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($1,003); a 3-bedroom is $1,377.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Columbus. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
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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.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Columbus, MS has changed in 5 years
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.
Discussions about Columbus
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Can you afford rent in Columbus on your salary?
At $1,371/mo, how Columbus rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Columbus rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Columbus. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Columbus
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Columbus is $1,371/mo as of October 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 4.6% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
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Is rent going up or down in Columbus?
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How does Columbus rent compare to other cities in Mississippi?
At $1,371/mo, rent takes ~39% of Columbus's median household income ($42,235/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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