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City Report · NE

Columbus

Pop. 24,488·5th most expensive in Nebraska·Rental market data updated monthly for Columbus, NE
Median rent (all units)
$1,458/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
+0.8%
vs US Median
-$504
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Columbus · $1,458
More affordable than 78% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
27% of income
AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,458/mo, rent takes about 27% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$58,000/yr
Local median income
$64,626/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
$650
1 BR
$720
2 BR
$940
3 BR
$1,240
4 BR+
$1,250
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$940/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,458 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 →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$17,496/yr
At $1,458/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 (+0.0% YoY, +0.8% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Columbus, NE is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, has a median income below the national average, 21.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
24,488
Median income
$64,626
Median age
37.4
Renters
33.9%
Age distribution
26.5%
20.3%
23.1%
12.4%
17.7%
Under 1826.5%
18–3420.3%
35–5423.1%
55–6412.4%
65+17.7%
Gender
49.7%
50.3%
Male49.7%
Female50.3%
Race & ethnicity
70.7%
28.2%
White70.7%
Black0.8%
Hispanic28.2%
Education (25+)
33.6%
35.5%
21.8%
No HS diploma9.1%
HS diploma33.6%
Some college35.5%
Bachelor's+21.8%
Housing tenure
66.1%
33.9%
Owner66.1%
Renter33.9%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Columbus, NE has changed in 5 years

Income
$60,586 → $64,626
up 6.7%
Population
23,954 → 24,488
up 2.2%
Renter share
31.2% → 33.9%
+2.7 pts
Bachelor's+
22% → 21.8%
-0.2 pts

Median household income grew from $60,586 to $64,626 between 2021 and 2024, a 6.7% shift. Headcount in the area went from 23,954 to 24,488 between 2021 and 2024, a 2.2% change. About 33.9% of households rent today, against 31.2% in 2021.

Community

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

Can you afford rent in Columbus on your salary?

At $1,458/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, NE

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Columbus is $1,458/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $650/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $940/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $720/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,240/mo.

At 27% of local median household income ($64,626/yr), Columbus ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Columbus an affordable city for renters?

Columbus is considered affordable for renters. At $1,458/mo, rent takes approximately 27% of the local median household income ($64,626/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Columbus falls comfortably within that range.

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 $58,000/year (~$28/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,458/mo in Columbus. The local median household income is $64,626/yr, meaning the typical Columbus household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Columbus?

Rent in Columbus has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of August 2026.

How does Columbus rent compare to other cities in Nebraska?

Columbus is one of the pricier cities in Nebraska for rent, ranking #5 out of 14 tracked cities at $1,458/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Columbus?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Columbus ($1,458/mo): Fremont ($1,209/mo), Norfolk ($1,291/mo), Grand Island ($1,296/mo).

What percentage of Columbus residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 33.9% of Columbus households are renters, while 66.1% are owner-occupied. Columbus leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Columbus rent compare to the national average?

Columbus's median rent of $1,458/mo is $504 (26%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Nebraska, it ranks #5 out of 14 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
27%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,458/mo, rent takes ~27% of Columbus's median household income ($64,626/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Columbus 27%Benchmark 30%
State income tax2.46–5.84%
Run the Columbus affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Columbus, NE

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