At $1,406/mo, rent takes about 26% of the local median household income, comfortably within 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 $1,406 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
30% of the median household income ($64,626) is $1,616 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 4-bedroom ($1,250).
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, 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.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Columbus, NE has changed in 5 years
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.
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Can you afford rent in Columbus on your salary?
At $1,406/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 $1,406/mo as of October 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 26% 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.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in Columbus?
Is rent going up or down in Columbus?
How does Columbus rent compare to other cities in Nebraska?
At $1,406/mo, rent takes ~26% of Columbus's median household income ($64,626/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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