3-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Columbus, NE
Median asking rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in Columbus, Nebraska as of July 2026. That's +14% lower than the citywide median of $1,447 and +42% below the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130.
Income needed for a 3-bedroom in Columbus
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 3-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Columbus
Compare Columbus's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 3-bedroom in Nebraska
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Norfolk | $1,200 |
| 2 | Lexington | $1,210 |
| 3 | Columbus (this page) | $1,240 |
| 4 | Kearney | $1,265 |
| 5 | Fremont | $1,410 |
| 6 | Grand Island | $1,430 |
| 7 | Plattsmouth | $1,510 |
| 8 | Bellevue | $1,670 |
| 9 | Lincoln | $1,691 |
| 10 | La Vista | $1,790 |
| 11 | Omaha | $1,833 |
| 12 | Papillion | $1,970 |
| 13 | Gretna | $2,020 |
| 14 | Bennington | $2,090 |
Most expensive cities for a 3-bedroom in Nebraska
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bennington | $2,090 |
| 2 | Gretna | $2,020 |
| 3 | Papillion | $1,970 |
| 4 | Omaha | $1,833 |
| 5 | La Vista | $1,790 |
| 6 | Lincoln | $1,691 |
| 7 | Bellevue | $1,670 |
| 8 | Plattsmouth | $1,510 |
| 9 | Grand Island | $1,430 |
| 10 | Fremont | $1,410 |
| 11 | Kearney | $1,265 |
| 12 | Columbus (this page) | $1,240 |
| 13 | Lexington | $1,210 |
| 14 | Norfolk | $1,200 |
Nearby cities — 3-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 1 of these cities have cheaper 3-bedroom rents than Columbus.
| City | Distance | 3-Bedroom rent | vs Columbus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Norfolk, NE | 39.1 mi | $1,200 | $-40 (-3%) |
| Fremont, NE | 62.8 mi | $1,410 | +$170 (+14%) |
| Lincoln, NE | 67.5 mi | $1,691 | +$451 (+36%) |
| Grand Island, NE | 74.5 mi | $1,430 | +$190 (+15%) |
| Gretna, NE | 82.3 mi | $2,020 | +$780 (+63%) |
| Bennington, NE | 83.6 mi | $2,090 | +$850 (+69%) |
| Omaha, NE | 92.4 mi | $1,833 | +$593 (+48%) |
| La Vista, NE | 93.9 mi | $1,790 | +$550 (+44%) |
| Papillion, NE | 97.6 mi | $1,970 | +$730 (+59%) |
| Sioux City, IA | 101.8 mi | $1,300 | +$60 (+5%) |
| Bellevue, NE | 104.7 mi | $1,670 | +$430 (+35%) |
| Plattsmouth, NE | 105.6 mi | $1,510 | +$270 (+22%) |
3-Bedroom rent in Columbus — common questions
How much is a 3-bedroom apartment in Columbus?
As of July 2026, the median 3-bedroom apartment rent in Columbus, Nebraska is $1,240 per month. This is +14% below the citywide median of $1,447.
What income do you need to afford a 3-bedroom in Columbus?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $49,600 ($4,133/month gross), which works out to roughly $23.85/hour at a full-time job.
Is Columbus expensive for a 3-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Columbus's 3-bedroom median of $1,240 is +42% below the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130. It ranks in the 4th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Columbus rank for 3-bedroom rent in Nebraska?
Among the 14 cities in Nebraska with 3-bedroom data, Columbus ranks #3 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 3-bedroom options near Columbus?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 3-bedroom rents include Norfolk ($1,200).