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City Report · PA

Columbia

Pop. 10,278·132nd most expensive in Pennsylvania·Columbia rents are up 11.4% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$1,328/mo
Year-over-Year
+11.4%
Month-over-Month
+2.9%
vs US Median
-$634
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Columbia · $1,328
More affordable than 86% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
29% of income
AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,328/mo, rent takes about 29% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$53,000/yr
Local median income
$54,437/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Columbia's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$860
1 BR
$960
2 BR
$1,210
3 BR
$1,580
4 BR+
$1,600
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,210/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,328 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
$15,936/yr
At $1,328/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 11.4% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+11.4% YoY, +2.9% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Columbia, PA is roughly split between renters and owners, has a large retiree population, has a median income below the national average, 17.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
10,278
Median income
$54,437
Median age
41.8
Renters
47.2%
Age distribution
17.5%
23.8%
23.9%
12.2%
22.6%
Under 1817.5%
18–3423.8%
35–5423.9%
55–6412.2%
65+22.6%
Gender
54.6%
45.4%
Male54.6%
Female45.4%
Race & ethnicity
71.6%
22.9%
White71.6%
Black9.5%
Hispanic22.9%
Education (25+)
17.6%
43.5%
21.5%
17.4%
No HS diploma17.6%
HS diploma43.5%
Some college21.5%
Bachelor's+17.4%
Housing tenure
52.8%
47.2%
Owner52.8%
Renter47.2%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Columbia, PA has changed in 5 years

Income
$45,507 → $54,437
up 19.6%
Population
10,243 → 10,278
up 0.3%
Renter share
46.6% → 47.2%
+0.6 pts
Bachelor's+
16.3% → 17.4%
+1.1 pts
Median age
42.4 → 41.8
-0.6 yrs

On the earnings side, the typical household in Columbia, PA now reports about $54,437, up from $45,507 in 2021.

Community

Discussions about Columbia

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

Can you afford rent in Columbia on your salary?

At $1,328/mo, how Columbia rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Columbia rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Columbia. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Columbia

About renting in Columbia, PA

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Columbia is $1,328/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $860/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,210/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $960/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,580/mo.

At 29% of local median household income ($54,437/yr), Columbia ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 11.4% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Columbia an affordable city for renters?

Columbia is considered affordable for renters. At $1,328/mo, rent takes approximately 29% of the local median household income ($54,437/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Columbia falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Columbia?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $53,000/year (~$25/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,328/mo in Columbia. The local median household income is $54,437/yr, meaning the typical Columbia household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Columbia?

Rent in Columbia has increased 11.4% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Columbia rent compare to other cities in Pennsylvania?

Columbia is one of the more affordable cities in Pennsylvania for rent, ranking #132 out of 169 tracked cities at $1,328/mo.

What percentage of Columbia residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 47.2% of Columbia households are renters, while 52.8% are owner-occupied. Columbia leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Columbia rent compare to the national average?

Columbia's median rent of $1,328/mo is $634 (32%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Pennsylvania, it ranks #132 out of 169 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
29%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,328/mo, rent takes ~29% of Columbia's median household income ($54,437/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Columbia 29%Benchmark 30%
State income tax3.07%
Run the Columbia affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Columbia, PA

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