At $1,347/mo, rent takes about 30% 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 $1,347 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 Columbia changed +6.4% over the year to September 2026. Across the 114 Pennsylvania cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +3.6%.
Rent has risen 4 months in a row, and rose in 8 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($54,437) is $1,361 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($1,210); a 3-bedroom is $1,580.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Columbia. 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
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.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Columbia, PA has changed in 5 years
On the earnings side, the typical household in Columbia, PA now reports about $54,437, up from $45,507 in 2021.
Discussions about Columbia
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Can you afford rent in Columbia on your salary?
At $1,347/mo, how Columbia rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Columbia rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Columbia. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Columbia
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Columbia is $1,347/mo as of October 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 30% of local median household income ($54,437/yr), Columbia ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 6.4% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in Columbia?
Is rent going up or down in Columbia?
How does Columbia rent compare to other cities in Pennsylvania?
At $1,347/mo, rent takes ~30% of Columbia's median household income ($54,437/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
How does this area stack up?
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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