2-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Columbia, SC
Median asking rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in Columbia, South Carolina as of August 2026. That's +3% lower than the citywide median of $1,478 and +13% below the national 2-bedroom median of $1,655.
Income needed for a 2-bedroom in Columbia
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 2-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Columbia
Compare Columbia's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 2-bedroom in South Carolina
| # | City | 2-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Forest Acres | $885 |
| 2 | Camden | $930 |
| 3 | Gaffney | $980 |
| 4 | Anderson | $985 |
| 5 | Greenwood | $985 |
| 6 | Newberry | $1,020 |
| 7 | Orangeburg | $1,030 |
| 8 | Hartsville | $1,050 |
| 9 | Lancaster | $1,050 |
| 10 | North Augusta | $1,060 |
| 11 | Seneca | $1,060 |
| 12 | Central | $1,090 |
| 13 | Pendleton | $1,090 |
| 14 | Piedmont | $1,090 |
| 15 | Travelers Rest | $1,110 |
Most expensive cities for a 2-bedroom in South Carolina
| # | City | 2-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mount Pleasant | $2,510 |
| 2 | Bluffton | $2,310 |
| 3 | Charleston | $2,123 |
| 4 | Hilton Head Island | $1,960 |
| 5 | Fort Mill | $1,863 |
| 6 | Ladson | $1,820 |
| 7 | Chapin | $1,800 |
| 8 | Summerville | $1,743 |
| 9 | Beaufort | $1,743 |
| 10 | Irmo | $1,730 |
| 11 | Goose Creek | $1,720 |
| 12 | Hanahan | $1,710 |
| 13 | Clover | $1,710 |
| 14 | Port Royal | $1,700 |
| 15 | Simpsonville | $1,670 |
Nearby cities — 2-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 2-bedroom rents than Columbia.
| City | Distance | 2-Bedroom rent | vs Columbia |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forest Acres, SC | 2 mi | $885 | $-556 (-39%) |
| Cayce, SC | 6.7 mi | $1,380 | $-61 (-4%) |
| West Columbia, SC | 6.8 mi | $1,160 | $-281 (-20%) |
| Blythewood, SC | 11.2 mi | $1,420 | $-21 (-1%) |
| Hopkins, SC | 14.8 mi | $1,500 | +$59 (+4%) |
| Irmo, SC | 15.3 mi | $1,730 | +$289 (+20%) |
| Elgin, SC | 17.2 mi | $1,400 | $-41 (-3%) |
| Lexington, SC | 18.2 mi | $1,305 | $-136 (-9%) |
| Lugoff, SC | 22.9 mi | $1,130 | $-311 (-22%) |
| Chapin, SC | 23.7 mi | $1,800 | +$359 (+25%) |
| Camden, SC | 35.5 mi | $930 | $-511 (-35%) |
| Orangeburg, SC | 37 mi | $1,030 | $-411 (-29%) |
2-Bedroom rent in Columbia — common questions
How much is a 2-bedroom apartment in Columbia?
As of August 2026, the median 2-bedroom apartment rent in Columbia, South Carolina is $1,441 per month. This is +3% below the citywide median of $1,478.
What income do you need to afford a 2-bedroom in Columbia?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $57,640 ($4,803/month gross), which works out to roughly $27.71/hour at a full-time job.
Is Columbia expensive for a 2-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Columbia's 2-bedroom median of $1,441 is +13% below the national 2-bedroom median of $1,655. It ranks in the 36th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Columbia rank for 2-bedroom rent in South Carolina?
Among the 67 cities in South Carolina with 2-bedroom data, Columbia ranks #39 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 2-bedroom options near Columbia?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 2-bedroom rents include Forest Acres ($885), Cayce ($1,380), West Columbia ($1,160).