3-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Columbia, SC
Median asking rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in Columbia, South Carolina as of October 2026. That's +23% higher than the citywide median of $1,500 and +14% below the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130.
Income needed for a 3-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 3-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 3-bedroom in South Carolina
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Camden | $1,130 |
| 2 | Greenwood | $1,200 |
| 3 | Gaffney | $1,220 |
| 4 | Anderson | $1,243 |
| 5 | Orangeburg | $1,280 |
| 6 | Seneca | $1,310 |
| 7 | Central | $1,350 |
| 8 | Piedmont | $1,350 |
| 9 | Pendleton | $1,360 |
| 10 | Travelers Rest | $1,360 |
| 11 | Dalzell | $1,380 |
| 12 | Easley | $1,380 |
| 13 | North Augusta | $1,390 |
| 14 | Fountain Inn | $1,410 |
| 15 | Lancaster | $1,430 |
Most expensive cities for a 3-bedroom in South Carolina
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mount Pleasant | $3,110 |
| 2 | Bluffton | $2,805 |
| 3 | Charleston | $2,630 |
| 4 | Fort Mill | $2,370 |
| 5 | Hilton Head Island | $2,360 |
| 6 | Chapin | $2,290 |
| 7 | Ladson | $2,250 |
| 8 | Irmo | $2,210 |
| 9 | Summerville | $2,160 |
| 10 | Goose Creek | $2,130 |
| 11 | Hanahan | $2,120 |
| 12 | Clover | $2,110 |
| 13 | Beaufort | $2,103 |
| 14 | Simpsonville | $2,040 |
| 15 | North Charleston | $2,040 |
Nearby cities — 3-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 3-bedroom rents than Columbia.
| City | Distance | 3-Bedroom rent | vs Columbia |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cayce, SC | 6.7 mi | $1,760 | $-79 (-4%) |
| West Columbia, SC | 6.8 mi | $1,480 | $-359 (-20%) |
| Blythewood, SC | 11.2 mi | $1,810 | $-29 (-2%) |
| Irmo, SC | 15.3 mi | $2,210 | +$371 (+20%) |
| Elgin, SC | 17.2 mi | $1,730 | $-109 (-6%) |
| Lexington, SC | 18.2 mi | $1,665 | $-174 (-9%) |
| Lugoff, SC | 22.9 mi | $1,440 | $-399 (-22%) |
| Chapin, SC | 23.7 mi | $2,290 | +$451 (+25%) |
| Camden, SC | 35.5 mi | $1,130 | $-709 (-39%) |
| Orangeburg, SC | 37 mi | $1,280 | $-559 (-30%) |
| Dalzell, SC | 39.3 mi | $1,380 | $-459 (-25%) |
| Sumter, SC | 45.3 mi | $1,513 | $-326 (-18%) |
3-Bedroom rent in Columbia — common questions
How much is a 3-bedroom apartment in Columbia?
As of October 2026, the median 3-bedroom apartment rent in Columbia, South Carolina is $1,839 per month. This is +23% higher than the citywide median of $1,500.
What income do you need to afford a 3-bedroom in Columbia?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $73,560 ($6,130/month gross), which works out to roughly $35.37/hour at a full-time job.
Is Columbia expensive for a 3-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Columbia's 3-bedroom median of $1,839 is +14% below the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130. It ranks in the 34th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Columbia rank for 3-bedroom rent in South Carolina?
Among the 62 cities in South Carolina with 3-bedroom data, Columbia ranks #38 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 3-bedroom options near Columbia?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 3-bedroom rents include Cayce ($1,760), West Columbia ($1,480), Blythewood ($1,810).