Studio Apartment Rent in Columbia, SC
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Columbia, South Carolina as of July 2026. That's +20% lower than the citywide median of $1,478 and +9% below the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio 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 studio at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Columbia
Compare Columbia's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a studio in South Carolina
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gaffney | $740 |
| 2 | Camden | $750 |
| 3 | Newberry | $770 |
| 4 | Dalzell | $780 |
| 5 | North Augusta | $780 |
| 6 | Greenwood | $785 |
| 7 | Hartsville | $810 |
| 8 | Anderson | $815 |
| 9 | Seneca | $840 |
| 10 | Orangeburg | $855 |
| 11 | Sumter | $860 |
| 12 | Aiken | $885 |
| 13 | Graniteville | $890 |
| 14 | Lancaster | $910 |
| 15 | Florence | $913 |
Most expensive cities for a studio in South Carolina
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Forest Acres | $3,501 |
| 2 | Mount Pleasant | $2,185 |
| 3 | Bluffton | $2,010 |
| 4 | Charleston | $1,844 |
| 5 | Hilton Head Island | $1,705 |
| 6 | Fort Mill | $1,620 |
| 7 | Ladson | $1,580 |
| 8 | Summerville | $1,517 |
| 9 | Beaufort | $1,517 |
| 10 | Goose Creek | $1,500 |
| 11 | Hanahan | $1,490 |
| 12 | Clover | $1,490 |
| 13 | Port Royal | $1,480 |
| 14 | Chapin | $1,470 |
| 15 | Simpsonville | $1,450 |
Nearby cities — studio rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than Columbia.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Columbia |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forest Acres, SC | 2 mi | $3,501 | +$2,322 (+197%) |
| Cayce, SC | 6.7 mi | $1,130 | $-49 (-4%) |
| West Columbia, SC | 6.8 mi | $950 | $-229 (-19%) |
| Blythewood, SC | 11.2 mi | $1,160 | $-19 (-2%) |
| Hopkins, SC | 14.8 mi | $1,230 | +$51 (+4%) |
| Irmo, SC | 15.3 mi | $1,420 | +$241 (+20%) |
| Elgin, SC | 17.2 mi | $1,130 | $-49 (-4%) |
| Lexington, SC | 18.2 mi | $1,070 | $-109 (-9%) |
| Chapin, SC | 23.7 mi | $1,470 | +$291 (+25%) |
| Camden, SC | 35.5 mi | $750 | $-429 (-36%) |
| Orangeburg, SC | 37 mi | $855 | $-324 (-27%) |
| Dalzell, SC | 39.3 mi | $780 | $-399 (-34%) |
Studio rent in Columbia — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Columbia?
As of July 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Columbia, South Carolina is $1,179 per month. This is +20% below the citywide median of $1,478.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Columbia?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $47,160 ($3,930/month gross), which works out to roughly $22.67/hour at a full-time job.
Is Columbia expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Columbia's studio median of $1,179 is +9% below the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 42th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Columbia rank for studio rent in South Carolina?
Among the 67 cities in South Carolina with studio data, Columbia ranks #37 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Columbia?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Cayce ($1,130), West Columbia ($950), Blythewood ($1,160).