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ZIP Code · SC

ZIP 29212

Part of Columbia, SC
Pop. 27,657·Lexington County·72nd most expensive ZIP in South Carolina
Median rent (all units)
$1,620/mo
Year-over-Year
+11.3%
Month-over-Month
+3.0%
vs US Median
-$345
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
ZIP 29212 · $1,620
More affordable than 65% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,965/mo
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Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,180
1 BR
$1,330
2 BR
$1,460
3 BR
$1,860
4 BR+
$2,190
Research median
$1,460/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$19,440/yr
At $1,620/mo median
Location
StateSC
CountyLexington County
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 11.3% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+11.3% YoY, +3.0% MoM), not inventory.
Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 29212 (Columbia, SC) is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, 46.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
27,657
Median income
$77,142
Median age
44.8
Renters
32.1%
Age distribution
18.8%
19.9%
22.5%
15.3%
23.6%
Under 1818.8%
18–3419.9%
35–5422.5%
55–6415.3%
65+23.6%
Gender
46.1%
53.9%
Male46.1%
Female53.9%
Race & ethnicity
63.2%
25.7%
White63.2%
Black25.7%
Hispanic4.8%
Asian2.8%
Other3.5%
Education (25+)
18.1%
30.1%
46.2%
No HS diploma5.6%
HS diploma18.1%
Some college30.1%
Bachelor's+46.2%
Housing tenure
67.9%
32.1%
Owner67.9%
Renter32.1%

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

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 29212 in Columbia, SC has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,098 → $1,620
up 47.5%
Income
$65,888 → $77,142
up 17.1%
Population
27,724 → 27,657
down 0.2%
Renter share
31.1% → 32.1%
+1.0 pts
Bachelor's+
44.9% → 46.2%
+1.3 pts
Median age
41.8 → 44.8
+3.0 yrs

Compared with 2021, rent in ZIP 29212 in Columbia, SC has climbed by $522 per month, settling near $1,620 after starting the period at $1,098. On the earnings side, the typical household in ZIP 29212 in Columbia, SC now reports about $77,142, up from $65,888 in 2021. Rent outpaced income growth by roughly 30.4 percentage points, which means renters are spending a larger slice of each paycheck on housing than they did in 2021. For context, the 2021 to 2026 window covers an unusually volatile run for US rents nationally, and ZIP 29212 in Columbia, SC reflects that arc in its own way.

Community

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Local insights

Tips for renters in ZIP 29212

About renting in ZIP 29212

Last updated: July 20, 2026

ZIP code 29212 covers Columbia, SC. The median rent here is $1,620/mo as of July 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $1,330/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $1,460/mo.

At 25% of local median household income ($77,142/yr), ZIP 29212 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 11.3% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much is rent in ZIP code 29212?

As of July 20, 2026, the median monthly rent in ZIP 29212 (Columbia, SC) is $1,620. This is based on aggregated data from public sources and community submissions.

How does ZIP 29212 rent compare to the US average?

ZIP 29212's median rent of $1,620/mo is $345 (18%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo.

How does ZIP 29212 compare to other ZIPs in South Carolina?

ZIP 29212 falls in the middle range for South Carolina, ranking #72 out of 124 ZIPs at $1,620/mo.

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 29212?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $65,000/year (~$31/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,620/mo in ZIP 29212. The local median household income is $77,142/yr, meaning the typical household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 29212?

Rent in ZIP 29212 has increased 11.3% over the past year as of July 20, 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Is ZIP 29212 an affordable place to rent?

ZIP 29212 is considered affordable for renters. At $1,620/mo, rent takes approximately 25% of the local median household income ($77,142/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. ZIP 29212 falls comfortably within that range.

What percentage of ZIP 29212 residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 32.1% of ZIP 29212 households are renters, while 67.9% are owner-occupied. ZIP 29212 leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does ZIP 29212 compare to the rest of Columbia?

ZIP 29212 is pricier than Columbia as a whole. At $1,620/mo, it's $142 above the Columbia citywide median of $1,478/mo.

When was rent data for ZIP 29212 last updated?

Rent data for ZIP 29212 reflects July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.
Income Affordability
25%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,620/mo, rent takes ~25% of ZIP 29212's median household income ($77,142/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

ZIP 29212 25%Benchmark 30%
State income tax3–6.2%
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Schools nearby

Public schools near ZIP 29212 (Columbia, SC)

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