Columbia, MO Rental Market Trends
Last updated: February 18, 2026 | Source: RentCafe Market Analysis, Yardi Matrix, U.S. Census Bureau
Highlights
The average rent for an apartment in Columbia is $1,667, a 5.68% increase compared to the previous year, when the average rent was $1,577.
Studio Apartments at $822 offer the most budget-friendly option with 422 square feet, ideal for single renters prioritizing location over space.
One-bedroom apartments provide 684 square feet for $1,137, balancing privacy and affordability.
Two-beedroom units at $1,310 offer 980 square feet, perfect for roommates or small families.
Three-bedroom apartments deliver maximum space (1,355 sq ft) for $1,957, suitable for larger households.
Average rent in Columbia, MO
Last updated: February 18, 2026
| Average Rent | Average Apartment Size | |
|---|---|---|
| All Rentals | $1,667 | 1,077 sq. ft. |
| Studio | $822 | 422 sq. ft. |
| 1 Bed | $1,137 | 684 sq. ft. |
| 2 Beds | $1,310 | 980 sq. ft. |
| 3 Beds | $1,957 | 1,355 sq. ft. |
Columbia, MO rent trends
Rental prices in Columbia, MO have increased by 5.68% over the past year. The average rent moved from $1,577 to $1,667.
What's the typical rent budget in Columbia, MO?
The largest share of rentals in Columbia, MO (39%) fall between $1,001-$1,500 per month. This suggests that most people succesfully find suitable apartments within this price.
Do most people rent or own in Columbia, MO?
26,005 or 51% of the households in Columbia, MO are renter-occupied while 25,376 or 49% are owner-occupied.
Average Rent in Columbia, MO By Neighborhood
| Neighborhood | Average Rent |
|---|---|
| Columbia City | $1,667 |
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How Columbia Compares to Other Cities
| City | Average Rent |
|---|---|
| Columbia | $1,667 |
| Kansas City | $1,316 |
| Saint Louis | $1,390 |
| Florissant | $1,038 |
| Independence | $1,186 |
| Saint Charles | $1,444 |
| Springfield | $1,113 |
| Lee's Summit | $1,542 |
| O'Fallon | $1,522 |
| Creve Coeur | $1,426 |
| Raymore | $1,519 |
Where this data comes from
The rental statistics on this page were compiled by RentCafe.com, a nationwide apartment search website trusted by millions of renters to find apartments and houses for rent throughout the U.S.
Rent prices, trends, and apartment sizes were calculated based on data from our sister company, Yardi Matrix, an apartment market intelligence solution that covers approximately 90% of the U.S. metro area population. The data includes comprehensive information on all Columbia apartment buildings with 50 or more units, totaling 23.5 million apartments across 181 U.S. markets.
Housing composition data was sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau, using the most recently available information by tenure.