Median rents, rental comps, and market trends across 10 zip codes in Columbia, SC.
State capital, University of South Carolina, and Fort Jackson — three stable demand drivers that don't correlate with each other. When one's slow, the others aren't. Affordable market with built-in diversification.
Median Asking Rent
$1,511
Rent Change (YoY)
-5.0%
Avg Days on Market
43
Active Rental Listings
1,292
Median List Price
$254,950
Average across 10 zip codes
ZIP | Median Rent |
|---|---|
| 29229 | $1,899/mo |
| 29212 | $1,750/mo |
| 29223 | $1,695/mo |
| 29201 | $1,580/mo |
| 29205 | $1,550/mo |
| 29209 | $1,495/mo |
| 29204 | $1,350/mo |
| 29206 | $1,250/mo |
| 29210 | $1,235/mo |
| 29203 | $1,195/mo |
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| Unit Size | Median Rent |
|---|---|
| Studio | $938/mo |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,091/mo |
| 2 Bedroom | $1,250/mo |
| 3 Bedroom | $1,800/mo |
| 4 Bedroom | $2,124/mo |
Aggregated median across all Columbia zip codes with available data.
| ZIP | Median List Price |
|---|---|
| 29206 | $335,000 |
| 29205 | $315,000 |
| 29201 | $299,900 |
| 29212 | $275,000 |
| 29229 | $269,900 |
| 29209 | $240,000 |
| 29223 | $225,000 |
| 29204 | $224,900 |
| 29210 | $180,000 |
| 29203 | $172,000 |
| Unit Size | Fair Market Rent |
|---|---|
| Studio | $1,390/mo |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,570/mo |
| 2 Bedroom | $1,720/mo |
| 3 Bedroom | $2,190/mo |
| 4 Bedroom | $2,580/mo |
Fair Market Rents are published annually by HUD for the Columbia metropolitan area. Local housing authorities use these to set Section 8 voucher payment standards, typically between 90% and 110% of the FMR.
The median asking rent across Columbia, SC is currently $1,511/month, based on active rental listings across 10 zip codes. Median asking rents have decreased by -5.0% over the past 12 months.
Asking rents vary significantly across the city. ZIP 29229 has the highest median asking rent at $1,899/month, while ZIP 29203 comes in at $1,195/month.
Rental listings in the area spend an average of 43 days on market before being leased, suggesting a more tenant-friendly market.
The HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom in the Columbia metro area is $1,720/month. Current median asking rents are near or below the FMR for this area.
Columbia has three things going for it that provide a solid rental demand base: it's the state capital (government jobs), it's home to the University of South Carolina (student renters and university employment), and Fort Jackson is the Army's largest basic training installation. That combination gives you multiple renter populations. The Vista, Five Points, and Shandon are premium areas. West Columbia and the northeast side are more affordable. South Carolina is landlord-friendly. The market isn't glamorous, but the demand is consistent and the entry points are low. For investors focused on steady cash flow rather than appreciation, Columbia is a market that quietly works.
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Fair market rent, Section 8, HUD... what does it all mean? A straightforward breakdown of how it works and why it matters.
A step-by-step guide to pricing your rental so it rents quickly without leaving money on the table.