Located at the center of Ohio, Columbus is truly the heart of it all.
The 14th largest city in the United States based on population, this capital has everything you love about a metropolis with all the friendliness and familiarity of a small town.
A midwestern hub and home of the Ohio State University, Columbus is a town for sports lovers with multiple professional teams as well as many college and university teams. Thanks to a very diverse population, there are also vibrant art, music and culinary scenes.
Here is how Columbus stacks up in terms of average rent.
The average rent in Columbus is $1,182 for a one-bedroom apartment (up 13.88 percent year-over-year), which is $416 less than the national average of $1,598. There is a broad spectrum of rental price points available, so it will be easy to find something that will suit both your budget and your taste in Columbus.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, there has been a lot of movement in Columbus in terms of housing. Many employment opportunities in Columbus are in the financial and education sectors, which have moved many jobs online, making Columbus one of the best cities to work in from home. Professionals have been rapidly moving from the city's center to the northern suburbs during the last year.
Experts recommend that your rent take up no more than 30 percent of your budget.
You would need to make at least $47,280 annually to live comfortably in an average Columbus one-bedroom apartment. The average Columbus resident has an average salary of around $65,000, so this is very reasonable.
If you want to know exactly how much you will need to successfully make a move within Columbus, use our rent calculator.
The cost of living in Columbus is 8.4 percent less than the national average. Considering that Columbus has an unemployment rate of 4.7 percent, much lower than the national rate of 6.3 percent, it is a very economical place to live.
Every indicator shows Columbus being on the advantageous side of the national average when it comes to costs. Here's how the city ranks for common areas of spending:
Downtown Columbus has been the site of many renovations and additions in recent years, which has made it a very desirable part of town, commanding some of the highest rents. Both the East Columbus and Hilltop (west side) districts have excellent rental prices, and the areas north of the city offer the most diversity in pricing.
While areas closer to Downtown, including the Discovery District, Northwest Downtown and the Short North, have stalled in growth and lack some of their usual hustle and bustle since the pandemic's onset, they remain among the more expensive places to live in Columbus. These neighborhoods offer easy access to all of the financial and arts centers as well as Nationwide Children's Hospital and Grant Medical Center. They are also rich in culture and cuisine.
Other areas that offer great entertainment opportunities and a mix of eclectic art and cuisine are Victorian Village, Italian Village and Merion Village, all of which rank in the top 15 most expensive neighborhoods in Columbus and have an average rent of about $1,413. Part of the reason these areas have such a high price point is that the homes are historic and feature original architecture. Many of the houses in the area are even listed on the Columbus Register of Historic Places.
The northern parts of the city, especially going out towards the suburbs, are experiencing rapid growth and have seen rents increase pretty dramatically in some cases. For example, the Sanctuary and Springbourne have both seen an increase of more than 50 percent, making them the most expensive places to live in, with an average rent of $1,868. These are very desirable areas because they offer luxury homes and outstanding schools. These neighborhoods are popular among young families.
Here are the most expensive neighborhoods in Columbus.
| Rank | Neighborhood | Average 1-BR Rent Price | YoY Rent Price Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Springbourne | $1,868 | 52.18% |
| 2 | The Sanctuary | $1,868 | 52.18% |
| 3 | Arena District | $1,725 | N/A |
| 4 | Preserve South | $1,718 | 14.57% |
| 5 | Polaris | $1,641 | 23.35% |
| 6 | Short North | $1,635 | -6.21% |
| 7 | Uptown District | $1,555 | -4.12% |
| 8 | Northwest Downtown | $1,535 | 4.61% |
| 9 | Victorian Village | $1,517 | -0.91% |
| 10 | Downtown | $1,490 | -0.02% |
Some of the most affordable rents in Columbus are to the east of Columbus in the Pine Hills, Milbrook and Eastland neighborhoods. The rent in these districts is lower — $718 on average. That's because they are more densely populated and have significantly more congestion due to the airport and industry. However, these same factors provide jobs, so with lower rent, these areas are quite attractive.
As with the east side of the city, the region west of Downtown is very economical. Neighborhoods including Lincoln Village, Cherry Creek and Riverbend all have an average rent of about $717. These neighborhoods feature easy access to Downtown and plenty of industrial and labor jobs. The industrial nature and age of the area is a significant factor in the lower cost of the rentals.
Another great part of Columbus is north of Downtown before you reach the outer suburbs. Blendon Woods, Northgate and Forest Park East give you a cheaper price point with all of the same local amenities as the most expensive neighborhoods right next door. Forest Park East has the lowest average rent in Columbus at just $632. These districts are less pricey than their neighbors to the north but still provide many of the same great features. They are also a little closer to work for the many who commute Downtown. The drive from the north end of Columbus to Downtown and back can get a bit hectic at rush hour but otherwise is generally less than 20 minutes.
Here are the least expensive neighborhoods in Columbus.
| Rank | Neighborhood | Average 1-BR Rent Price | YoY Rent Price Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Forest Park East | $632 | -11.72% |
| 2 | Pine Hills | $653 | -4.88% |
| 3 | Northgate* | $669 | -3.97% |
| 4 | Scioto Woods | $671 | -0.36% |
| 5 | Lincoln Village | $674 | 2.42% |
| 6 | Hilltop | $684 | -5.48% |
| 7 | Parkview | $686 | -1.41% |
| 8 | Laurel Greene* | $689 | -30.70% |
| 9 | Milbrook | $699 | 4.21% |
| 10 | East Columbus | $712 | 28.23% |
Columbus's rent ranges from $632 to $1,868, depending on where you are in the city. Here are the average prices of each neighborhood.
Come and enjoy all four seasons, rich tradition and cultural diversity in the city that has it all. Find your new home in Columbus today.
Julianna Nasif is a blogger and copywriter from Columbus, Ohio. She attended Ohio Wesleyan University and has more than a decade of retail and marketing experience.