Markets › Columbia
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Columbia SC Apartment Market Read
Current market read
Balanced market
ConditionBalanced
Balanced on the yearly data, and steady on the monthly figures, asking rents and jobs.
From public data. The situation now, not a forecast.
Renter Google searchabout 1,000 searches in August 2026 · HousesSee read → What renters Google mostHousesSee all →
Renter Google Search InterestGoogle · monthly
About 1,000 searches in August 2026, for Columbia on its own
November is usually one of the quietest months for renter searches here.
Attention, not a verdict. Google searches for apartments to rent.
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The day asking rent growth (now +0.9%) or job growth (now +1.1%) moves half a point, you get an email. Plus two years of history and the report.
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Momentum · which way it's movingRENT + JOBS · UPDATED MONTHLY
Stable
Nothing is pulling hard either way in the latest figures (September 2026).
Job growthBLS · SEPTEMBER 2026, PRELIMINARY
+1.1%
▲ Hiring, past 12 months
Job growth · 12 months
Oct 2025 to Sep 2026, with Pro
VacancyCENSUS · 2024
Share of rentals sitting empty. A yearly count, last taken 2024, not what sets the condition.
Asking rentZILLOW · MONTHLY
$1,381 a month
September 2026, ▲ up 0.9% on September 2025
Data Provided by Zillow Group
Asking rent · 24 months
Oct 2024 to Sep 2026, with Pro
Census 2024: +7.5% · US avg +4.6%
Median rentCENSUS · 2024
$1,257/mo
Typical rent. A yearly count, last taken 2024
Median rent · 8 yearly counts
2017 to 2025, no 2020, with Pro
In the news · ColumbiaNEWS · DAILY
Latest local coverage, 1 week ago. softer neutral firmer
SC has one of the most competitive US rental markets, RentCafe says. Here’s whereColumbia’s affordable housing is concentrated in North Columbia. Is it changing?Columbia housing market shifts toward first-time buyersView all 8 Columbia news →Demand vs supplyCENSUS + BLS
Strong demand
DEMAND
Jobs+1.1%
Migration 2025+6.6/1k
SUPPLY
Permits 2025-21%
Vacancy 20245.4%
Rent vs buyWEEKLY RATE · 2024 RENT
+$710/mo
Cheaper to rent than buying
rent $1,257 · own $1,967
$1,257RENT
$1,967OWN
Domestic migrationCENSUS · 2025
+6.6/1k
▲ More people moved in from elsewhere in the US than left. A yearly count, last taken 2025.
OUTFLOWINFLOW
Census · BLS · FRED · Zillow · news
For information only. Not investment advice. AI-written summaries can make mistakes.