Most Affordable Neighborhoods in Columbia, MD

Some of the cheapest neighborhoods in Columbia are Oakland Mills, Kings Contrivance, and Long Reach. These neighborhoods offer some of the lowest rent prices in Columbia, making them ideal for renters on a budget. As of March 16, 2025, the average rent in Columbia is $1,907, which is 1.5% higher than last year. However, it's important to remember that rental prices can vary significantly based on factors such as location, amenities, and floor plans.

Oakland Mills

Average Rent

$1,687/Month

Year-Over-Year Rent Change

3%

TransitScore® Rating

36/100

Units Available

37 Rentals

Oakland Mills is an affordable neighborhood in Columbia with an average rent price of $1,687. Compare this to the city average of $1,907. In the past year, rent prices have increased by 3%. Oakland Mills provides easy access to Browns Bridge Recreation Area, UMBC, and Dorsey. It’s a car-dependent neighborhood with a WalkScore® of 43.

Kings Contrivance

Average Rent

$1,773/Month

TransitScore® Rating

30/100

Units Available

26 Rentals

If you’re looking for a great, affordable neighborhood in Columbia, Kings Contrivance might be the perfect place! It has an average rent price of $1,773, while the city’s average stands at $1,907. In the last year, prices have increased by 0%. Kings Contrivance is near Patuxent Research Refuge - North Tract, Howard Community College, and Columbia Market.

Long Reach

Average Rent

$1,925/Month

Year-Over-Year Rent Change

1%

TransitScore® Rating

36/100

Units Available

39 Rentals

Long Reach is a top choice for budget-conscious renters for a variety of reasons. The average rent in Long Reach is $1,925 while the city average is $1,907. This is a 1% difference from last year. Residents enjoy convenient access to Mt Pleasant - Howard County Conservancy, Browns Bridge Recreation Area, and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall. The neighborhood is considered car-dependent with a WalkScore® of 48.

Fairway Hills

Average Rent

$1,938/Month

Year-Over-Year Rent Change

2.8%

TransitScore® Rating

29/100

Units Available

29 Rentals

When you’re looking for a great Columbia neighborhood on a budget, check out Fairway Hills. The average rent is $1,938, compared to the city average of $1,907. Rent prices have increased by 2.8%. Fairway Hills is convenient to Bwi Airport, Clark's Elioak Farm, and The Mall In Columbia. The community is car-dependent with a WalkScore® of 37.

Owen Brown

Average Rent

$2,028/Month

Year-Over-Year Rent Change

0.1%

TransitScore® Rating

36/100

Units Available

4 Rentals

Owen Brown is an affordable neighborhood in Columbia with an average rent price of $2,028. Compare this to the city average of $1,907. In the past year, rent prices have increased by 0.1%. Owen Brown provides easy access to Bwi Business District, Dorsey, and Patuxent Research Refuge - North Tract. It’s a somewhat walkable neighborhood with a WalkScore® of 51.

Harper's Choice

Average Rent

$2,100/Month

Year-Over-Year Rent Change

0.3%

TransitScore® Rating

26/100

Units Available

44 Rentals

If you’re looking for a great, affordable neighborhood in Columbia, Harper's Choice might be the perfect place! It has an average rent price of $2,100, while the city’s average stands at $1,907. In the last year, prices have increased by 0.3%. Harper's Choice is near Bwi Airport, Bwi Business District, and Howard Community College.

Hickory Ridge

Average Rent

$2,264/Month

Year-Over-Year Rent Change

0.6%

TransitScore® Rating

33/100

Units Available

104 Rentals

Hickory Ridge is a top choice for budget-conscious renters for a variety of reasons. The average rent in Hickory Ridge is $2,264 while the city average is $1,907. This is a 0.6% difference from last year. Residents enjoy convenient access to Bwi Airport, Pigtail Recreation Area, and Ronald Reagan Washington Ntl. The neighborhood is considered somewhat walkable with a WalkScore® of 50.

Wilde Lake

Average Rent

$2,272/Month

Year-Over-Year Rent Change

0.7%

TransitScore® Rating

45/100

Units Available

50 Rentals

When you’re looking for a great Columbia neighborhood on a budget, check out Wilde Lake. The average rent is $2,272, compared to the city average of $1,907. Rent prices have increased by 0.7%. Wilde Lake is convenient to Wilde Lake, UMBC, and Linthicum. The community is walkable with a WalkScore® of 70.

Downtown Columbia

Average Rent

$3,050/Month

Year-Over-Year Rent Change

3%

TransitScore® Rating

50/100

Units Available

180 Rentals

Downtown Columbia is an affordable neighborhood in Columbia with an average rent price of $3,050. Compare this to the city average of $1,907. In the past year, rent prices have increased by 3%. Downtown Columbia provides easy access to Mt Pleasant - Howard County Conservancy, North Linthicum, and Howard Community College. It’s a walkable neighborhood with a WalkScore® of 73.

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Methodology

Transit Score measures access to public transit. Scores range from 0 (minimal transit) to 100 (rider’s paradise). Learn more about the Transit Score methodology. Rental data is sourced from CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As a leading authority in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar performs in-depth research to build and sustain an extensive database of commercial real estate insights.

We've combined this data with public records to provide the most current rental information available.