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 December 26, 2024, the average rent in Columbia is $1,853, which is 0.9% 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

$1,725/Month

Year-Over-Year Rent Change

5.1%

TransitScore® Rating

36/100

Units Available

45 Rentals

Oakland Mills is an affordable neighborhood in Columbia with an average rent price of $1,725. Compare this to the city average of $1,853. In the past year, rent prices have increased by 5.1%. Oakland Mills provides easy access to Dorsey, Browns Bridge Recreation Area, and CCBC Cantonsville. It’s a car-dependent neighborhood with a WalkScore® of 43.

Kings Contrivance

Average Rent

$1,847/Month

Year-Over-Year Rent Change

1.6%

TransitScore® Rating

30/100

Units Available

41 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 $1,847, while the city’s average stands at $1,853. In the last year, prices have increased by 1.6%. Kings Contrivance is near UMBC, Bowie State University, and Patuxent Research Refuge - North Tract.

Long Reach

Average Rent

$1,888/Month

Year-Over-Year Rent Change

2.1%

TransitScore® Rating

36/100

Units Available

45 Rentals

Long Reach is a top choice for budget-conscious renters for a variety of reasons. The average rent in Long Reach is $1,888 while the city average is $1,853. This is a 2.1% difference from last year. Residents enjoy convenient access to CCBC Cantonsville, Dorsey, and Howard Community College. The neighborhood is considered car-dependent with a WalkScore® of 48.

Harper's Choice

Average Rent

$1,896/Month

Year-Over-Year Rent Change

5.1%

TransitScore® Rating

26/100

Units Available

42 Rentals

When you’re looking for a great Columbia neighborhood on a budget, check out Harper's Choice. The average rent is $1,896, compared to the city average of $1,853. Rent prices have increased by 5.1%. Harper's Choice is convenient to Ronald Reagan Washington Ntl, Dorsey, and Harper's Choice Village Center. The community is car-dependent with a WalkScore® of 45.

Fairway Hills

Average Rent

$2,093/Month

Year-Over-Year Rent Change

6.5%

TransitScore® Rating

29/100

Units Available

39 Rentals

Fairway Hills is an affordable neighborhood in Columbia with an average rent price of $2,093. Compare this to the city average of $1,853. In the past year, rent prices have increased by 6.5%. Fairway Hills provides easy access to The Mall In Columbia, Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall, and Dorsey's Search Village Center. It’s a car-dependent neighborhood with a WalkScore® of 37.

Owen Brown

Average Rent

$2,119/Month

Year-Over-Year Rent Change

4.7%

TransitScore® Rating

36/100

Units Available

4 Rentals

If you’re looking for a great, affordable neighborhood in Columbia, Owen Brown might be the perfect place! It has an average rent price of $2,119, while the city’s average stands at $1,853. In the last year, prices have increased by 4.7%. Owen Brown is near Patuxent Research Refuge - North Tract, New Concept Business Park, and Bowie State University.

Wilde Lake

Average Rent

$2,164/Month

Year-Over-Year Rent Change

14.2%

TransitScore® Rating

45/100

Units Available

46 Rentals

Wilde Lake is a top choice for budget-conscious renters for a variety of reasons. The average rent in Wilde Lake is $2,164 while the city average is $1,853. This is a -14.2% difference from last year. Residents enjoy convenient access to Linthicum, Wilde Lake, and UMBC. The neighborhood is considered walkable with a WalkScore® of 70.

Hickory Ridge

Average Rent

$2,184/Month

Year-Over-Year Rent Change

3.9%

TransitScore® Rating

33/100

Units Available

114 Rentals

When you’re looking for a great Columbia neighborhood on a budget, check out Hickory Ridge. The average rent is $2,184, compared to the city average of $1,853. Rent prices have increased by 3.9%. Hickory Ridge is convenient to CCBC Cantonsville, Brighton Dam's Azalea Garden, and Browns Bridge Recreation Area. The community is somewhat walkable with a WalkScore® of 50.

Downtown Columbia

Average Rent

$2,725/Month

Year-Over-Year Rent Change

0.7%

TransitScore® Rating

50/100

Units Available

184 Rentals

Downtown Columbia is an affordable neighborhood in Columbia with an average rent price of $2,725. Compare this to the city average of $1,853. In the past year, rent prices have decreased by 0.7%. Downtown Columbia provides easy access to Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall, North Linthicum, and CCBC Cantonsville. It’s a walkable neighborhood with a WalkScore® of 73.

Ready to make your move to Columbia? Check out the rent specials, price drops, and great deals on ApartmentFinder.com!

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.