Best Affordable Neighborhoods in Columbia, MD
Some of the cheapest neighborhoods in Columbia are The Pines, Kings Contrivance, and Dickinson. These neighborhoods offer some of the lowest rent prices in Columbia, making them ideal for renters on a budget. As of November 13, 2025, the average rent in Columbia is $1,864, which is 0.5% 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.
The Pines
Average Rent
$1,588/Month
Units Available
12 Rentals
If you’re looking for a great, affordable neighborhood in Columbia, The Pines might be the perfect place! It has an average rent price of $1,588, while the city’s average stands at $1,864. The Pines is near Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall, Dorsey, and Kings Contrivance Village Center.
Kings Contrivance
Average Rent
$1,672/Month
Year-Over-Year Rent Change
0.1%
TransitScore® Rating
30/100
Units Available
36 Rentals
Kings Contrivance is a top choice for budget-conscious renters for a variety of reasons. The average rent in Kings Contrivance is $1,672 while the city average is $1,864. This is a 0.1% difference from last year. Residents enjoy convenient access to Browns Bridge Recreation Area, Patuxent Research Refuge - North Tract, and UMBC. The neighborhood is considered car-dependent with a WalkScore® of 27.
Dickinson
Average Rent
$1,693/Month
TransitScore® Rating
31/100
Units Available
21 Rentals
When you’re looking for a great Columbia neighborhood on a budget, check out Dickinson. The average rent is $1,693, compared to the city average of $1,864. Dickinson is convenient to Clark's Elioak Farm, UMBC, and Brighton Dam's Azalea Garden. The community is somewhat walkable with a WalkScore® of 60.
Talbot Springs
Average Rent
$1,701/Month
TransitScore® Rating
35/100
Units Available
24 Rentals
Talbot Springs is an affordable neighborhood in Columbia with an average rent price of $1,701. Compare this to the city average of $1,864. Talbot Springs provides easy access to The Mall In Columbia, Merriweather District, and Coppin State University. It’s a car-dependent neighborhood with a WalkScore® of 36.
Phelps Luck
Average Rent
$1,739/Month
TransitScore® Rating
36/100
Units Available
15 Rentals
If you’re looking for a great, affordable neighborhood in Columbia, Phelps Luck might be the perfect place! It has an average rent price of $1,739, while the city’s average stands at $1,864. Phelps Luck is near Dobbin Station, Mt Pleasant - Howard County Conservancy, and Clark's Elioak Farm.
Stevens Forest
Average Rent
$1,743/Month
TransitScore® Rating
36/100
Units Available
20 Rentals
Stevens Forest is a top choice for budget-conscious renters for a variety of reasons. The average rent in Stevens Forest is $1,743 while the city average is $1,864. Residents enjoy convenient access to Dorsey, Bwi Airport, and Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum. The neighborhood is considered somewhat walkable with a WalkScore® of 63.
Huntington
Average Rent
$1,745/Month
TransitScore® Rating
20/100
Units Available
18 Rentals
When you’re looking for a great Columbia neighborhood on a budget, check out Huntington. The average rent is $1,745, compared to the city average of $1,864. Huntington is convenient to Dorsey, Clark's Elioak Farm, and Historic Savage Mill. The community is car-dependent with a WalkScore® of 19.
Kendall Ridge
Average Rent
$1,797/Month
TransitScore® Rating
37/100
Units Available
13 Rentals
Kendall Ridge is an affordable neighborhood in Columbia with an average rent price of $1,797. Compare this to the city average of $1,864. Kendall Ridge provides easy access to UMBC, Columbia Corporate Park 100, and Dorsey. It’s a car-dependent neighborhood with a WalkScore® of 35.
Oakland Mills
Average Rent
$1,802/Month
Year-Over-Year Rent Change
2.7%
TransitScore® Rating
36/100
Units Available
46 Rentals
If you’re looking for a great, affordable neighborhood in Columbia, Oakland Mills might be the perfect place! It has an average rent price of $1,802, while the city’s average stands at $1,864. In the last year, prices have increased by 2.7%. Oakland Mills is near Dorsey, Browns Bridge Recreation Area, and Banneker Planetarium.
Long Reach
Average Rent
$1,811/Month
Year-Over-Year Rent Change
4.5%
TransitScore® Rating
36/100
Units Available
41 Rentals
Long Reach is a top choice for budget-conscious renters for a variety of reasons. The average rent in Long Reach is $1,811 while the city average is $1,864. This is a 4.5% difference from last year. Residents enjoy convenient access to Banneker Planetarium, Ronald Reagan Washington Ntl, and UMBC. The neighborhood is considered car-dependent with a WalkScore® of 48.
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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.