Most Affordable Neighborhoods in Columbia, MD
Some of the cheapest neighborhoods in Columbia are Kings Contrivance, Oakland Mills, and Fairway Hills. These neighborhoods offer some of the lowest rent prices in Columbia, making them ideal for renters on a budget. As of May 4, 2025, the average rent in Columbia is $1,914, which is 1% lower 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.
Kings Contrivance
Average Rent
$1,740/Month
Year-Over-Year Rent Change
2.6%
TransitScore® Rating
30/100
Units Available
21 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 $1,740, while the city’s average stands at $1,914. In the last year, prices have decreased by 2.6%. Kings Contrivance is near Browns Bridge Recreation Area, Ronald Reagan Washington Ntl, and Columbia Market.
Oakland Mills
Average Rent
$1,772/Month
Year-Over-Year Rent Change
1.9%
TransitScore® Rating
36/100
Units Available
51 Rentals
Oakland Mills is a top choice for budget-conscious renters for a variety of reasons. The average rent in Oakland Mills is $1,772 while the city average is $1,914. This is a -1.9% difference from last year. Residents enjoy convenient access to Bwi Business District, Coppin State University, and Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum. The neighborhood is considered car-dependent with a WalkScore® of 43.
Fairway Hills
Average Rent
$1,891/Month
Year-Over-Year Rent Change
0.3%
TransitScore® Rating
29/100
Units Available
38 Rentals
When you’re looking for a great Columbia neighborhood on a budget, check out Fairway Hills. The average rent is $1,891, compared to the city average of $1,914. Rent prices have decreased by 0.3%. Fairway Hills is convenient to Ronald Reagan Washington Ntl, Mt Pleasant - Howard County Conservancy, and Bwi Business District. The community is car-dependent with a WalkScore® of 37.
Long Reach
Average Rent
$2,021/Month
Year-Over-Year Rent Change
2.7%
TransitScore® Rating
36/100
Units Available
39 Rentals
Long Reach is an affordable neighborhood in Columbia with an average rent price of $2,021. Compare this to the city average of $1,914. In the past year, rent prices have decreased by 2.7%. Long Reach provides easy access to Ronald Reagan Washington Ntl, North Linthicum, and Long Reach Village Center. It’s a car-dependent neighborhood with a WalkScore® of 48.
Wilde Lake
Average Rent
$2,046/Month
Year-Over-Year Rent Change
2.2%
TransitScore® Rating
45/100
Units Available
50 Rentals
If you’re looking for a great, affordable neighborhood in Columbia, Wilde Lake might be the perfect place! It has an average rent price of $2,046, while the city’s average stands at $1,914. In the last year, prices have decreased by 2.2%. Wilde Lake is near Banneker Planetarium, Pigtail Recreation Area, and Clark's Elioak Farm.
Harper's Choice
Average Rent
$2,051/Month
Year-Over-Year Rent Change
0.4%
TransitScore® Rating
26/100
Units Available
47 Rentals
Harper's Choice is a top choice for budget-conscious renters for a variety of reasons. The average rent in Harper's Choice is $2,051 while the city average is $1,914. This is a -0.4% difference from last year. Residents enjoy convenient access to Wilde Lake, Brighton Dam's Azalea Garden, and The Mall In Columbia. The neighborhood is considered car-dependent with a WalkScore® of 45.
Owen Brown
Average Rent
$2,119/Month
Year-Over-Year Rent Change
1.3%
TransitScore® Rating
36/100
Units Available
4 Rentals
When you’re looking for a great Columbia neighborhood on a budget, check out Owen Brown. The average rent is $2,119, compared to the city average of $1,914. Rent prices have increased by 1.3%. Owen Brown is convenient to Clark's Elioak Farm, Howard Community College, and CCBC Cantonsville. The community is somewhat walkable with a WalkScore® of 51.
Hickory Ridge
Average Rent
$2,360/Month
Year-Over-Year Rent Change
4.5%
TransitScore® Rating
33/100
Units Available
112 Rentals
Hickory Ridge is an affordable neighborhood in Columbia with an average rent price of $2,360. Compare this to the city average of $1,914. In the past year, rent prices have increased by 4.5%. Hickory Ridge provides easy access to Ronald Reagan Washington Ntl, Hickory Ridge, and Brighton Dam's Azalea Garden. It’s a somewhat walkable neighborhood with a WalkScore® of 50.
Downtown Columbia
Average Rent
$3,138/Month
Year-Over-Year Rent Change
2.3%
TransitScore® Rating
50/100
Units Available
194 Rentals
If you’re looking for a great, affordable neighborhood in Columbia, Downtown Columbia might be the perfect place! It has an average rent price of $3,138, while the city’s average stands at $1,914. In the last year, prices have decreased by 2.3%. Downtown Columbia is near Browns Bridge Recreation Area, Howard Community College, and Dorsey.
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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.