Best Affordable Neighborhoods in Columbia, MD
Some of the cheapest neighborhoods in Columbia are Stevens Forest, The Pines, and Huntington. These neighborhoods offer some of the lowest rent prices in Columbia, making them ideal for renters on a budget. As of December 29, 2025, the average rent in Columbia is $1,871, which is 0.8% 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.
Stevens Forest
Average Rent
$1,642/Month
TransitScore® Rating
36/100
Units Available
28 Rentals
Stevens Forest is a top choice for budget-conscious renters for a variety of reasons. The average rent in Stevens Forest is $1,642 while the city average is $1,871. Residents enjoy convenient access to Oakland Mills, Howard Community College, and Banneker Planetarium. The neighborhood is considered somewhat walkable with a WalkScore® of 63.
The Pines
Average Rent
$1,672/Month
Units Available
10 Rentals
When you’re looking for a great Columbia neighborhood on a budget, check out The Pines. The average rent is $1,672, compared to the city average of $1,871. The Pines is convenient to CCBC Cantonsville, Fairland Regional Park, and Owen Brown South Commercial Center II.
Huntington
Average Rent
$1,753/Month
TransitScore® Rating
20/100
Units Available
18 Rentals
Huntington is an affordable neighborhood in Columbia with an average rent price of $1,753. Compare this to the city average of $1,871. Huntington provides easy access to Browns Bridge Recreation Area, CCBC Cantonsville, and UMBC. It’s a car-dependent neighborhood with a WalkScore® of 19.
Kings Contrivance
Average Rent
$1,756/Month
Year-Over-Year Rent Change
0.8%
TransitScore® Rating
30/100
Units Available
37 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 $1,756, while the city’s average stands at $1,871. In the last year, prices have increased by 0.8%. Kings Contrivance is near Fairland Regional Park, Columbia Market, and Clark's Elioak Farm.
Talbot Springs
Average Rent
$1,757/Month
TransitScore® Rating
35/100
Units Available
35 Rentals
Talbot Springs is a top choice for budget-conscious renters for a variety of reasons. The average rent in Talbot Springs is $1,757 while the city average is $1,871. Residents enjoy convenient access to Dorsey, UMBC, and Bwi Business District. The neighborhood is considered car-dependent with a WalkScore® of 36.
Oakland Mills
Average Rent
$1,776/Month
Year-Over-Year Rent Change
2.4%
TransitScore® Rating
36/100
Units Available
55 Rentals
When you’re looking for a great Columbia neighborhood on a budget, check out Oakland Mills. The average rent is $1,776, compared to the city average of $1,871. Rent prices have decreased by 2.4%. Oakland Mills is convenient to Dorsey, Coppin State University, and Oakland Mills. The community is car-dependent with a WalkScore® of 43.
Dickinson
Average Rent
$1,790/Month
TransitScore® Rating
31/100
Units Available
23 Rentals
Dickinson is an affordable neighborhood in Columbia with an average rent price of $1,790. Compare this to the city average of $1,871. Dickinson provides easy access to Kings Contrivance Village Center, Howard Community College, and Ronald Reagan Washington Ntl. It’s a somewhat walkable neighborhood with a WalkScore® of 60.
Phelps Luck
Average Rent
$1,798/Month
TransitScore® Rating
36/100
Units Available
16 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 $1,798, while the city’s average stands at $1,871. Phelps Luck is near Linthicum, Mt Pleasant - Howard County Conservancy, and Banneker Planetarium.
Long Reach
Average Rent
$1,854/Month
Year-Over-Year Rent Change
7.6%
TransitScore® Rating
36/100
Units Available
38 Rentals
Long Reach is a top choice for budget-conscious renters for a variety of reasons. The average rent in Long Reach is $1,854 while the city average is $1,871. This is a 7.6% difference from last year. Residents enjoy convenient access to Banneker Planetarium, Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall, and Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum. The neighborhood is considered car-dependent with a WalkScore® of 48.
Harper's Choice
Average Rent
$1,875/Month
Year-Over-Year Rent Change
1.9%
TransitScore® Rating
26/100
Units Available
40 Rentals
When you’re looking for a great Columbia neighborhood on a budget, check out Harper's Choice. The average rent is $1,875, compared to the city average of $1,871. Rent prices have increased by 1.9%. Harper's Choice is convenient to UMBC, Ronald Reagan Washington Ntl, and Mt Pleasant - Howard County Conservancy. The community is car-dependent with a WalkScore® of 44.
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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.