Most Affordable Neighborhoods in Columbia, MD

Some of the cheapest neighborhoods in Columbia are Stevens Forest, Talbot Springs North, and Phelps Luck. These neighborhoods offer some of the lowest rent prices in Columbia, making them ideal for renters on a budget. As of June 19, 2025, the average rent in Columbia is $1,895, which is 2.1% 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.

Stevens Forest

Average Rent

$1,607/Month

TransitScore® Rating

36/100

Units Available

30 Rentals

If you’re looking for a great, affordable neighborhood in Columbia, Stevens Forest might be the perfect place! It has an average rent price of $1,607, while the city’s average stands at $1,895. Stevens Forest is near Bwi Business District, Ronald Reagan Washington Ntl, and Dorsey.

Talbot Springs North

Average Rent

$1,607/Month

TransitScore® Rating

35/100

Units Available

30 Rentals

Talbot Springs North is a top choice for budget-conscious renters for a variety of reasons. The average rent in Talbot Springs North is $1,607 while the city average is $1,895. Residents enjoy convenient access to Clark's Elioak Farm, Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall, and The Mall In Columbia. The neighborhood is considered somewhat walkable with a WalkScore® of 50.

Phelps Luck

Average Rent

$1,751/Month

TransitScore® Rating

36/100

Units Available

20 Rentals

When you’re looking for a great Columbia neighborhood on a budget, check out Phelps Luck. The average rent is $1,751, compared to the city average of $1,895. Phelps Luck is convenient to Banneker Planetarium, UMBC, and CCBC Cantonsville. The community is somewhat walkable with a WalkScore® of 51.

Kings Contrivance

Average Rent

$1,767/Month

Year-Over-Year Rent Change

3.2%

TransitScore® Rating

30/100

Units Available

27 Rentals

Kings Contrivance is an affordable neighborhood in Columbia with an average rent price of $1,767. Compare this to the city average of $1,895. In the past year, rent prices have decreased by 3.2%. Kings Contrivance provides easy access to Owen Brown South Commercial Center II, Patuxent Research Refuge - North Tract, and Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum. It’s a car-dependent neighborhood with a WalkScore® of 27.

The Pines

Average Rent

$1,774/Month

Units Available

10 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 $1,774, while the city’s average stands at $1,895. The Pines is near Bowie State University, Dorsey, and Ronald Reagan Washington Ntl.

Huntington

Average Rent

$1,789/Month

TransitScore® Rating

20/100

Units Available

15 Rentals

Huntington is a top choice for budget-conscious renters for a variety of reasons. The average rent in Huntington is $1,789 while the city average is $1,895. Residents enjoy convenient access to Bwi Airport, Fairland Regional Park, and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall. The neighborhood is considered car-dependent with a WalkScore® of 19.

Oakland Mills

Average Rent

$1,796/Month

Year-Over-Year Rent Change

0.3%

TransitScore® Rating

36/100

Units Available

54 Rentals

When you’re looking for a great Columbia neighborhood on a budget, check out Oakland Mills. The average rent is $1,796, compared to the city average of $1,895. Rent prices have decreased by 0.3%. Oakland Mills is convenient to Dorsey, Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum, and Coppin State University. The community is car-dependent with a WalkScore® of 43.

Talbot Springs

Average Rent

$1,796/Month

TransitScore® Rating

35/100

Units Available

24 Rentals

Talbot Springs is an affordable neighborhood in Columbia with an average rent price of $1,796. Compare this to the city average of $1,895. Talbot Springs provides easy access to Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum, Banneker Planetarium, and Browns Bridge Recreation Area. It’s a car-dependent neighborhood with a WalkScore® of 36.

Dickinson

Average Rent

$1,814/Month

TransitScore® Rating

31/100

Units Available

14 Rentals

If you’re looking for a great, affordable neighborhood in Columbia, Dickinson might be the perfect place! It has an average rent price of $1,814, while the city’s average stands at $1,895. Dickinson is near Fairland Regional Park, Clark's Elioak Farm, and Brighton Dam's Azalea Garden.

Avalon Symphony Woods

Average Rent

$1,842/Month

TransitScore® Rating

47/100

Units Available

19 Rentals

Avalon Symphony Woods is a top choice for budget-conscious renters for a variety of reasons. The average rent in Avalon Symphony Woods is $1,842 while the city average is $1,895. Residents enjoy convenient access to Wilde Lake, Clark's Elioak Farm, and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall. The neighborhood is considered car-dependent with a WalkScore® of 32.

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.