Best Affordable Neighborhoods in Columbia, MD

Some of the cheapest neighborhoods in Columbia are Stevens Forest, Huntington, and Kings Contrivance. These neighborhoods offer some of the lowest rent prices in Columbia, making them ideal for renters on a budget. As of February 13, 2026, the average rent in Columbia is $1,873, which is 1.5% 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

$1,643/Month

TransitScore® Rating

36/100

Units Available

23 Rentals

Stevens Forest is a top choice for budget-conscious renters for a variety of reasons. The average rent in Stevens Forest is $1,643 while the city average is $1,873. Residents enjoy convenient access to Howard Community College, Coppin State University, and Mt Pleasant - Howard County Conservancy. The neighborhood is considered somewhat walkable with a WalkScore® of 63.

Huntington

Average Rent

$1,675/Month

TransitScore® Rating

20/100

Units Available

15 Rentals

When you’re looking for a great Columbia neighborhood on a budget, check out Huntington. The average rent is $1,675, compared to the city average of $1,873. Huntington is convenient to Historic Savage Mill, Ronald Reagan Washington Ntl, and Dorsey. The community is car-dependent with a WalkScore® of 19.

Kings Contrivance

Average Rent

$1,725/Month

Year-Over-Year Rent Change

2.9%

TransitScore® Rating

30/100

Units Available

33 Rentals

Kings Contrivance is an affordable neighborhood in Columbia with an average rent price of $1,725. Compare this to the city average of $1,873. In the past year, rent prices have decreased by 2.9%. Kings Contrivance provides easy access to Bowie State University, Dorsey, and Ronald Reagan Washington Ntl. It’s a car-dependent neighborhood with a WalkScore® of 27.

Running Brook

Average Rent

$1,732/Month

TransitScore® Rating

45/100

Units Available

11 Rentals

If you’re looking for a great, affordable neighborhood in Columbia, Running Brook might be the perfect place! It has an average rent price of $1,732, while the city’s average stands at $1,873. Running Brook is near Banneker Planetarium, CCBC Cantonsville, and Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum.

Phelps Luck

Average Rent

$1,746/Month

TransitScore® Rating

36/100

Units Available

21 Rentals

Phelps Luck is a top choice for budget-conscious renters for a variety of reasons. The average rent in Phelps Luck is $1,746 while the city average is $1,873. Residents enjoy convenient access to Clark's Elioak Farm, Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum, and CCBC Cantonsville. The neighborhood is considered somewhat walkable with a WalkScore® of 51.

Oakland Mills

Average Rent

$1,774/Month

Year-Over-Year Rent Change

3.8%

TransitScore® Rating

36/100

Units Available

53 Rentals

When you’re looking for a great Columbia neighborhood on a budget, check out Oakland Mills. The average rent is $1,774, compared to the city average of $1,873. Rent prices have decreased by 3.8%. Oakland Mills is convenient to Oakland Mills, Merriweather District, and Banneker Planetarium. The community is car-dependent with a WalkScore® of 43.

Talbot Springs

Average Rent

$1,775/Month

TransitScore® Rating

35/100

Units Available

32 Rentals

Talbot Springs is an affordable neighborhood in Columbia with an average rent price of $1,775. Compare this to the city average of $1,873. Talbot Springs provides easy access to Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall, Clark's Elioak Farm, and Bwi Airport. It’s a car-dependent neighborhood with a WalkScore® of 36.

Dickinson

Average Rent

$1,775/Month

TransitScore® Rating

31/100

Units Available

21 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 $1,775, while the city’s average stands at $1,873. Dickinson is near Fairland Regional Park, CCBC Cantonsville, and UMBC.

Hobbit's Glen

Average Rent

$1,783/Month

TransitScore® Rating

15/100

Units Available

12 Rentals

Hobbit's Glen is a top choice for budget-conscious renters for a variety of reasons. The average rent in Hobbit's Glen is $1,783 while the city average is $1,873. Residents enjoy convenient access to Dorsey, CCBC Cantonsville, and Brighton Dam's Azalea Garden. The neighborhood is considered car-dependent with a WalkScore® of 27.

Harper's Choice

Average Rent

$1,837/Month

Year-Over-Year Rent Change

1.5%

TransitScore® Rating

26/100

Units Available

32 Rentals

When you’re looking for a great Columbia neighborhood on a budget, check out Harper's Choice. The average rent is $1,837, compared to the city average of $1,873. Rent prices have decreased by 1.5%. Harper's Choice is convenient to Brighton Dam's Azalea Garden, Howard Community College, and Harper's Choice Village Center. 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.