Best Affordable Neighborhoods in Columbus, OH

Some of the cheapest neighborhoods in Columbus are Busch, Kimberly Villas Condominiums, and Lincoln Village South. These neighborhoods offer some of the lowest rent prices in Columbus, making them ideal for renters on a budget. As of January 8, 2026, the average rent in Columbus is $1,140, 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.

Busch

Average Rent

$812/Month

Year-Over-Year Rent Change

0.4%

TransitScore® Rating

20/100

Units Available

14 Rentals

Busch is an affordable neighborhood in Columbus with an average rent price of $812. Compare this to the city average of $1,140. In the past year, rent prices have increased by 0.4%. Busch provides easy access to Ohio Dominican University, Highbanks Metro Park, and Wilson Bridge Plaza. It’s a car-dependent neighborhood with a WalkScore® of 46.

Kimberly Villas Condominiums

Average Rent

$853/Month

Units Available

10 Rentals

If you’re looking for a great, affordable neighborhood in Columbus, Kimberly Villas Condominiums might be the perfect place! It has an average rent price of $853, while the city’s average stands at $1,140. Kimberly Villas Condominiums is near Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Garden, Three Creeks Metro Park, and Pickerington Ponds Metro Park.

Lincoln Village South

Average Rent

$867/Month

TransitScore® Rating

0/100

Units Available

18 Rentals

Lincoln Village South is a top choice for budget-conscious renters for a variety of reasons. The average rent in Lincoln Village South is $867 while the city average is $1,140. Residents enjoy convenient access to Columbus Coll. of Art & Design, Grange Insurance Audubon Center, and Lincoln Village Plaza. The neighborhood is considered somewhat walkable with a WalkScore® of 68.

North Hilltop

Average Rent

$871/Month

Year-Over-Year Rent Change

1%

TransitScore® Rating

33/100

Units Available

17 Rentals

When you’re looking for a great Columbus neighborhood on a budget, check out North Hilltop. The average rent is $871, compared to the city average of $1,140. Rent prices have increased by 1%. North Hilltop is convenient to Chadwick Arboretum and Learning Gardens, John Glenn Columbus International, and Center of Science and Industry (COSI). The community is somewhat walkable with a WalkScore® of 61.

Pine Hills

Average Rent

$892/Month

Year-Over-Year Rent Change

1.7%

TransitScore® Rating

31/100

Units Available

11 Rentals

Pine Hills is an affordable neighborhood in Columbus with an average rent price of $892. Compare this to the city average of $1,140. In the past year, rent prices have decreased by 1.7%. Pine Hills provides easy access to Three Creeks Metro Park, Capital University, and Ohio Dominican University. It’s a car-dependent neighborhood with a WalkScore® of 18.

Central Hilltop

Average Rent

$899/Month

Year-Over-Year Rent Change

0.1%

TransitScore® Rating

36/100

Units Available

10 Rentals

If you’re looking for a great, affordable neighborhood in Columbus, Central Hilltop might be the perfect place! It has an average rent price of $899, while the city’s average stands at $1,140. In the last year, prices have decreased by 0.1%. Central Hilltop is near Columbus Coll. of Art & Design, Center of Science and Industry (COSI), and Franklinton Square.

Randels

Average Rent

$905/Month

Units Available

47 Rentals

Randels is a top choice for budget-conscious renters for a variety of reasons. The average rent in Randels is $905 while the city average is $1,140. Residents enjoy convenient access to John Glenn Columbus International, Morse Centre, and Sharon Woods Metro Park.

Salem Village

Average Rent

$910/Month

Year-Over-Year Rent Change

2.1%

TransitScore® Rating

31/100

Units Available

54 Rentals

When you’re looking for a great Columbus neighborhood on a budget, check out Salem Village. The average rent is $910, compared to the city average of $1,140. Rent prices have decreased by 2.1%. Salem Village is convenient to Inniswood Gardens, Highbanks Metro Park, and Otterbein College. The community is somewhat walkable with a WalkScore® of 53.

Eastland

Average Rent

$911/Month

Year-Over-Year Rent Change

2.5%

TransitScore® Rating

33/100

Units Available

72 Rentals

Eastland is an affordable neighborhood in Columbus with an average rent price of $911. Compare this to the city average of $1,140. In the past year, rent prices have decreased by 2.5%. Eastland provides easy access to Three Creeks Metro Park, Blacklick Woods Metro Park, and Franklin University. It’s a car-dependent neighborhood with a WalkScore® of 45.

Forest Park East

Average Rent

$916/Month

Year-Over-Year Rent Change

1.2%

TransitScore® Rating

35/100

Units Available

42 Rentals

If you’re looking for a great, affordable neighborhood in Columbus, Forest Park East might be the perfect place! It has an average rent price of $916, while the city’s average stands at $1,140. In the last year, prices have increased by 1.2%. Forest Park East is near Tamarack Circle, Weitkamp Observatory, and Rocky Fork Metro Park.

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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.