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Affordable & Income-Based Housing in Columbus

Columbus, MS has 15 affordable and income-based rental properties offering 806 units across the city. With a median market rent of $897 per month (Census ACS 5-Year), income-based housing can be a meaningful option for the 52% of Columbus households who rent. All 5 properties with inspection scores on record earned an excellent rating.

15
Properties
806
Total units
95/100
Avg HUD score

At a glance

🏠 Affordability
$897/mo

Affordability in Columbus, MS

According to Census ACS 5-Year data (as of 2024), the median monthly rent in Columbus is $897 and the median household income is $42,235 annually. Just over half of Columbus residents -- 52% -- are renters, making access to affordable and income-based housing an important resource for the community.

Census ACS 5-Year
🛡️ Safety

Safety

No violent crime rate figure is available for Columbus, MS in our current data. For local public safety information, the Columbus Police Department and the FBI Crime Data Explorer are good starting points -- and keep in mind that crime rates are not directly comparable across cities due to differences in reporting methods and definitions.

FBI Crime Data Explorer
🚶 Getting around
Walk Score 44 · Car-Dependent

Getting Around Columbus

According to Walk Score, the area around assisted properties in Columbus scores 44 out of 100 (Car-Dependent), with a Bike Score of 37 out of 100. No Transit Score is available. These scores reflect walkability and bikeability near the listed properties, not the city as a whole.

  • Walk Score: 44 - Car-Dependent
  • Bike Score: 37
  • Transit Score: Not available
Walk Score
🎓 Schools
17 schools · 3 districts

Schools

Columbus is served by 17 schools across 3 districts, including 7 elementary, 2 middle, and 8 high schools, according to NCES Common Core of Data. Quality and programs vary by school and district, so renters should check the assigned schools for a specific address before signing a lease.

NCES Common Core of Data
📊 Cost of living
$42,235 median income

Cost of Living in Columbus, MS

The median household income in Columbus is $42,235 per year, according to the Census ACS 5-Year estimate. The median gross rent is $897 per month, according to the same source.

Income-based and HUD-assisted housing in Columbus is priced to remain affordable relative to local incomes, making it a practical option for renters who qualify. About 52% of Columbus residents rent their homes, according to Census ACS 5-Year data, reflecting a strong renter presence in the city.

Census ACS 5-Year
🌊 Environment & risk

Flood and Environmental Exposure

All 5 HUD-assisted properties in Columbus have been mapped for flood risk. None are located in a high-risk flood zone, which is a reassuring finding for renters concerned about flood exposure.

FEMA · EPA AirNow
HUD Inspection Scoresavg 95/100(5 of 15 scored)
90+ (5)No score (10)

15 properties on the map

Top-rated properties

Browse all 15 affordable apartments in Columbus

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About Affordable Housing in Columbus, MS

Columbus is a renter-majority city -- according to Census ACS 5-Year data, 52 percent of households rent -- with a median household income of $42,235 and a median market rent of $897 per month. Affordable and income-based housing plays a meaningful role here for many residents.

Lease Lantern has identified 5 HUD-assisted or income-restricted properties in Columbus, covering 340 total units. All 5 properties received an excellent HUD inspection score, with an average score of 95 across all scored properties.

None of the 5 mapped properties carry a high flood risk designation, which is a reassuring baseline for renters evaluating long-term stability.

Columbus is car-dependent. According to Walk Score, the city holds a walk score of 44 and a bike score of 37, so reliable personal transportation is an important factor to plan for when considering a home here.

According to NCES Common Core of Data, Columbus is served by 3 school districts with 17 public schools, including 7 elementary, 2 middle, and 8 high schools.

Eligibility & how to apply

Helpful guides

Research: what 22,600 HUD inspection scores reveal →