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Affordable & Income-Based Housing in Columbia

Columbia, SC has 99 affordable and income-based rental properties with 8,049 total units across the city. With a median market rent of $1,204 per month (Census ACS 5-Year) and a median household income of $55,529 (Census ACS 5-Year), income-based housing can be a meaningful option for many of Columbia's renters, who make up 54% of households.

99
Properties
8,049
Total units
90/100
Avg HUD score

At a glance

🏠 Affordability
$1,204/mo

Affordability

Columbia's median household income is $55,529 and the median monthly rent is $1,204, according to Census ACS 5-Year data (as of 2024). With 54% of residents renting, the city has a strong renter base, and Lease Lantern tracks 35 HUD-assisted or income-restricted properties totaling 3,105 units across Columbia.

Census ACS 5-Year
🛡️ Safety
770 / 100k · 2024

Safety

According to FBI Crime Data Explorer, the Columbia Police Department reported a violent crime rate of 770 per 100,000 residents in 2024. Crime rates are not directly comparable across cities due to differences in reporting practices and local definitions.

FBI Crime Data Explorer
🚶 Getting around
Walk Score 42 · Car-Dependent

Getting Around Columbia

The area around Columbia's assisted properties scores a 42 (Car-Dependent) for walkability, 33 (Some Transit) for transit, and 28 for bikeability, according to Walk Score. These scores reflect conditions near the assisted properties specifically, not the city as a whole.

  • Walk Score: 42 -- Car-Dependent
  • Transit Score: 33 -- Some Transit
  • Bike Score: 28

Most residents near these properties will likely need a car for daily errands, though some transit options are available.

Walk Score
🎓 Schools
79 schools · 7 districts

Schools

Columbia is served by 79 schools across 7 districts, including 42 elementary, 12 middle, and 24 high schools (plus 1 other), 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
$55,529 median income

Cost of Renting in Columbia, SC

The median household income in Columbia is $55,529 per year, according to Census ACS 5-Year data. The median monthly rent across all rentals in the city is $1,204, also per Census ACS 5-Year estimates.

Income-based and HUD-assisted housing can make a meaningful difference here. Rents at these properties are typically capped as a percentage of your household income, so your actual cost depends on what you earn rather than the open market rate.

  • Median household income: $55,529/year (Census ACS 5-Year)
  • Median market rent: $1,204/month (Census ACS 5-Year)
  • Renter households: 54% of occupied housing units (Census ACS 5-Year)
  • HUD-assisted units available: 3,105 across 35 properties in Columbia
Census ACS 5-Year
🌊 Environment & risk

Flood and Environmental Exposure

All 35 affordable housing properties in Columbia were mapped for flood risk. Only 1 is located in a high-risk flood zone, meaning the vast majority of properties carry low flood exposure based on available flood zone data.

FEMA · EPA AirNow
HUD Inspection Scoresavg 90/100(34 of 99 scored)
90+ (20)70–89 (12)<60 (2)No score (65)

99 properties on the map

Top-rated properties

Browse all 99 affordable apartments in Columbia→

Other cities in SC

› Affordable housing in Aiken› Anderson income-based apartments› Income-restricted rentals in Beaufort› Charleston affordable apartments› HUD & Section 8 housing in Easley› Affordable housing in Florence› Gaffney income-based apartments› Income-restricted rentals in Greenville› Greenwood affordable apartments› HUD & Section 8 housing in Holly Hill› Affordable housing in Laurens› Manning income-based apartments

Your rights & resources

› How HUD & Section 8 housing works› Tenant rights in SC› Housing assistance & waitlists› Free legal aid (LawHelp)› Energy bill help (LIHEAP)

Read more

About Affordable Housing in Columbia, SC

Columbia is South Carolina's capital city and home to a sizable stock of HUD-assisted and income-based rental housing. With 35 affordable properties and 3,105 total units tracked by Lease Lantern, renters have a meaningful range of options to explore across the city.

Of the 34 properties with inspection scores on record, 20 earned an excellent rating and 12 rated good, according to HUD inspection data. Only 2 properties rated poor, suggesting most of Columbia's assisted housing stock is reasonably well maintained.

One property out of 35 mapped falls in a high-risk flood zone, according to our flood data, so flood risk is limited but worth checking for specific addresses.

The median asking rent citywide is $1,204 per month, according to Census ACS 5-Year data (as of 2024). For context, the city's median household income is $55,529 annually, and 54 percent of Columbia residents rent rather than own their homes, both per Census ACS 5-Year data (as of 2024).

Columbia reported a violent crime rate of 770 per 100,000 residents for 2024, according to the FBI Crime Data Explorer (Columbia Police Department, annual period).

Getting around without a car can be challenging. Columbia scores 42 (Car-Dependent) for walkability, 33 (Some Transit) for public transit, and 28 for bikeability, according to Walk Score.

The city is served by 7 school districts encompassing 79 public schools -- including 42 elementary, 12 middle, and 24 high schools -- according to NCES Common Core of Data.

A Closer Look at Columbia

Eligibility & how to apply

South Carolina income limits (2026)South Carolina public housing authoritiesSection 8 waitlists in South Carolina

Helpful guides

How Section 8 Vouchers WorkWhat Is Income-Based Housing?How to Apply for Affordable HousingSection 8 vs. LIHTCUnderstanding HUD Inspection ScoresHow Affordable Housing Waitlists Work
Research: what 22,600 HUD inspection scores reveal →