Rent to own Homes in Columbia, SC

In 1816, Columbia was a small town with 250 homes and more than 1,000 residents. There weren't even any municipal workers at the time - the adult citizens had to take turns clearing weeds and bushes to ensure the streets were clean and neat. Columbia didn't get its charter as a city until 1854. It was the headquarters for many Confederate agencies and a flourishing municipality until 1865 when Union soldiers burnt most of its structures to the ground. The city was always forward-thinking and invested in its infrastructure by paving streets for 17 blocks in 1908.

Columbia is still on the ball and now has a healthy, diverse economy. Major industries in the city include insurance information and technology, advanced manufacturing, transportation and logistics, health care, green energy production, and research, development, and discovery. Over a dozen colleges and universities also employ many of the city's residents. With a population of 131,671 spread over 132.21 square miles, Columbia has a comfortable density level with a nice mix of urban and suburban neighborhoods and open space. It might not be a major city, but it has most of the amenities of one. Its diverse residents enjoy the small-town feel of their mid-sized city, and you can, too - by moving into one of the rent-to-own homes in Columbia.

Columbia, SC is a great place for affordable rent-to-own homes! With a median household income of over $47,416 and a median rent of $956, the Columbia, SC rent-to-own market is more affordable than the traditional housing market which has shown tremendous growth across the U.S. and with it, aggressive competition for home purchases. With the current housing shortage trend it can make it harder to become a homeowner, including in Columbia, SC. This means higher than average down payments for homes and higher qualification standards for conventional home loans. With a rent-to-own property, tenants are also buyers. You can live in the house for a set amount of time before you purchase it, meaning that you get to know the house, your neighbors, and your community before making the final purchase. This enables you and your family to make the right choice based on both information and experience. Rent-to-own is also a great alternative way to get into a home if you have bad credit or don't have enough saved for a down payment.

Check out Columbia, SC rent to own homes for sale, which may include auction properties, for sale by owner, and more.
Showing 1 - 44 of 176
Hot
212 POND RIDGE RD E
Rent To Own
 
Single Family Home
Columbia, SC 29223
3
3
1500 ft2
1981
105 GAMECOCK DR
Rent To Own
 
Single Family Home
Blythewood, SC 29016
3
2
1351 ft2
1994
146 ADLER RD
Rent To Own
 
Single Family Home
West Columbia, SC 29170
5
4
2800 ft2
2007
113 TARPARLIN DR
Rent To Own
 
Single Family Home
Lexington, SC 29073
3
2
1178 ft2
1989
Hot
5661 COLD STREAM DR
Rent To Own
 
Single Family Home
Dalzell, SC 29040
3
2
1176 ft2
1986
1120 Fallingwater Ln
Rent To Own
 
Single Family Home
Sumter, SC 29154
4
3
2083 ft2
2000
1009 BRIDGEWATER RD
Rent To Own
 
Single Family Home
Batesburg, SC 29006
3
2
2009 ft2
2007
1 of 24 2037 PIEDMONT ST
Rent To Own
 
Single Family Home
Newberry, SC 29108
2
1
959 ft2
New
1137 CARTER RD
Rent To Own
 
Single Family Home
Summerton, SC 29148
3
1
1125 ft2
1972
2712 CHESTNUT ST
Rent to Own Eligible
Pinehurst
Single Family Home
Columbia, SC 29204
3
1
1208 ft2
1946
1929 BLUFF RD #21
Rent to Own Eligible
 
Single Family Home
Columbia, SC 29201
4
4
1592 ft2
2008
2105 WOODMERE DR
Rent to Own Eligible
 
Single Family Home
Columbia, SC 29204
3
3
2085 ft2
1963
4020 MACGREGOR DR
Rent to Own Eligible
 
Single Family Home
Columbia, SC 29206
5
3
2334 ft2
1939
1210 WOODROW ST
Rent to Own Eligible
 
Single Family Home
Columbia, SC 29205
2
1
1163 ft2
1925
328 HESTER CT
Rent to Own Eligible
 
Single Family Home
Columbia, SC 29223
4
3
1816 ft2
2008
1346 IDALIA DR
Rent to Own Eligible
 
Single Family Home
Columbia, SC 29206
4
2
2309 ft2
1947
1 of 38 3626 WILMOT AVE
Rent to Own Eligible
Shandon
Single Family Home
Columbia, SC 29205
4
3
2700 ft2
1910
New
1 of 45 116 E SPRINGS RD
Rent to Own Eligible
 
Single Family Home
Columbia, SC 29223
4
4
2614 ft2
1976
New
124 ORCHARD PARK RD
Rent to Own Eligible
 
Single Family Home
Columbia, SC 29223
3
3
1852 ft2
2020
413 LOCKLEVEN DR
Rent to Own Eligible
 
Single Family Home
Columbia, SC 29223
3
2
1118 ft2
2001
1929 BLUFF RD UNIT 171
Rent to Own Eligible
 
Single Family Home
Columbia, SC 29201
4
4
1753 ft2
2009
1 of 118 108 SWEETOAK DR
Rent to Own Eligible
 
Single Family Home
Columbia, SC 29223
5
3
1815 ft2
2004
New
123 VALLEY SPRINGS RD
Rent to Own Eligible
 
Single Family Home
Columbia, SC 29223
4
3
2698 ft2
1979
New
600 ATHENA DR
Rent to Own Eligible
 
Single Family Home
Columbia, SC 29223
3
2
1482 ft2
1977
New
107 LEANING TREE RD
Rent to Own Eligible
 
Single Family Home
Columbia, SC 29223
4
4
3827 ft2
2006
2713 GLENWOOD RD
Rent to Own Eligible
Midland Terrace
Single Family Home
Columbia, SC 29204
3
2
1220 ft2
1955
2630 STRATFORD RD
Rent to Own Eligible
Forest Hills
Single Family Home
Columbia, SC 29204
5
4
4205 ft2
1936
442 OAKBROOK VILLAGE RD
Rent to Own Eligible
Oakbrook Village
Single Family Home
Columbia, SC 29223
4
3
2470 ft2
1998
412 ABE CIR
Rent to Own Eligible
 
Single Family Home
Columbia, SC 29223
4
3
2328 ft2
2010
New
101 DEER HOUND TRL
Rent to Own Eligible
 
Single Family Home
Columbia, SC 29223
3
3
1812 ft2
1987
106 LEANING TREE RD
Rent to Own Eligible
 
Single Family Home
Columbia, SC 29223
4
5
4533 ft2
2004
321 PATRICK DR
Rent to Own Eligible
 
Single Family Home
Columbia, SC 29223
4
3
2281 ft2
2010
New
529 LIVEBARK LN
Rent to Own Eligible
 
Single Family Home
Lexington, SC 29073
3
2
1401 ft2
1993
New
117 MICALA DR
Rent to Own Eligible
 
Single Family Home
West Columbia, SC 29170
3
2
1270 ft2
1986
New
222 COLCHESTER DR
Rent to Own Eligible
 
Single Family Home
Columbia, SC 29223
3
2
1296 ft2
1995
305 LILIANA DR
Rent to Own Eligible
 
Single Family Home
Columbia, SC 29223
3
3
1907 ft2
2020
107 CREPE MYRTLE CIR
Rent to Own Eligible
 
Single Family Home
Lexington, SC 29073
4
5
3885 ft2
1985
1 of 94 42 WAYBROOK CT
Rent to Own Eligible
 
Single Family Home
Columbia, SC 29212
5
3
2432 ft2
2015
Hot New
109 ROBIN FOREST DR
Rent to Own Eligible
 
Single Family Home
West Columbia, SC 29170
3
3
1976 ft2
1985
New
1134 COLUMBIA COLLEGE DR
Rent to Own Eligible
 
Single Family Home
Columbia, SC 29203
3
1
1349 ft2
1945
420 LOST CREEK DR
Rent to Own Eligible
 
Single Family Home
Columbia, SC 29212
4
3
2361 ft2
1985
116 GENESSEE VALLEY RD
Rent to Own Eligible
 
Single Family Home
Columbia, SC 29223
3
3
2394 ft2
1985
New
3516 LAKELAND DR
Rent to Own Eligible
 
Single Family Home
Columbia, SC 29204
4
2
2046 ft2
1959
New
1 of 21 1027 COKESBURY DR
Rent to Own Eligible
Belmont
Single Family Home
Columbia, SC 29203
4
3
1793 ft2
1964
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Buying a Home in Columbia, SC

Columbia, SC is seeing rapid growth and Columbia, SC's' housing market remains optimal with an average home price that is -14% below the 2024 national average. Columbia, SC is part of Richland county and taxes are an important factor to consider when purchasing a home whether through rent to own or a traditional purchase. The average tax rate as of 2024 for county Richland is 0.76% which is below the national average, which is 0.99%.

Median Home Price in Columbia, SC

Median Rent in Columbia, SC

Rent to own homes offer low monthly payments and flexible terms.

Average Cost of Living in Columbia

Columbia is an extremely affordable place to live in. The city's overall cost of living is 4.2% lower than South Carolina's average and 15.7% lower than the national average. Health care and utilities are on the more expensive side, transportation and housing are on the low end, and groceries are average. The surrounding municipalities include Forest Acres, Lexington, Irmo, Dentsville, and Cayce. Forest Acres, Lexington, and Irmo are 9.3%, 6.9%, and 6.7% higher, while Dentsville and Cayce are .50% and 3.2% lower, respectively. Columbia is larger, more populous, and has more to offer its residents than neighboring towns, but it is still very affordable - even compared to the nearby municipalities.

Average Home Prices in Columbia

Though Columbia is the second-most populous city in the state, it has an excellent, reasonably-priced housing market. The median cost of a home in the city is $136,700. That's $33,400 less than South Carolina's average of $170,100 and $94,500 less than the United States' average of $231,200. Homes in other towns in the region range from $109,400 in Cayce to $196,800 in Forest Acres. It's surprising that Columbia's housing market is so affordable. It is one of the better cities for people looking to buy a rent-to-own home.

Columbia Statistics

If you're interested in Columbia rent-to-own homes, don't forget to consider important factors in addition to monthly living costs, such as average commute, taxes, crime rates, etc. The following are some common Columbia statistics compared to the U.S. national average.

Columbia Averages National Averages
One-Way Commute 15.2 minutes 26.4 minutes
Violent Crime 39.5 22.7
Property Crime 76.0 35.4
Unemployment Rate 3.7% 3.9%
Income Tax Rate 7.0% 4.6%
Air Quality 40 58
Water Quality 56 55
Median Household Income $41,454 $53,482
Median Property Taxes $700 $2,200
Utilities $470/month $112/month
Monthly Rent $1,090 $1,470
Median Home Cost $136,700 $231,200
Median Home Age 46 years 40 years

Popular Amenities and Attractions in Columbia

Columbia has a well-developed downtown. You can do plenty of shopping during the day until you're ready to sit down to a meal at one of the many fine restaurants located along Main Street. Visit the downtown museums, watch a movie, and even check out the statehouse and watch legislators go about their daily business. If you want to relax for a bit, you can visit Finlay Park, located alongside the heart of downtown. It encompasses 18 acres and has beautiful lakes and ponds, playgrounds, walking paths, picnic areas, and a café, and if you're there during the summer, you can catch an outdoor concert in the park. When it gets dark, the fun begins with live indoor performances in the downtown theaters and late-night dining and drinking at its bars and restaurants.

The city has more transportation options than expected for a municipality its size. Long-distance travelers can use the Columbia Metropolitan Airport to get to and from the city. Getting around town is a breeze with the city's affordable, neon Comet buses. To traverse the downtown, you can ride the Soda Cap Connector buses for free or take advantage of the city's bike-share program. If cars are more your thing, Uber, Lyft, and taxis operate throughout the area, and if you have your own vehicle, there are plenty of municipal parking garages and spaces available for a daily maximum of $10. The city even has a convenient app for its bike riders and parking garages.

Columbia has a diverse population, a vibrant downtown, a healthy economy, an excellent transportation system, and an affordable housing market. Check out some of the rent-to-own options in Columbia, and make this wonderful city your home.