Columbia, SC—29203
Real Estate Data & Market Trends
Key Metrics at a Glance
Home Price Trends — Columbia, SC
As of Oct '25, the median home price in Columbia, SC is $126,000, with a year-over-year change of -7.3%. This indicates that home prices in Columbia, SC are decreasing. According to Zillow, the 1-year price projection is 1.1%, suggesting an increase housing market in the next year.
Cost per Home Type
| Home Type | Median Home Value | YoY % Change |
|---|---|---|
All Homes | $126,000 | -7.3% |
| Single Family | $125,000 | -7.4% |
| Condos | N/A | N/A |
Cost per Home Size
| Home Size | Median Home Value | YoY % Change |
|---|---|---|
1 Bed | N/A | N/A |
2 Bed | $92,000 | -8.0% |
3 Bed | $139,000 | -6.1% |
4 Bed | $184,000 | 0.0% |
| 5 Bed | $262,000 | 0.8% |
% of Housing Stock
Rental Trends — Columbia, SC
As of July '25, Rentcast reports the average rent in Columbia, SC is $1,360, with a year-over-year rent change of 3.8%. Per bedroom, the median rent as of July '25 in Columbia, SC is 1-bedrooms: $943, 2-bedrooms: $1,200, 3-bedrooms: $1,560, 4-bedrooms: $1,900. The most common rental property sizes in Columbia, SC are 3-bedroom and 2-bedroom, accounting for 37.8% and 33.9% of the rental stock.
| Type | Median Rent | Average Rent |
|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,250 | $1,360 |
| Studio Rent | N/A | N/A |
| 1 Bed Rent | $909 | $943 |
| 2 Bed Rent | $1,250 | $1,200 |
| 3 Bed Rent | $1,600 | $1,560 |
| 4 Bed Rent | $2,000 | $1,900 |
% of Rental Stock
Property Listings — Columbia, SC
As of Oct '25, Realtor.com reports that the median days on market for a home in Columbia, SC is 51. This is a increase of 7.0% from last year, suggesting that homes are sitting on the market longer than last year. The percentage of listed homes with a reduced price is 16.0%, representing a small inventory and little supply pressure on home prices.
| Metric | Zip Code Average | Year over Year % Change |
|---|---|---|
Median Listing Price | $215,000 | 14.0% |
Listing Count | 116 | 14.0% |
| Listings as % of Homes | 0.2% | 14.0% |
Days on Market | 51 | 7.0% |
Demographics — Columbia, SC
As of the latest ACS Survey released in 2023, Columbia, SC has a population of 40,800, which has increased by 3.3% over the past 5 years. Columbia, SC is a moderately popular place for families, as children make up 23.6% of the population. The area has a poorly educated workforce, with 21.9% of adult residents holding a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are few residents working remotely, with 8.3% reporting working from home.
| Metric | Latest Census | YoY % Change |
|---|---|---|
Population | 40,800 | 3.3% |
% Under 18 | 23.6% | 2.6% |
% Seniors | 16.1% | 10.3% |
% WFH | 8.3% | 295.2% |
% w/ College Degree | 21.9% | 10.6% |
As of the latest ACS Survey released in 2023, Columbia, SC is a predominantly black area, with 80.4% of the population identifying as black. The black population has shrunk by 1.6% in the last 5 years. The second most common race or ethnicity in Columbia, SC is white, making up 12.8% of the population. Foreign-born residents account for 3.0% of the population in Columbia, SC, and this percentage has increased by 20.0% as of the ACS Survey 5 years prior, suggesting more immigrants are calling the area home.
Race and Ethnicity
| Metric | Latest Census | 5-Year % Change |
|---|---|---|
% White | 12.8% | 4.9% |
% Black | 80.4% | -1.6% |
% Hispanic | 4.6% | 43.8% |
% Asian | 0.4% | -69.2% |
% Foreign Born | 3.0% | 20.0% |
Mortgage and Risk — Columbia, SC
According to HUD data as of 2023, there were 259 mortgage originations in Columbia, SC, of which 64.0% of loans were conventional mortgages. The average loan-to-value was 70.0%, with 42.0% above 90% LTV (very high). This implies large mortgage risk in Columbia, SC. Investor activity is low, as 7.0% of loans were by investors. 12.0% of loans were cash-out refinances, suggesting many homeowners are tapping equity.
Mortgages
| Metric | Zip Code Average |
|---|---|
Total Loan Originations | 259 |
% Conventional Loans | 64.0% |
% Government Loans | 36.0% |
% Investor Loans | 7.0% |
% Second Loans | 2.0% |
% Cash Out Refinance | 12.0% |
Loan Activity
Rentals and Section 8 — Columbia, SC
As of 2024, the percent of homes in Columbia, SC under the Section 8 program is 30.1%. This is considered high, suggesting that the neighborhood is heavily composed of Section 8 homes. Section 8 opportunity is good when HUD pays more than market rent. 1-bedroom units appear to be good home sizes to consider for Section 8 housing in Columbia, SC, because HUD payments exceed market rent, while 2-bedroom and 3-bedroom and 4-bedroom units do not.
Section 8 Market Size
Total Units under HUD | 2,787 |
Total Units Section 8 | 2,392 |
% Rentals under Section 8 | 30.1% |
% Occupied Section 8 | 87.3% |
Section 8 Opportunity
| Home Size | HUD Premium | Market Rent | Max HUD Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Bedroom | $201 | $909 | $1,110 |
| 2 Bedroom | -$20 | $1,250 | $1,230 |
| 3 Bedroom | -$30 | $1,600 | $1,570 |
| 4 Bedroom | -$110 | $2,000 | $1,890 |
Affordability — Columbia, SC
Home Price to Income Ratio
| Metric | Zip Code Average |
|---|---|
| Home Price to Income Ratio | 2.9 |
| Median Home Price | $126,000 |
| Median Household Income | $42,400 |