Market Analysis
Columbus Rental Market
Rental investment market data and analysis · Updated October 2026
Median Home Price
$342,450
Average Monthly Rent
$1,520
Estimated Cap Rate
5.3%
Rent-to-Price Ratio
0.4%
Below 1% Rule
Rent ÷ price by zip code
0 of 4 clear the 1% rule · October 2026
| Zip | Median price | Median rent | Rent ÷ price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 43207 | $223,900 | $1,400 | 0.63% |
| 43215 | $399,999 | $1,685 | 0.42% |
| 43201 | $425,000 | $1,800 | 0.42% |
| 43229 | $284,900 | $1,195 | 0.42% |
Rent ÷ price over time
PacRent rent-to-price index · Columbus
Context · FRED home price index
Market Trends
Columbus metro area — % change since 2018
Home Prices
+88.9%
Rent Index
+36.2%
Average Rent by Bedroom
| Bedrooms | Avg Rent |
|---|---|
| Apartment | $1,267/mo |
| Townhouse | $1,525/mo |
| Condo | $1,625/mo |
| Multi-Family | $2,037/mo |
| Single Family | $2,387/mo |
Sample Investment Analysis
Based on median price + average rent, 20% down, 6.8% rate, 30yr
Purchase Price$342,450
Down Payment (20%)$68,490
Monthly P&I$1,786
Monthly Rent$1,520
Est. NOI$10,944/yr
Est. Cash Flow-$874/mo
Cash on Cash-13.9%
The Columbus market is cash-flow negative at median prices. Look for properties 15-20% below median or with value-add potential.
What Investors Should Know About Columbus
- 1Moderate cap rates suggest balanced cash flow and appreciation
- 21% Rule fails at median prices — need rent of $3,425/mo to pass
- 3Below-average rents keep entry costs low for new investors
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