Market Analysis
Columbus Rental Market
Rental investment market data and analysis · Updated September 2026
Median Home Price
$344,700
Average Monthly Rent
$1,475
Estimated Cap Rate
5.1%
Rent-to-Price Ratio
0.4%
Below 1% Rule
Market Trends
Columbus metro area — % change since 2018
Home Prices
+88.9%
Rent Index
+36.2%
Average Rent by Bedroom
| Bedrooms | Avg Rent |
|---|---|
| Apartment | $1,223/mo |
| Condo | $1,449/mo |
| Townhouse | $1,573/mo |
| Multi-Family | $1,747/mo |
| Single Family | $2,351/mo |
Sample Investment Analysis
Based on median price + average rent, 20% down, 6.8% rate, 30yr
Purchase Price$344,700
Down Payment (20%)$68,940
Monthly P&I$1,798
Monthly Rent$1,475
Est. NOI$10,620/yr
Est. Cash Flow-$913/mo
Cash on Cash-14.4%
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 $3,447/mo to pass
- 3Below-average rents keep entry costs low for new investors
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