📊 South Carolina · Housing Market 2026
Columbia Housing Market Data 2026
Median prices, cap rates, rent benchmarks, and investment outlook for Columbia, South Carolina — data sourced from Zillow, HUD FMR, and Census ACS.
🟡 Moderate Market
Median Price:$238,000
Cap Rate:7.1%
Vacancy:7.7%
$238,000
Median Home Price
YoY: +4.5%
7.1%
Avg Cap Rate
Cash-on-cash: 6.3%
$1,510
Median Rent (2BR/mo)
YoY: +3.0%
7.7%
Vacancy Rate
High — watch carefully
38 days
Days on Market
Moderate pace
$238,000 / 7.1%
Price / Cap Rate
🟡 Moderate Market
📈 Market Analysis — Columbia, SC
**2026 Columbia, SC Market Analysis: High-Yield Stability in the Southeast**
🏘️ Rent Breakdown — HUD Fair Market Rents
HUD Fair Market Rent represents the 40th percentile of gross rents paid by recent movers in Columbia. Used as a benchmark for Section 8 voucher limits and rental market analysis.
| Bedroom Count | Monthly Rent (HUD FMR) | Annual Rental Income | Est. Cap Rate at Median Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Bedroom | $1,160/mo | $13,920/yr | 4.1% est. |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,510/mo | $18,120/yr | 5.3% est. |
| 3 Bedrooms | $2,010/mo | $24,120/yr | 7.1% est. |
* Estimated cap rate uses the 70% rule (30% reserved for expenses). Actual cap rates vary by property and management style.
💰 Cost of Investing in Columbia
| Cost Item | Rate / Amount | Est. Annual Cost | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Property Tax | 0.6% effective rate | $1,309 | $109/mo |
| Homeowners Insurance | South Carolina avg premium | $2,000 | $167/mo |
| Total Tax + Insurance | Based on median home price of $238,000 | $276/mo | |
These figures reflect state-level averages. Property tax rates vary by county; insurance costs vary by property type, age, and claims history. Source: Tax Foundation (2025), NAIC (2024).
⚖️ How Columbia Compares to National Averages
Avg Cap Rate
7.1%
National avg: 5.5%
✓ Above average
Median Home Price
$238,000
National avg: $371,696
✓ More affordable
Vacancy Rate
7.7%
National avg: 7.8%
✓ Low vacancy
2BR Median Rent
$1,510/mo
National avg: $1,469/mo
Days on Market
38 days
National avg: 41 days
Price Growth YoY
+4.5%
National avg: +3.6%
National averages calculated across all 69 tracked US investor markets. A cap rate above the national average suggests stronger cash flow potential relative to purchase price.
🗺️ Nearby Markets in South Carolina
No other markets in this state.
🛠️ Tools for Analyzing Columbia Deals
Cap Rate Calculator
Calculate cap rate from NOI and property price
Cash Flow Calculator
Monthly cash flow after all expenses
Property Analysis
AI-powered deal analysis with Columbia market context
Should I Buy This?
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Rental Optimization
Optimize rents with HUD FMR data for Columbia
Market Intelligence
Full AI market report for Columbia, SC
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