The Columbia metro is home to 839,868 people (up 2.8% over five years), with a median household income of $66,146. Typical rent of $1,557/month works out to 28.2% of the median household income — near the 30% affordability threshold (Census ACS + Zillow, September 2026).
The share of Columbia's workforce by sector — the base of tenant demand:
| Sector | % of workforce |
|---|---|
| Education & health care | 23.9% |
| Professional & management | 11.0% |
| Retail trade | 10.7% |
| Manufacturing | 9.5% |
| Arts, food & hospitality | 8.4% |
Education & health care is the metro's largest employment base — sectors like education and health care are recession-resilient anchors for rental demand.
Rents at 28.2% of median income leave moderate headroom; underwrite rent growth conservatively. Market pricing, yields and the Star Score live on the Columbia market page; run a deal in the calculator.
At the 30%-of-income affordability rule, typical rent of $1,557/month suggests a household income around $62,000/year. The metro's median household income is $66,146.
By workforce share: Education & health care (23.9%), Professional & management (11.0%), Retail trade (10.7%) (Census ACS 5-year).