Columbus Apartments and Rentals

Columbus Ohio may be tried and true, but it certainly isn't in a rut. People tend to picture this state capital as good enough for grandpa, but that's hardly half of it. If you rent a Columbus apartment, you'll discover why Forbes Magazine rated this city number one on its list of up-and-coming tech centers. Others have noted Columbus' charm, too. Business Week recently called the city the best place in America to raise a family.

Named for Christopher Columbus, this city was founded in 1812 specifically to be the state capital. Early life here was hard, but improved transportation allowed immigrants to boost the population up to sustainable size. By 1857, the Ohio Statehouse was finally ready and Columbus got busy seeking its destiny. This city prospered building buggies and later became a center for organized labor. Both the American Federation of Labor and the United Mine Workers of America were founded in Columbus.

If you're new to town, you'll get the hang of Columbus quickly. North of Downtown, Ohio State University supports student-style businesses. Visit Easton Town Center to find upscale eateries and open-air shopping. If you'd rather enjoy a leisurely stroll, German Village is a picturesque place to take the air. The Arena District puts itself forward as your first stop for nightlife.

Columbus' diverse economy allows it weather recessions well. This has held true for over a century. Education, government, insurance, banking, fashion, defense, aviation, food, logistics, steel, energy, medicine, hospitality, retail, and technology-all these industries offer employment in Columbus. The world's largest private research foundation, Battelle Memorial Institute, calls this city home. You'll also find Chemical Abstracts Service, NetJets, Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, and Big Lots based here.

Both Ohio State University and Columbus State Community College welcome students to this city. Ohio State has one of the largest campuses in the country, with over 50,000 students. There are a healthy number of private colleges in Columbus as well, including Fortis College, Franklin University, and DeVry University.

Columbus is a wonderfully inexpensive place to call home. You can rent a two-bedroom apartment in Columbus for an average of just $720 a month. The vacancy rate in Columbus is on the high side of normal at 8.6 percent, meaning it's not too hard to find an apartment either. In general, you'll enjoy a low cost of living here. Your money goes ten percent farther in Columbus than it would elsewhere in the country on average.

If you're looking to head out on the town in Columbus, you'll find options to suit most tastes. If you're into classical entertainments, there's the Columbus Museum of Art, the Wexner Center for the Arts, the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, and the Actors Theatre of Columbus. If you've got inquiring young minds in tow, try the Center of Science and Industry or the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. If you want to rock out, concert venues in Columbus include Nationwide Arena, the Jerome Schottenstein Center, and Newport Music Hall.

If the thrill of competition is more your thing, the Columbus Blue Jackets of the NHL can tear up the ice. There's also a Major League Soccer team, the Columbus Crew, and the Columbus Clippers playing Triple-A baseball in town. If you have any interest in college football, the Ohio State Buckeyes annual game against the University of Michigan Wolverines shouldn't be missed.

To get the most of your time in Columbus, stop in at the annual Arnold Classic fitness competition, hosted by Arnold Schwarzenegger himself. This uniquely Columbus event draws in 12,000 athletes. Also in town, the All American Quarter Horse Congress presents the largest single breed horse show in the world. Other Columbus calendar highlights include the Ohio State Fair, the Columbus Arts Festival, the Jazz and Ribs Festival, JuneteenthOhio Festival, and the Hot Times Festival.

If a Columbus apartment is sounding right for you, why not let Rent.com® offer some assistance? Browse our rental listings to see what grabs your eye.