Columbus is a fantastic city—home to Buckeye football, legendary food, and a craft brewery on every corner. But while the cost of living isn’t terrible, finding a rental that doesn’t force you to choose between paying rent and eating something other than instant ramen can be tricky. Luckily, several affordable Columbus suburbs offer cheaper rent, more space, and the ability to park without circling the block 17 times. Here’s a closer look at ten of the most affordable Columbus suburbs for renters in 2025.
Columbus’ housing market at a glance
Columbus has a solid job market, a strong arts scene, and, of course, Buckeye pride, but housing costs can still stretch your budget. Fortunately, several of the surrounding suburbs provide more affordable alternatives with extra space and easy access to the city. Take a quick look at Columbus’ current prices before diving into the best budget-friendly suburbs.
| Average 1-bedroom rent in Columbus | $1,422 |
| Average 2-bedroom rent in Columbus | $1,705 |
| Median home price in Columbus | $275,000 |
1. Circleville
If you’ve ever wanted to live somewhere that takes pumpkins more seriously than most people take their careers, Circleville is your type of town.
- Average 1-bedroom rent: $870
- Distance from Columbus: 29 miles south
- Drive time to Columbus: About 35 minutes
At $870 per month for a 1-bedroom apartment, Circleville is the most affordable Columbus suburb on this list. The town is famous for the Circleville Pumpkin Show, a festival dedicated to pumpkins so large they require forklifts to move. The Ted Lewis Museum honors one of the biggest musicians of the early 1900s, and A.W. Marion State Park has trails, fishing, and camping. Housing includes budget-friendly apartments, historic homes, and charming bungalows.
2. Worthington
A charming little suburb where the rent is reasonable, the farmers market is thriving, and the historic houses respark your interest in antiquing.
- Average 1-bedroom rent: $1,041
- Distance from Columbus: 12 miles north
- Drive time to Columbus: About 20 minutes
With an average 1-bedroom rent of $1,041 per month, Worthington is where you go when you want walkable streets, small-town charm, and rent prices that make sense. The Worthington Village Green is the heart of the suburb, hosting farmers markets, festivals, and live music that make you feel like you live in an actual community. The Orange Johnson House Museum gives a glimpse of 19th-century life, back when rent was probably the price of a loaf of bread. And the McConnell Arts Center houses stellar exhibits and performances.
3. Reynoldsburg
A place where you can hike, golf, and breathe actual fresh air without paying city prices for the privilege.
- Average 1-bedroom rent: $1,075
- Distance from Columbus: 12 miles east
- Drive time to Columbus: About 20 minutes
At $1,075 per month for a 1-bedroom, Reynoldsburg is a great spot to settle down. Blacklick Woods Metro Park has trails, a golf course, and plenty of picnic spots for when you want to eat outside but still avoid bugs. The Truro Historical Society Museum offers a deep dive into local history. Housing includes apartments, townhouses, and single-family homes with enough lawn to justify owning a mower.
4. Lancaster
A town where you can start your morning with a mountaintop view and end your day learning way too much about glassblowing.
- Average 1-bedroom rent: $1,090
- Distance from Columbus: 33 miles southeast
- Drive time to Columbus: About 40 minutes
At $1,090 per month for a 1-bedroom, Lancaster is for renters who want a quiet, affordable suburb that still has some personality. Rising Park offers a panoramic view from Mount Pleasant, ideal for deep thinking or dramatic Instagram posts. The Ohio Glass Museum celebrates the region’s glassmaking history, while AHA! Children’s Museum houses interactive exhibits for kids (or adults who still like pushing buttons).
5. Blacklick
A quiet suburb where the biggest drama is deciding whether to spend your Saturday hiking through a nature preserve or pretending to be good at golf.
- Average 1-bedroom rent: $1,127
- Distance from Columbus: 12 miles east
- Drive time to Columbus: About 20 minutes
Coming in at $1,127 per month for a 1-bedroom, Blacklick is the perfect mix of affordability and scenery. If you like your scenery with a touch of luxury, Jefferson Country Club has an 18-hole golf course and upscale dining. Housing in Blacklick is a mix of modern apartments, townhomes, and suburban homes that make you feel like a responsible adult.
6. Delaware
A little further from Columbus, but worth it for the stargazing, state parks, and quiet summer nights.
- Average 1-bedroom rent: $1,160
- Distance from Columbus: 30 miles north
- Drive time to Columbus: About 35 minutes
At $1,160 per month for a 1-bedroom apartment, Perkins Observatory hosts public stargazing nights. Delaware State Park is great for camping, hiking, and boating, making it perfect for anyone who loves the outdoors but isn’t quite ready to give up modern plumbing. Meanwhile, Historic Downtown Delaware has boutiques, great food, and a vintage movie theater that makes you feel like you’ve stepped back in time.
7. Canal Winchester
A seriously cool suburb where you can churn butter on a historic farm in the morning and drink craft beer with your dog in the afternoon.
- Average 1-bedroom rent: $1,244
- Distance from Columbus: 15 miles southeast
- Drive time to Columbus: About 20 minutes
With an average 1-bedroom rent of $1,244 per month, Canal Winchester is one of the more popular and affordable Columbus suburbs. Slate Run Living Historical Farm offers a hands-on 1880s farm experience. Meanwhile, the nationally popular BrewDog Brewery has craft beer, brewery tours, and a dog-friendly vibe, making it the kind of place where you say “just one drink” and somehow stay for four hours. Housing options in Canal Winchester are a healthy mix of apartments, townhomes, and historic houses with undeniable charm.
8. Gahanna
A place where you can take a creekside stroll, dive into local history, and casually tell people you live in the “Herb Capital of Ohio” like that’s a totally normal thing.
- Average 1-bedroom rent: $1,282
- Distance from Columbus: 9 miles northeast
- Drive time to Columbus: About 15 minutes
At $1,282 per month for a 1-bedroom, Gahanna is where nature, history, and a strange obsession with herbs collide. Creekside Park has walking paths, paddle boating, and enough scenic spots to make you feel like a professional photographer. Yes, Gahanna is officially known as the “Herb Capital of Ohio,” so you’ll find plenty of herbal gardens, events, and festivals dedicated to plants you probably don’t even know exist.
9. Westerville
A suburb with just the right mix of history, nature, and local restaurants that suddenly make you a brunch person.
- Average 1-bedroom rent: $1,307
- Distance from Columbus: 16 miles north
- Drive time to Columbus: About 25 minutes
With an average 1-bedroom rent of $1,307 per month, Westerville is a solid and affordable Columbus suburb. The Inniswood Metro Gardens is a 123-acre botanical wonderland with themed gardens and scenic walking trails. The Hoover Reservoir Park is great for boating, fishing, and anything else under the shining Ohio sun. Housing in Westerville ranges from modern apartments to townhomes to single-family homes in quiet neighborhoods.
10. Hilliard
A place where you can bike the Heritage Trail, debate which local pizza spot is the best, and visit a museum entirely dedicated to old TVs.
- Average 1-bedroom rent: $1,309
- Distance from Columbus: 13 miles west
- Drive time to Columbus: About 20 minutes
At $1,309 per month for a 1-bedroom, Hilliard is the kind of suburb where you can settle down and stay for a while. The Early Television Museum houses vintage TVs from the 1920s to the 1950s. For something a little more grounded, First Responders Park honors emergency personnel with sculptures and memorials, proving that Hilliard is as heartfelt as it is affordable.
Call one of these affordable Columbus suburbs home
Finding affordable Columbus suburbs isn’t impossible—you just have to decide how far you’re willing to drive. Want affordable rent and pumpkins the size of a car? Circleville is calling. Prefer a trendy spot with breweries and history? Canal Winchester has you covered. Looking for a suburb that somehow made herbs its entire personality? Gahanna’s waiting for you.
Affordability is based on whether a suburb’s one-bedroom rent was less than Columbus’ average rent and under 40 miles from downtown Columbus. Average rental data from Columbus rental market trends in February, 2025. Population data sourced from the United States Census Bureau.
