Renting vs. Buying in Columbus, Ohio: What Makes Sense Right Now
With home prices and mortgage rates where they've been, a lot of Columbus renters are re-running the rent-versus-buy math this fall. Here's how the numbers actually stack up right now.
What Buying Costs Right Now
The median home sale price in Columbus sits around $290,000. Once you factor in a mortgage payment at current rates plus property taxes, homeowners insurance, and ongoing maintenance, the monthly cost of owning a typical Columbus home runs well above the citywide average rent — before accounting for a down payment or closing costs upfront.
What Renting Costs Right Now
Citywide average rent currently falls somewhere between $1,300 and $1,490 a month depending on the source, and multiple trackers describe the market as cooling: Zillow classifies Columbus's rental market temperature as "cool," and Zumper reported average rent down roughly 8% year-over-year as of late August 2026. That's a meaningfully different trend than the home-buying side of the market.
The Case for Renting While You Decide
• No mortgage, property tax, or homeowners insurance payment to budget around
• No surprise repair bills — maintenance is handled for you
• Flexibility to relocate for a job, a relationship, or just a change without selling a house first
• A cooling rental market currently favors renters with room to negotiate or find a good deal
The Continent French Quarter: Renting Without Overpaying
Rent at The Continent French Quarter Apartments starts at $875 a month, well under the citywide average, with electric included in that price.
Floor Plans & Rent
• One Bedroom, One Bath Suite (the Sulu floor plan)
• Two Bedroom, One Bath
• Two Bedroom, Two Bath Suite (the Caribbean floor plan)
• Two Bedroom, Two Bath Townhouse (the Coral floor plan)
• Two Bedroom, Two Bath Suite with washer/dryer hookup
• Two Bedroom, Two Bath Townhouse with washer/dryer hookup
Schedule Your Tour
If renting makes more sense for where you're at right now, come see what's available.
Call: 614-985-1950
Learn more: continentfrenchquarter.com
Comments