Columbia, SC Market Insight: Why More Investors Are Turning to the Midlands

[Timothy Devitt]

Columbia continues to fly under the radar, quietly offering some of the most consistent and investor-friendly fundamentals in South Carolina

It's becoming a strategic play for buy-and-hold investors — especially those using DSCR financing.

🏡 Here’s what’s catching attention:

• Stable Rent Growth: Median rents in the Columbia metro have risen steadily over the past 18 months — not dramatically, but consistently. That predictability is a plus for long-term cash flow planning.

• Infill Construction Opportunities: Submarkets like Northeast Columbia and Lexington are issuing more permits for small-scale residential construction — ideal for investors targeting build-to-rent strategies.

• Student + Government Rental Demand: With the University of South Carolina and a concentration of government jobs, Columbia offers a base of steady tenants in neighborhoods like Rosewood, Shandon, and Forest Acres.

• Landlord-Friendly Environment: Compared to more regulated cities, Columbia’s policies are still relatively favorable to landlords — especially those operating long-term rentals.

💡 Investor Takeaway: Columbia may not be a “flashy” market, but it offers what savvy investors often value most: steady cash flow, growth potential in emerging pockets, and manageable entry costs.

Anyone here currently investing in Columbia or considering it? What submarkets or strategies are you looking at?