Best In South Carolina Real Estate™: Columbia

🏆 1.44x Rent Gap in the Midlands — ALEX Intelligence, 2026. The largest internal rent disparity in South Carolina’s Midlands reveals a deep structural divide in housing access. Richland County’s $1,228 median rent versus Saluda County’s $851 isn’t just a number — it’s a map of economic opportunity. For real estate leaders in Columbia, this isn’t a trend to ignore — it’s a strategic fault line. How will your portfolio adapt to a market where affordability is not a regional condition, but a county-by-county reality? How do you ensure that growth in Saluda and Fairfield doesn’t outpace investment in infrastructure? The data is clear: one county’s stability may depend on another’s neglect. Median Gross Rent by County in the Midlands (ALEX Intelligence — 2026) #1 Richland County <- this market #2 Lexington County #3 Calhoun County #4 Kershaw County #5 Fairfield County #6 Saluda County Source: https://alex-companies.com/data/2026-09-08-columbia-sc-within-county-gross-rent View and join any or all of our communities — AI, quantum, and real estate: https://alex-companies.com/reports/linkedin-groups If there's an AI, quantum, or real estate community you'd like to see us convene, tell us — this portfolio grows by request. Real Estate Strategy & Intelligence Leader. Democratized Blue Ocean Strategist & Operator. Diane Hart Alexander, MBA, MHA Chair & CEO, ALEX Companies Designated Broker, Alexander Tiffany Southwest, LLC dba ALEX.realestate, et.al. Texas License #574877-B · Broker License #565194-BB [email protected] · +1 713.591.9902