Buy or Rent in 2025? Carlos Alexandre Rozwadowski Breaks It Down

If you're living in Columbus, Georgia or thinking about moving here, you’ve probably asked yourself the age-old real estate question: Should I buy or rent? 

And while the answer always depends on your personal circumstances, 2025 presents a uniquely nuanced market that makes this decision more strategic than ever.

As someone who’s spent decades helping people navigate this exact crossroads, I’ll walk you through the key factors to consider right now in Columbus, whether you're looking for long-term stability or short-term flexibility.

1. Home Prices in Columbus Are Still Reasonable—But Rising

The Columbus housing market continues to offer affordable entry points compared to national averages and regional neighbors like Atlanta or Birmingham. The median home price in Columbus still hovers under $250,000, and even in high-demand areas like North Columbus, there are deals to be found.

However, make no mistake, prices are trending upward. Columbus is growing steadily, with new jobs, better amenities, and more people moving in. If you're planning to stay in the area for at least 3–5 years, buying now locks in your cost of living before appreciation accelerates further.

A recent ConstructionCoverage report even shows that in Columbus, buying is still about 13.2% cheaper than renting for many buyers—making this a unique moment of opportunity.

2. Rent Prices Are Climbing, Too—And Fast

You might think renting is the more affordable short-term choice, but in 2025, rents have caught up—and in some cases, surpassed what you'd pay in a monthly mortgage.

Rental demand has surged in Columbus thanks to:

• Ongoing growth at Fort Moore, bringing in military families

• An expanding remote workforce choosing Columbus for its cost of living

• Limited multifamily inventory in popular areas like Midtown and Uptown
  

While renting offers flexibility, the trade-off is that you’re helping your landlord build equity instead of yourself, especially as monthly rents continue to inch higher.

In fact, according to Zillow, average rent in Columbus is now around $1,100/month, up nearly $100 from a year ago.

3. Interest Rates: The Wild Card

Yes, interest rates are still higher than what buyers enjoyed in 2020 and 2021. But the narrative that “it’s too expensive to buy” only tells half the story.

What matters more is this:If you can afford today’s payment and plan to stay long enough to build equity, buying still wins long term.You can always refinance if rates go down. But if home prices rise while you wait for the “perfect rate,” you’ll end up paying more for less later.

As Axios recently reported, Columbus renters now need to earn nearly $38,000 less annually than buyers just to afford housing, emphasizing the growing cost gap.

4. Maintenance, Taxes, and Hidden Costs

There’s no question that owning a home comes with more responsibility than renting. You’ll have property taxes, homeowner’s insurance, maintenance, and potential repair costs to account for.

That said, Columbus remains one of the more manageable markets for ownership costs. Property taxes are relatively low, and newer neighborhoods—like Midland Springs or Maple Ridge—offer modern builds that don’t require major repairs for years.

If you're comparing costs, here’s a simplified breakdown for 2025:

Monthly Housing Budget	Rent	Mortgage (with 5–10% down)
$1,300–$1,600	2-bed apartment in North Columbus	3-bed starter home in East Highland
$1,700–$2,100	3-bed house in Midland or Phenix City	4-bed home in family-friendly subdivisions near Fort Moore
$2,200+	Large single-family rental in desirable district	New build or modern resale with fenced yard, office space, etc.

5. What’s Your Timeline and Lifestyle?

This is where the real decision-making happens. Here's a quick guide:

Buy if...

• You plan to stay in Columbus for 3+ years

• You want to build equity and long-term wealth

• You're comfortable handling basic maintenance

• You want customization and permanence

Rent if...

• You’re on a short-term assignment or PCS to Fort Moore

• You’re new to Columbus and exploring neighborhoods

• You want zero responsibility for repairs

• You’re still stabilizing your income or saving for a down payment
  

  

Final Take: There’s No Wrong Choice—Just the Right One for You

The beauty of Columbus in 2025 is that you still have options. Whether you're buying your first home, upgrading, or finding a rental that fits your needs, the market hasn’t shut out either side of the equation, yet.

At Century 21 Premier Real Estate, we help buyers and renters every day make smart, informed decisions. And we’ll give it to you straight—because a good fit matters more than a quick sale.

Still undecided? Let’s run the numbers together and help you weigh what makes the most sense for your goals.

– Carlos Alexandre Rozwadowski. CEO, Century 21 Premier Real Estate