$1,266 1Q 2024
2.7%
93.8% 1Q 2024
-60 BASIS POINTS
4.7% (FEB 2024)
9.7% (FEB 2024)
* Please note that these employment figures have been adjusted for seasonal variations and are based on Moody’s Analytics forecast as of January 1, 2024.
** Please note that these unemployment rates are estimates that have not been adjusted for seasonal variations, and they are derived from Moody’s Analytics forecast as of January 1, 2024.
QUARTERLY DEMAND
QUARTERLY COMPLETIONS
In the first quarter of 2024, the Columbus apartment market displayed robust demand, with over 1,320 units newly occupied, far exceeding the number of units completed during the same period. This strong performance underscores the current strength of the Columbus market. Among the 14 submarkets, 11 saw positive net absorption, with Northeast Columbus standing out by recording 305 net new units occupied.
In Q1 2024, Columbus’s apartment inventory expanded by 479 units. The majority of this growth occurred in the Downtown Columbus submarket, which expanded by 232 units. Delaware County and Upper Arlington were the only other submarkets to add to the inventory in this period, contributing 178 units and 69 units, respectively.
In the first quarter of 2024, the Columbus apartment market demonstrated resilience with positive net absorption similar to pre-pandemic levels, though it did not fully keep pace with the expansion of multifamily units over the past year. As a result, the average market occupancy rate declined to 93.8%, a 60-basis point drop from the previous year. However, occupancy levels remained stable from the final quarter of 2023, suggesting that the trend of declining occupancy each quarter may be stabilizing and could soon reverse course upwards.
On a submarket level, ten out of Columbus’ 14 submarkets exceeded the market-wide occupancy rate. Madison County led with an impressive 99.1% occupancy, significantly outperforming other areas. In contrast, Downtown Columbus, which has undergone significant inventory expansion recently, recorded the lowest occupancy at 91.2%.
Average Monthly Mortgage Payment
While the U.S. apartment market experiences sluggish rent growth, the Columbus, OH rental market remains comparatively strong. As of the first quarter of 2024, Columbus ranked fourth among the 50 largest U.S. apartment markets in rent growth, registering a 2.7% year-over-year increase that pushed the average rent for new leases to $1,266. Although Downtown Columbus has seen a 1.7% decline in rents, all other submarkets in Columbus have reported increases over the past year. Morrow County, in particular, has seen the most substantial growth at 7.8%.
Rent gains among lower-tier properties have bolstered overall market growth in recent quarters, indicating a shift towards more affordable housing options in response to the rising cost of living. These properties have seen an average annual rent growth of about 5.0%, well above the national average of 2.1%. In contrast, mid-tier and luxury properties have seen slower growth due to an influx of new supply, which has limited operators’ ability to raise rents. However, this trend may reverse once the bulk of this new supply is absorbed and construction activity realigns with historical levels.
Average Monthly Rent
While the quarterly total for individual asset trades of conventional multifamily properties in Columbus saw a dramatic increase of over 300% in the first quarter of 2024, reaching $136.7 million, this figure could be skewed by a single large institutional trade, potentially distorting the underlying trend. A broader perspective, provided by the rolling four-quarter transaction volume, reveals a more consistent picture. The $756.6 million traded during this period marks an 18% increase compared to the year prior, distinguishing Columbus from many other major apartment markets where transaction volumes have declined over this period.
On a transaction count basis, 27 deals were executed over the last four quarters, only slightly down from 28 in the previous year, suggesting that the properties traded over the last four quarters were of higher quality. This trend is further supported by the significant participation of institutional buyers, who made up a large portion of the buyer mix in the first quarter of this year. This indicates that despite high interest rates dampening transaction activity overall, markets with solid fundamentals like Columbus continue to attract investors eager to capitalize on their available capital.
*Most Active Buyers and Sellers are based on the sale volume of apartment units.
* Trailing 4Q average PPU
* Preliminary Data from RCA – Individual transaction $2.5M +
Please note that the income and expense data presented in this section is sourced from third-party providers. Our firm does not provide any warranty or guarantee as to the accuracy or reliability of this information. We recommend that users exercise their own discretion and professional judgment when interpreting and utilizing this data.
| Income Assumptions | Value / Unit | Year Change (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Rental Income / Occupied Unit | $1,228.28 | 7.1% |
| Recoverable Expenses / Occupied Unit | $79.96 | 8.2% |
| Other Income / Occupied Unit | $82.65 | 6.7% |
| Total Income / Occupied Unit | $1,390.89 | 7.2% |
| Rental Income | $1,142.16 | 7.4% |
| Recoverable Expenses | $74.35 | 8.5% |
| Other Income | $76.83 | 6.9% |
| Total Income | $1,293.35 | 7.4% |
| Operating Expenses | Value / Unit | Year Change (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Payroll | $121.55 | 5.8% |
| Repairs & Maintenance | $46.75 | 4.6% |
| Leasing | $48.52 | 7.4% |
| General | $26.28 | 4.9% |
| Marketing & Advertising | $17.72 | 6.1% |
| Repairs & Maintenance | $98.46 | -0.4% |
| Cleaning | $16.17 | 1.6% |
| Roads & Grounds | $21.52 | -1.4% |
| General | $60.77 | -0.6% |
| Administrative | $39.89 | 1.3% |
| Security | $4.91 | -2.9% |
| General | $34.99 | 1.9% |
| Management Fees | $50.21 | 6.5% |
| Utilities | $78.34 | 5.9% |
| Electric | $18.97 | 13.8% |
| Gas | $4.17 | -19.7% |
| Water/Sewer | $55.21 | 6.3% |
| Real Estate & Other Taxes | $143.88 | 3.2% |
| Insurance | $33.67 | 23.8% |
| Other Operating Expensees | $1.00 | |
| Total Operating Expense | $584.72 | 4.7% |
| Value / Unit | Year Change (%) | |
| Net Operating Income | $708.62 | 9.7% |
|---|
As 2024 progresses, the Columbus apartment market continues to be a bright spot for multifamily performance, outperforming many other U.S. markets amidst generally softening fundamentals. This resilience is bolstered by strong economic growth and a well-managed construction pipeline. Demand for rental properties remains healthy, surpassing the number of completions in the first quarter of this year. The annual increase in transaction volume reflects growing investor confidence in Columbus and suggests strong potential for further investment throughout the year.
Columbus is positioning itself as a major investment hub in the Midwest, bolstered by its status as a leading job market. This growth is driven by a burgeoning tech industry and the presence of Ohio State University—one of the largest college campuses in the nation. Local policies aimed at attracting new businesses and fostering diverse employment opportunities, particularly in the Professional and Business Services sector, are critical drivers of future apartment demand.
