Relocating to another city for a new job or temporary work project can be exciting, at least until you realize how many decisions have to be made before your first day.

Where should you live? How close should you stay to the office or job site? Should you sign a traditional lease, stay in a hotel, or rent something furnished? And what happens if your assignment gets shortened or extended, or your permanent home is delayed, or the neighborhood you chose turns out to be nowhere near where you actually spend your time?

For professionals staying 30 nights or longer, corporate housing in Columbus, Ohio can provide a practical middle ground: a fully furnished apartment with a real kitchen, in-unit laundry, utilities and Wi-Fi included, and flexible month-to-month leases designed for temporary stays.

Corporate housing gives you a lot more space and comfort than a hotel without the commitment of a long-term lease or the time and expense of furnishing a place yourself. 

This guide explains how corporate housing works, how it compares with other temporary housing options, and how to choose the Columbus location that will be the best fit for your needs and preferences.

What Is Corporate Housing?

Corporate housing is a formal term that refers to fully furnished apartments that are professionally managed with all-inclusive rates and flexible month-to-month leases. It’s intended for stays that are longer than a typical hotel booking but shorter than a traditional 12-month apartment lease.

Despite the name, you do not need to work for a large corporation to rent a corporate apartment, and your employer does not have to make the reservation. Corporate housing is commonly used by:

• Employees relocating to Columbus for new full-time jobs
• Consultants, executives, engineers, and project managers 
• Construction and skilled-trade professionals 
• Travel nurses and other medical professionals
• People searching for the perfect home to buy or waiting for their new home to be built 
• Families traveling to Columbus for extended medical treatments
• Homeowners who need temporary housing due to displacement by fire, flood, or mold

A true corporate apartment should come ready for you to just roll in with your suitcase and live comfortably from day one. That generally means furniture, decor, housewares, linens, kitchenware, internet, utilities, washer and dryer, and everything else you need for daily life is already provided and set up for you. Many providers also offer flexible or month-to-month terms, although specific policies can vary, including minimum-stay requirements, extension rules, and departure-notice policies.

Corporate housing is not a special type of building. It is a housing service designed to give you the comfort, convenience, and flexibility of a totally turnkey living situation.

Corporate housing companies typically have agreements with apartment communities that allow them to lease apartments, furnish them, and then re-rent them (kind of like a professionally operated sublease) to guests who need more convenience and flexibility than a typical apartment community would ever offer on its own.

Why Columbus Has So Much Demand for Corporate Housing

The Columbus region continues to grow and has a diverse economy spanning finance, insurance, health care, higher education, government, logistics, advanced manufacturing, retail, and technology. 

The region is home to major employers such as JPMorgan Chase, Nationwide, Amazon and AWS, Cardinal Health, Honda, The Ohio State University, and several large health systems. 

Central Ohio has also attracted major Intel investment and is experiencing growth related to semiconductor manufacturing and data centers (Google, Meta, and more).

This brings people to Columbus to open offices, manage construction projects, complete specialized training, work clinical contracts, transfer between locations, or begin permanent jobs before deciding where to buy a home.

For newcomers, the hardest part isn’t typically finding a furnished apartment. It is finding the right furnished apartment in the right part of the city where they can truly settle in and feel at home for a month or longer.

How Corporate Housing Compares With the Alternatives

The temporary housing option that’s most ideal for you will depend on the length and certainty of your stay, how much space you need, and how much setup you are willing to handle.

An extended stay hotel is a simple solution if you only need a place to stay for a week or two. But for 30+ night stays, living in a hotel can get old fast. Working beside your bed, preparing meals in a sparse kitchenette, and relying on shared laundry can become exhausting. Hotel WiFi can be inconsistent, and secure parking may not always be available. Savings tend to disappear quickly once restaurant meals are factored in. 

A traditional apartment may be the least expensive long-term choice if you know you will remain in Columbus for at least a year. Just remember that the advertised rent does not include utilities, Wi-Fi, cable, deposits, administrative fees, etc. Most importantly, people often underestimate the time and expense involved in shopping for furniture, mattresses, bedding, kitchenware, curtains, and everything else needed to make an empty apartment livable.

Corporate housing is generally the best fit when you need a “turnkey” living situation with a flexible lease. It’s designed specifically for people who need a comfortable, move-in ready place to stay for flexible dates but don’t want to live in a hotel room for months. If you’re permanently relocating to Columbus, this option can also buy you time to settle into the city, get a feel for your commute, and explore neighborhoods before making any long-term housing decisions.

Choosing the Right Area of Columbus for Your Assignment

There is no single best neighborhood for corporate housing in Columbus. The right location depends on your reason for staying, whether you prefer an urban or suburban setting, and how frequently you expect to commute to a specific destination.

Columbus is relatively easy to navigate by car, but the metropolitan area is spread out. Two addresses that both say “Columbus” can be on opposite sides of the region. Before reserving anything, ask for the exact apartment address and check the drive at the times you will actually be traveling.

Downtown Columbus, the Arena District, and the Short North

Downtown and the surrounding urban neighborhoods have become more popular in recent years. It’s hard to beat the convenience of living Downtown for professionals working at

Nationwide, Huntington, The Columbus Blue Jackets, The Columbus Crew, Nationwide

Children’s Hospital, state government offices, law firms, consulting firms, convention facilities, and other Downtown employers.

Neighborhoods in and around Downtown also appeal to people who enjoy being a short walk or Uber ride away from a wide variety of restaurants, entertainment, sporting events, and cultural attractions. And Downtown can serve as a nice central base for guests whose job requires travel to multiple parts of the city.

The Ohio State University and the medical campus

Professionals working at The Ohio State University, Ohio State Wexner Medical Center, The James Cancer Hospital, or nearby research facilities should consider the University District, Grandview, Harrison West, Upper Arlington, the Short North, and nearby portions of Downtown.

Keep in mind that Ohio State’s campus is very large, so if an apartment listing says it’s “near OSU,” that does not always mean it’s walkable (or even a quick ride by car). It’s important to verify the address and learn about the neighborhood before renting rather than relying on listing descriptions alone.

New Albany, Gahanna, and Northeast Columbus

New Albany and the northeast side have become especially important for professionals connected to semiconductor, data-center, construction, technology, and supply-chain projects. The area may also work well for assignments near John Glenn Columbus International Airport or Easton.

New Albany and Gahanna offer a quieter suburban environment with convenient access to the airport, Easton, Downtown, and the northeast side. Some major project sites in the New Albany area are located far outside I-270, so be sure to map out the actual location of your job site before renting a place to stay. 

Dublin, Hilliard, and Northwest Columbus

Dublin and Hilliard are established suburbs on the northwest side of the city and very popular with professionals and families. Renting in these areas can be especially attractive for guests working near Cardinal Health or other technology and healthcare offices along the northwest business corridors.

The Bridge Park area, a major attraction in the Dublin area, combines apartments, restaurants, shops, walking paths, and entertainment in a relatively compact and walkable setting. Other parts of Dublin and Hilliard offer a quieter suburban experience with convenient access to parks and major roads, still just a few minutes from the attractions of Bridge Park. 

Polaris, Westerville, and the North Side

Westerville is a fast-growing suburb about a 20-minute drive north of Downtown Columbus. The Polaris area specifically is very popular among corporate travelers thanks to extensive options for shopping, dining, and entertainment. It also offers easy freeway access, as well as close proximity to the JP Morgan Chase McCoy Center and many newer apartment communities.

Corporate housing in Westerville, Ohio, can be a useful compromise when two people in the same household commute to different parts of the region. Westerville is located just north of I-270 near I-71, providing convenient central access to multiple hubs in the greater Columbus area.

What Should Be Included in a Corporate Apartment?

“Fully furnished” apartments are not all created equal. One provider may supply only the bare essentials with basic furniture that reminds you of your college dorm, while another may provide beautifully designed apartments with comfortable furniture and beds worthy of a 5-star hotel.

Before reserving, ask whether the quoted rate includes:

• Window shades or curtains, wall art, sofa pillows, and other decor essentials 
• A properly equipped kitchen with cookware, dishes, and full-size appliances
• Bedding, towels, and blankets 
• A full-size washer and dryer inside the apartment
• Electricity, water, gas, trash, and high-speed internet
• Off-street parking that feels safe and secure 
• Cleaning equipment and basic household supplies
• Maintenance and local guest support
• Pet fees, taxes, and administrative charges

Always confirm whether the photographs show the actual apartment you will receive or just a model/example unit. 

If you will work from home, ask about the workspace and whether the internet is private or shared. Ask about steps, too, if mobility is a concern. Ask about the quality of the beds and linens, and be sure to get a list of the kitchenware and other supplies that are included.

Details that seem minor during booking can become a really big deal during a three-month stay.

Four Questions to Ask Before Booking

1. What is the complete monthly cost? Ask for an all-in price that includes utilities, internet, parking, taxes, pet charges, cleaning, and administrative fees.
2. Can I extend or shorten my stay if plans change? Confirm the minimum stay, departure-notice requirement, and what happens if you end up needing to unexpectedly shorten or extend your stay. Find out how much notice the provider requires for moveout, whether the apartment can be held for you in case you need to extend, and what fees apply if you leave early.
3. Does the listing show the exact apartment? Ask for the apartment or building address, recent photographs showing the exact apartment, and a list of exactly what’s included in the apartment.
4. Who helps if something goes wrong? Find out whether support is local, who handles maintenance, and how to reach someone if an urgent problem were to occur such as a water leak or lost keys.

When an Employer Is Arranging the Housing

Specific needs often arise when a company is arranging a corporate apartment for an employee, as opposed to an employee booking for themselves. HR teams, recruiters, and project managers may need direct billing, detailed monthly invoices, flexible extensions, consistent standards, local support, or several apartments in the same area. 

If you need multiple apartments, it’s wise to begin the search early because demand for temporary housing in Columbus is high and furnished inventory is much smaller than the overall apartment market. 

Employees who book independently for work travel should also find out whether their company has any specific requirements in order to cover the cost, and whether the housing provider will allow the company to book on employees’ behalf.

How Much Does Corporate Housing in Columbus Cost?

Pricing for corporate housing can vary widely depending on the location, apartment size, season, length of stay, quality of the community, included services, how generously the apartment is stocked with supplies, and quality of the furnishings.

Furnished, all-inclusive apartments usually cost considerably more than the advertised rent for an unfurnished apartment. That’s because the rate includes short-term lease flexibility as well as furniture, housewares, a variety of utilities, Wi-Fi, parking, kitchenware, a washer and dryer, TVs, bedding, towels, cleaning supplies, setup, and more.

Corporate housing gives you convenience and flexibility similar to staying at a hotel, but with the space and comfort of living in a full-size apartment in a residential neighborhood where you can actually settle in and feel at home. For this reason, it makes more sense to compare corporate housing rates to those of a hotel (vs. an unfurnished long-term apartment). 

When comparing quotes, don’t just ask for the rate. Also ask for a full list of any taxes, one-time fees, ongoing fees, or bills that you’ll be required to pay as these can vary widely by provider. 

If you’re thinking about furnishing a place yourself to save money, keep in mind that the process is often much more expensive and time-consuming than most people expect. It’s easy to think, “No problem. I’ll just buy a sofa, a TV, a bed, and some dishes.” But it’s shocking how quickly the little things can add up. It’s easy to overlook the fact that the average person uses dozens of things in daily life that we rarely think about, from cooking knives and clothing hangers to window curtains and wall art. All of these add to the expense and workload of a DIY approach. 

When comparing corporate housing vs. DIY, it’s also wise to factor in the time and expense of managing all the utilities and handling the move-out process once your stay is over. The time, money, and stress involved are often underestimated. A large amount of time and energy will need to be spent taking everything apart, arranging storage, hauling things to different places, and selling unwanted items.

This is why so many people choose corporate housing when they need short-term furnished accommodations. It’s a turnkey solution that, once all factors are considered, often proves to be well worth the higher price. 

A Local Corporate Housing Option in Columbus

One highly rated option in the Columbus area is Epicurean Furnished Apartments, a locally owned and operated company providing premium corporate housing throughout Central Ohio. Epicurean offers fully furnished apartments with all-inclusive rates and month-to-month flexibility in desirable communities throughout the Columbus region, including Dublin, Gahanna, Hilliard, New Albany, Westerville, and Downtown Columbus.

Epicurean works with individuals who need short-term furnished apartments during relocation, home repairs and renovations, extended medical visits, work contracts, and more. 

The company is also experienced at working with employers who need to arrange housing for relocating employees and can often accommodate large temporary project teams requiring multiple apartments. 

Whether you choose Epicurean or another provider, start with a conversation. Explain the approximate move-in date you’re needing, how certain your departure date is, who will be staying, whether you have pets, and anything else that matters most to you. An experienced local provider should be able to help you narrow the search quickly by sharing current availability, pros and cons of various locations, and details on the rental process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can individuals rent corporate housing, or does a company have to book it?

Either way is fine! Most corporate housing companies are happy to serve individuals who want to rent and pay for their own furnished apartment. It’s common for individuals to choose this option when relocating for a job, traveling for a temporary work contract, waiting for a home to be built or repaired or renovated, or traveling to Columbus for extended medical treatments.

What is the minimum stay for corporate housing in Columbus?

Most providers require a 30-night minimum stay, although some have longer requirements and some may occasionally offer weekly or even nightly stays. When researching providers, be sure to confirm the minimum required length of stay, extension policy, and departure-notice requirement in order to ensure a good fit before you book.

Are utilities included with corporate housing?

Utilities and Wi-Fi are typically included, but there is no universal standard. It’s important to double-check as some providers do advertise attractive monthly rates that don’t include utilities and other fees which are later charged as separate line items. As with anything else, if a price seems too good to be true, it often is. Ask for a complete list of additional costs and make sure electricity, gas, water, internet, parking, cable, taxes, and any other fees are included in the quoted rate before you make a decision.

Is corporate housing cheaper than a hotel?

Corporate housing rates are often comparable to a hotel. However, furnished apartments tend to offer much better overall value than a hotel, especially when you consider the increased comfort and convenience that comes with a larger living space, full kitchen, and in-unit laundry (reduced need to order takeout, etc). The answer to which option is cheaper in your situation will ultimately depend on the location, apartment size, which hotel options exist nearby, and your length of stay.

Can I use corporate housing while searching for a permanent home?

Yes. Temporary furnished housing gives relocating employees time to settle in, get to know the city, tour homes, evaluate schools and neighborhoods, and make a permanent decision without rushing into a purchase or long-term lease. This is one of the most common reasons individuals choose the option of corporate housing in Columbus, Ohio. 

Give Yourself Time to Learn Columbus

Relocating for work already comes with enough pressure. Your housing arrangement should make the transition easier, not add more stress. Comfort, convenience, and flexibility aren’t luxuries during times like these. They’re essentials. That’s why it’s so important to choose your temporary housing wisely and think carefully before assuming a DIY solution is a good call.

The right corporate apartment gives you a comfortable place to land as you begin your job, establish new routines, and settle into Columbus before making longer-term decisions. Focus first on the fundamentals: the location and commute, the flexibility of the agreement, the complete cost, and the quality of the living space. But don’t forget to ask about the beds and bedding, the provider’s cleaning practices, and other factors that could impact your ability to be comfortable and well-rested during your stay. Then choose the provider and neighborhood that feels like the best fit.

The Columbus region continues to grow with many distinct neighborhoods that offer unique vibes and various pros/cons depending on your preferences and priorities. Taking a little extra time to choose the right temporary home can make all the difference in your experience while you’re here.

Author Bio

Jesse Lear is the founder of Epicurean Furnished Apartments, a boutique provider of corporate housing and furnished month-to-month apartments in Columbus, Ohio. Since 2019, Jesse and his wife, Chelsea, have helped hundreds of professionals, families, and organizations find comfortable temporary homes in Central Ohio. Epicurean maintains an average guest rating of 4.97 stars and has received more than 500 five-star reviews.