1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Columbia, MD
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Columbia, Maryland as of July 2026. That's +13% lower than the citywide median of $2,304 and +44% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Columbia
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a 1-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Columbia
Compare Columbia's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 1-bedroom in Maryland
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cumberland | $780 |
| 2 | Hagerstown | $910 |
| 3 | Robinwood | $976 |
| 4 | Salisbury | $1,100 |
| 5 | Easton | $1,220 |
| 6 | Bladensburg | $1,227 |
| 7 | District Heights | $1,293 |
| 8 | Temple Hills | $1,302 |
| 9 | Takoma Park | $1,343 |
| 10 | Fruitland | $1,350 |
| 11 | Beltsville | $1,356 |
| 12 | Lochearn | $1,357 |
| 13 | Brentwood | $1,373 |
| 14 | Chillum | $1,419 |
| 15 | Fort Washington | $1,429 |
Most expensive cities for a 1-bedroom in Maryland
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Potomac | $3,080 |
| 2 | Bethesda | $2,730 |
| 3 | New Market | $2,590 |
| 4 | Derwood | $2,450 |
| 5 | Olney | $2,430 |
| 6 | Chevy Chase | $2,430 |
| 7 | Jessup | $2,410 |
| 8 | Gambrills | $2,390 |
| 9 | Rockville | $2,343 |
| 10 | Hanover | $2,340 |
| 11 | Clinton | $2,320 |
| 12 | Brandywine | $2,300 |
| 13 | Odenton | $2,230 |
| 14 | Arnold | $2,170 |
| 15 | Upper Marlboro | $2,160 |
Nearby cities — 1-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Columbia.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Columbia |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ellicott City, MD | 4.9 mi | $2,065 | +$62 (+3%) |
| Jessup, MD | 6.5 mi | $2,410 | +$407 (+20%) |
| Windsor Mill, MD | 10.9 mi | $1,590 | $-413 (-21%) |
| Severn, MD | 13 mi | $1,940 | $-63 (-3%) |
| Greenbelt, MD | 13.4 mi | $1,980 | $-23 (-1%) |
| College Park, MD | 14.4 mi | $1,754 | $-249 (-12%) |
| Silver Spring, MD | 15.7 mi | $1,624 | $-379 (-19%) |
| Garrison, MD | 15.8 mi | $1,781 | $-222 (-11%) |
| Olney, MD | 16.1 mi | $2,430 | +$427 (+21%) |
| East Riverdale, MD | 16.5 mi | $1,620 | $-383 (-19%) |
| Sykesville, MD | 16.6 mi | $1,690 | $-313 (-16%) |
| Crofton, MD | 17.1 mi | $2,140 | +$137 (+7%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Columbia — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Columbia?
As of July 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Columbia, Maryland is $2,003 per month. This is +13% below the citywide median of $2,304.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Columbia?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $80,120 ($6,677/month gross), which works out to roughly $38.52/hour at a full-time job.
Is Columbia expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Columbia's 1-bedroom median of $2,003 is +44% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 82th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Columbia rank for 1-bedroom rent in Maryland?
Among the 92 cities in Maryland with 1-bedroom data, Columbia ranks #67 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Columbia?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Windsor Mill ($1,590), Severn ($1,940), Greenbelt ($1,980).