3-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Columbia, MD
Median asking rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in Columbia, Maryland as of July 2026. That's +37% higher than the citywide median of $2,304 and +48% above the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130.
Income needed for a 3-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 3-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 3-bedroom in Maryland
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cumberland | $1,280 |
| 2 | Hagerstown | $1,650 |
| 3 | Bladensburg | $1,724 |
| 4 | Robinwood | $1,772 |
| 5 | District Heights | $1,817 |
| 6 | Temple Hills | $1,832 |
| 7 | Takoma Park | $1,886 |
| 8 | Easton | $1,890 |
| 9 | Carney | $1,900 |
| 10 | Salisbury | $1,900 |
| 11 | Beltsville | $1,911 |
| 12 | Oxon Hill | $2,006 |
| 13 | New Carrollton | $2,007 |
| 14 | Fort Washington | $2,010 |
| 15 | Lochearn | $2,043 |
Most expensive cities for a 3-bedroom in Maryland
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Potomac | $4,340 |
| 2 | Bethesda | $3,845 |
| 3 | Jessup | $3,800 |
| 4 | Gambrills | $3,770 |
| 5 | Hanover | $3,680 |
| 6 | New Market | $3,640 |
| 7 | Odenton | $3,510 |
| 8 | Derwood | $3,450 |
| 9 | Olney | $3,430 |
| 10 | Arnold | $3,420 |
| 11 | Chevy Chase | $3,410 |
| 12 | Crofton | $3,370 |
| 13 | Rockville | $3,303 |
| 14 | Ellicott City | $3,260 |
| 15 | Elkridge | $3,260 |
Nearby cities — 3-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 3-bedroom rents than Columbia.
| City | Distance | 3-Bedroom rent | vs Columbia |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ellicott City, MD | 4.9 mi | $3,260 | +$97 (+3%) |
| Jessup, MD | 6.5 mi | $3,800 | +$637 (+20%) |
| Windsor Mill, MD | 10.9 mi | $2,510 | $-653 (-21%) |
| Severn, MD | 13 mi | $3,060 | $-103 (-3%) |
| Greenbelt, MD | 13.4 mi | $2,790 | $-373 (-12%) |
| College Park, MD | 14.4 mi | $2,472 | $-691 (-22%) |
| Silver Spring, MD | 15.7 mi | $2,288 | $-875 (-28%) |
| Garrison, MD | 15.8 mi | $2,160 | $-1,003 (-32%) |
| Olney, MD | 16.1 mi | $3,430 | +$267 (+8%) |
| East Riverdale, MD | 16.5 mi | $2,280 | $-883 (-28%) |
| Sykesville, MD | 16.6 mi | $2,660 | $-503 (-16%) |
| Crofton, MD | 17.1 mi | $3,370 | +$207 (+7%) |
3-Bedroom rent in Columbia — common questions
How much is a 3-bedroom apartment in Columbia?
As of July 2026, the median 3-bedroom apartment rent in Columbia, Maryland is $3,163 per month. This is +37% higher than the citywide median of $2,304.
What income do you need to afford a 3-bedroom in Columbia?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $126,520 ($10,543/month gross), which works out to roughly $60.83/hour at a full-time job.
Is Columbia expensive for a 3-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Columbia's 3-bedroom median of $3,163 is +48% above the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130. It ranks in the 84th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Columbia rank for 3-bedroom rent in Maryland?
Among the 91 cities in Maryland with 3-bedroom data, Columbia ranks #72 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 3-bedroom options near Columbia?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 3-bedroom rents include Windsor Mill ($2,510), Severn ($3,060), Greenbelt ($2,790).