Studio Apartment Rent in Columbia, MD
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Columbia, Maryland as of July 2026. That's +24% lower than the citywide median of $2,304 and +36% above the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio 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 studio at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Columbia
Compare Columbia's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a studio in Maryland
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cumberland | $680 |
| 2 | Hagerstown | $820 |
| 3 | Salisbury | $1,090 |
| 4 | Lochearn | $1,168 |
| 5 | Easton | $1,170 |
| 6 | Bladensburg | $1,198 |
| 7 | Brooklyn Park | $1,250 |
| 8 | Dundalk | $1,250 |
| 9 | Essex | $1,250 |
| 10 | Halethorpe | $1,250 |
| 11 | Westminster | $1,250 |
| 12 | District Heights | $1,262 |
| 13 | Aberdeen | $1,270 |
| 14 | Rossville | $1,270 |
| 15 | Temple Hills | $1,270 |
Most expensive cities for a studio in Maryland
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Potomac | $3,020 |
| 2 | Bethesda | $2,675 |
| 3 | New Market | $2,530 |
| 4 | Derwood | $2,400 |
| 5 | Olney | $2,380 |
| 6 | Chevy Chase | $2,370 |
| 7 | Rockville | $2,297 |
| 8 | Clinton | $2,270 |
| 9 | Brandywine | $2,250 |
| 10 | Upper Marlboro | $2,115 |
| 11 | Jessup | $2,110 |
| 12 | Gambrills | $2,100 |
| 13 | Lake Arbor | $2,097 |
| 14 | Kensington | $2,080 |
| 15 | Hanover | $2,050 |
Nearby cities — studio rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than Columbia.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Columbia |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ellicott City, MD | 4.9 mi | $1,810 | +$50 (+3%) |
| Jessup, MD | 6.5 mi | $2,110 | +$350 (+20%) |
| Windsor Mill, MD | 10.9 mi | $1,400 | $-360 (-20%) |
| Severn, MD | 13 mi | $1,700 | $-60 (-3%) |
| Greenbelt, MD | 13.4 mi | $1,940 | +$180 (+10%) |
| College Park, MD | 14.4 mi | $1,722 | $-38 (-2%) |
| Silver Spring, MD | 15.7 mi | $1,590 | $-170 (-10%) |
| Garrison, MD | 15.8 mi | $1,706 | $-54 (-3%) |
| Olney, MD | 16.1 mi | $2,380 | +$620 (+35%) |
| East Riverdale, MD | 16.5 mi | $1,580 | $-180 (-10%) |
| Sykesville, MD | 16.6 mi | $1,480 | $-280 (-16%) |
| Crofton, MD | 17.1 mi | $1,880 | +$120 (+7%) |
Studio rent in Columbia — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Columbia?
As of July 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Columbia, Maryland is $1,760 per month. This is +24% below the citywide median of $2,304.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Columbia?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $70,400 ($5,867/month gross), which works out to roughly $33.85/hour at a full-time job.
Is Columbia expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Columbia's studio median of $1,760 is +36% above the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 79th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Columbia rank for studio rent in Maryland?
Among the 90 cities in Maryland with studio data, Columbia ranks #58 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Columbia?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Windsor Mill ($1,400), Severn ($1,700), College Park ($1,722).