1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Ellicott City, MD
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Ellicott City, Maryland as of October 2026. That's +20% lower than the citywide median of $2,596 and +48% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Ellicott City
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 Ellicott City
Compare Ellicott City'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 | Salisbury | $1,100 |
| 4 | Ocean City | $1,132 |
| 5 | Easton | $1,220 |
| 6 | Bladensburg | $1,242 |
| 7 | Temple Hills | $1,323 |
| 8 | Takoma Park | $1,330 |
| 9 | Berlin | $1,340 |
| 10 | Lochearn | $1,357 |
| 11 | Brentwood | $1,373 |
| 12 | Beltsville | $1,382 |
| 13 | Greater Landover | $1,399 |
| 14 | Chillum | $1,419 |
| 15 | Fort Washington | $1,425 |
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 | Chevy Chase | $2,430 |
| 6 | Jessup | $2,410 |
| 7 | Gambrills | $2,390 |
| 8 | Rockville | $2,343 |
| 9 | Hanover | $2,340 |
| 10 | Clinton | $2,320 |
| 11 | Brandywine | $2,300 |
| 12 | Odenton | $2,230 |
| 13 | Lake Arbor | $2,185 |
| 14 | Upper Marlboro | $2,160 |
| 15 | Crofton | $2,140 |
Nearby cities — 1-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Ellicott City.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Ellicott City |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia, MD | 4.9 mi | $2,003 | $-62 (-3%) |
| Windsor Mill, MD | 6.8 mi | $1,590 | $-475 (-23%) |
| Jessup, MD | 10.6 mi | $2,410 | +$345 (+17%) |
| Garrison, MD | 11.4 mi | $1,781 | $-284 (-14%) |
| Sykesville, MD | 12.7 mi | $1,690 | $-375 (-18%) |
| Reisterstown, MD | 15.4 mi | $1,560 | $-505 (-24%) |
| Severn, MD | 15.5 mi | $1,940 | $-125 (-6%) |
| Greenbelt, MD | 18.3 mi | $1,980 | $-85 (-4%) |
| College Park, MD | 19.1 mi | $1,754 | $-311 (-15%) |
| Towson, MD | 19.5 mi | $1,770 | $-295 (-14%) |
| Silver Spring, MD | 19.5 mi | $1,627 | $-438 (-21%) |
| Cockeysville, MD | 19.7 mi | $1,630 | $-435 (-21%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Ellicott City — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Ellicott City?
As of October 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Ellicott City, Maryland is $2,065 per month. This is +20% below the citywide median of $2,596.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Ellicott City?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $82,600 ($6,883/month gross), which works out to roughly $39.71/hour at a full-time job.
Is Ellicott City expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Ellicott City's 1-bedroom median of $2,065 is +48% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 84th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Ellicott City rank for 1-bedroom rent in Maryland?
Among the 91 cities in Maryland with 1-bedroom data, Ellicott City ranks #72 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Ellicott City?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Columbia ($2,003), Windsor Mill ($1,590), Garrison ($1,781).