Studio Apartment Rent in Ellicott City, MD
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Ellicott City, Maryland as of July 2026. That's +29% lower than the citywide median of $2,552 and +40% above the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio 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 studio 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 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 Ellicott City.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Ellicott City |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia, MD | 4.9 mi | $1,760 | $-50 (-3%) |
| Windsor Mill, MD | 6.8 mi | $1,400 | $-410 (-23%) |
| Jessup, MD | 10.6 mi | $2,110 | +$300 (+17%) |
| Garrison, MD | 11.4 mi | $1,706 | $-104 (-6%) |
| Sykesville, MD | 12.7 mi | $1,480 | $-330 (-18%) |
| Reisterstown, MD | 15.4 mi | $1,370 | $-440 (-24%) |
| Severn, MD | 15.5 mi | $1,700 | $-110 (-6%) |
| Olney, MD | 17.8 mi | $2,380 | +$570 (+31%) |
| Greenbelt, MD | 18.3 mi | $1,940 | +$130 (+7%) |
| College Park, MD | 19.1 mi | $1,722 | $-88 (-5%) |
| Towson, MD | 19.5 mi | $1,550 | $-260 (-14%) |
| Silver Spring, MD | 19.5 mi | $1,590 | $-220 (-12%) |
Studio rent in Ellicott City — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Ellicott City?
As of July 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Ellicott City, Maryland is $1,810 per month. This is +29% below the citywide median of $2,552.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Ellicott City?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $72,400 ($6,033/month gross), which works out to roughly $34.81/hour at a full-time job.
Is Ellicott City expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Ellicott City's studio median of $1,810 is +40% above the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 81th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Ellicott City rank for studio rent in Maryland?
Among the 90 cities in Maryland with studio data, Ellicott City ranks #62 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Ellicott City?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Columbia ($1,760), Windsor Mill ($1,400), Garrison ($1,706).