Can A Plumber Afford Rent in Ellicott City, MD?

Rent-burdened — rent takes 43.4% of gross income.

Ellicott City rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Maryland state estimate).

Ellicott City median rent
$2,623/mo
Plumber salary (Maryland)
$72,468/yr
Rent as % of income
43.4%
Gross monthly income works out to about $6,039, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,812/mo in rent. Ellicott City's median rent of $2,623 exceeds that threshold by $811/mo, putting a plumber salary into the rent-burdened range here. A plumber works roughly 75.3 hours a month to cover that rent.

About rent and a plumber salary

Plumber pay sits comfortably above the US median household income and covers affordable rent in most US metros. At the national-average plumber salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,678 a month in rent. The per-city pages combine local rent with local plumber-pay estimates so renters can see where the math works.

Cheaper rent nearby

These Maryland cities have lower median rent than Ellicott City, which improves the affordability math on a plumber salary:

New Market, MD
$2,622/mo (43.4% of income)
Annapolis Junction, MD
$2,620/mo (43.4% of income)
Berlin, MD
$2,619/mo (43.4% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Ellicott City

View full rent data for Ellicott City, MD

Frequently asked questions

Can a plumber afford rent in Ellicott City, MD?

Median rent in Ellicott City is $2,623 a month. A typical plumber in Maryland earns about $72,468 a year, which makes that rent 43.4% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.

How much rent can a plumber afford in Ellicott City?

Using the 30% rule, a plumber salary in Maryland (~$72,468/yr) supports up to $1,812 a month in rent. Ellicott City's current median rent is $2,623/mo, which is $811/mo over the affordability threshold.

How many hours does a plumber work to cover rent in Ellicott City?

At an hourly equivalent of about $35 an hour, a plumber in Maryland works roughly 75.3 hours a month to cover Ellicott City's median rent of $2,623.

Where is rent cheaper than Ellicott City for a plumber?

Nearby Maryland cities with lower median rent include New Market ($2,622/mo), Annapolis Junction ($2,620/mo), Berlin ($2,619/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a plumber salary.

Methodology: Salary uses the BLS-derived Maryland state estimate from OEWS May 2024. Rent is the most recent ZORI monthly value for Ellicott City, MD. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.