Can A Registered Nurse Afford Rent in Ellicott City, MD?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 30.8% of gross income.
Ellicott City rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Maryland state estimate).
About rent and a registered nurse salary
Rent is the single largest fixed cost most renters carry, and the rent-to-income ratio is the simplest measure of whether a city is livable on a given salary. For renters earning a typical registered-nurse income, the 30% rule supports about $2,360 a month in rent. That margin covers comfortable one-bedroom rent in the vast majority of US metros but tightens significantly in the highest-rent coastal cities, where rent can claim 40% or more of an RN paycheck. The per-city pages below show the local rent, the local nurse-pay estimate, and where that combination sits on the affordability scale.
Cheaper rent nearby
These Maryland cities have lower median rent than Ellicott City, which improves the affordability math on a registered nurse salary:
Compare with full rent data for Ellicott City
View full rent data for Ellicott City, MD →Frequently asked questions
Can a registered nurse afford rent in Ellicott City, MD?
Median rent in Ellicott City is $2,623 a month. A typical registered nurse in Maryland earns about $102,038 a year, which makes that rent 30.8% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.
How much rent can a registered nurse afford in Ellicott City?
Using the 30% rule, a registered nurse salary in Maryland (~$102,038/yr) supports up to $2,551 a month in rent. Ellicott City's current median rent is $2,623/mo, which is $72/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a registered nurse work to cover rent in Ellicott City?
At an hourly equivalent of about $49 an hour, a registered nurse in Maryland works roughly 53.5 hours a month to cover Ellicott City's median rent of $2,623.
Where is rent cheaper than Ellicott City for a registered nurse?
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 registered nurse salary.