salaryRent is higher than in 61% of U.S. cities. Household incomes are higher than in 93% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.9 years of household income. It is a highly educated city: 68.8% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $74,560 a year. That is $36 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Maryland cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Maryland. It is number 67 of 200 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Ellicott City?
Share of households by yearly income. 60.0% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Ellicott City
| Size | Ellicott City | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $2,263 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,776 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,211 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,801 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,881 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Ellicott City overall?
Everyday prices in Maryland overall are 5% above the U.S. average (index 105.0, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Ellicott City, so the Maryland figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Ellicott City
Life in Ellicott City
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Ellicott City?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $2,727 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $661,700 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $66,170 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Ellicott City, MD?
Renting in Ellicott City costs a median of about $1,864 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Maryland median is $2,010.
How much do I need to make to live in Ellicott City?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $74,560 a year, or $36 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Ellicott City cheap or expensive?
Ellicott City is rated Cheap: rent takes 13.2% of the typical household income of $169,286. It ranks 67th cheapest of 200 Maryland cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Ellicott City?
The median homeowner in Ellicott City pays $8,044 a year in property taxes, about 1.22% of the median home value.
Is Ellicott City more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in Maryland are 5% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Ellicott City?
The median home value in Ellicott City is $661,700, about 3.9 times the typical yearly household income.
75,257 people live in Ellicott City. Numbers are typical (middle) values.