Dorsey Overlook
9580 Old Route 108,
Ellicott City, MD 21042
3 Beds | $3,300 - $4,800
Rental Market Trends in Columbia, MD
What is the average rent in Columbia, MD?
$1,910/month
Average Rent
773 Sq Ft
Average Apartment Size
+1.6%
Increase in the Last Year
As of March 2025, the average rent in Columbia, MD is $1,910 per month. This is 22% higher than the national average rent price of $1,560/month, making Columbia one of the most expensive cities in the US. When you rent an apartment in Columbia, you can expect to pay about $1,922 per month for a studio, $1,910 for a one-bedroom apartment, and around $2,196 for a two-bedroom apartment. If you opt for a three-bedroom rental, you could pay $2,697 or more.
Floor Plan Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Floor Plan Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Floor Plan Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Floor Plan Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
How much has average rent changed in Columbia, MD?
In the past year, rent has increased by 1.6%, which averages out to $32 more per month.
Market Trends Over Time
The chart below compares average rent prices to the previous year during the same time period.
Last Updated March 2025
Legend
2024
2025
Rent Ranges in Columbia, MD
Last Updated March 2025
Above $2,000
Most rental prices fall within this range
Percentage*
Rent Range
0%
Below $700/month
0%
$700 - $1,000/month
2%
$1,001 - $1,500/month
42%
$1,501 - $2,000/month
56%
Above $2,000/month
Rent by Neighborhood
Last Updated Today
What are the most affordable neighborhoods in Columbia?
Based on current rent prices, Oakland Mills, Kings Contrivance and Fairway Hills are the most affordable neighborhoods in Columbia.
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
What are the most expensive neighborhoods in Columbia?
Based on current rent prices, Downtown Columbia, Hickory Ridge and Wilde Lake are the most expensive neighborhoods in Columbia.
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Which Columbia neighborhoods have the most rentals available?
The neighborhoods in Columbia with the most apartments available are Downtown Columbia, Hickory Ridge and Harper's Choice .
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
What salary do I need to live comfortably in Columbia, MD?
Because the average rent in Columbia is $1,910, you’ll want to make about $6,366 per month or $76,392 per year. The general guideline is to pay no more than 30 percent of your monthly income on rent. However, you’ll want to consider additional factors, such as your monthly bills and other expenses. Use our rent affordability calculator to help determine how much to budget for rent.
How does Columbia, MD compare to other nearby cities and neighborhoods?
Use the tool below to compare Columbia, MD to other nearby cities and neighborhoods. The Apartments.com neighborhood guides provide you with insight into the area’s transportation, things to do, and more.
Studio
-
$1,919/month
One Bedroom
$1,582/month
$2,233/month
Two Bedroom
$1,816/month
$2,760/month
Three Bedroom
$2,160/month
$3,351/month
Nearby City Rent Trends
Apartment communities in Columbia we think you'll love
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The Dolben Company
-
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Humphrey Development
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18
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Armiger Management Corporation
-
10
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1,618
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9
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AvalonBay
-
175
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64,584
Units
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119
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ZRS Management
-
295
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87,786
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118
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Two Coast Living
-
91
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-
27,851
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-
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Methodology
† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.
Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.
Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in February 2025.
* Percentages may not total 100 due to rounding.