In Ellicott City, a typical home is worth $661,700 and typical rent is $2,061 a month. Compared with all of Howard County, the typical home value is 11% higher.
Typical home value from Zillow, September 2021 to September 2026: from $617,403 to $725,922.
Typical rent
$2,596a month
▲ 3.2% more than 12 months ago
Typical rent from Zillow, September 2021 to September 2026: from $2,149 to $2,596.
From Zillow (ZHVI/ZORI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).
Ellicott City is in Howard County. The FHA loan limit ($747,500 for a one-unit home), the fair market rents and the help on this page are those of all of Howard County. See the county
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
1
Nearby, in Milford Mill, the typical home value is $273,600: 59% less than in Ellicott City ($661,700).
2
Nearby, in Woodlawn, the typical rent is $1,494: 28% less than in Ellicott City ($2,061).
3
Ellicott City has the 19th highest typical home value of the 202 cities in Maryland with more than 5,000 people ($661,700).
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).
The homes here
Housing in Ellicott City
What homes there are in Ellicott City, what they cost, how that changed and how people live, from Census figures (2020–2024).
What homes there are
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Kind of home
Detached houseAttached houseBuilding of 2 to 4Apartments (5 or more)Mobile homeBoat, RV and otherUnreliable estimate
Ellicott City
Howard County
Maryland
United States
Kind of home: Ellicott City and its comparisons
Measure
Ellicott City
Howard County
Maryland
United States
Detached house
54%
50%
51%
61%
Attached house
19%
22%
21%
6%
Building of 2 to 4
Unreliable estimate
2%
4%
8%
Apartments (5 or more)
26%
25%
23%
19%
Mobile home
Unreliable estimate
1%
1%
6%
Boat, RV and other
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
0%
0%
Detached houses, standing on their own, make up 54% of homes here, against 50% in Howard County.
Year built
Before 19601960–19791980–19992000–20092010 or later
Ellicott City
Howard County
Maryland
United States
Year built: Ellicott City and its comparisons
Measure
Ellicott City
Howard County
Maryland
United States
Before 1960
8%
6%
26%
26%
1960–1979
19%
24%
25%
24%
1980–1999
39%
42%
28%
25%
2000–2009
18%
14%
12%
14%
2010 or later
17%
15%
9%
11%
In Ellicott City, half of the homes were built before 1992; in Howard County, before 1989.
Much as in Howard County, 72% of homes in Ellicott City have 3 bedrooms or more.
What it costs here
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Value of owner-occupied homes
Unreliable estimate
Under $100K2%
$100K–$200KUnreliable
$200K–$300KUnreliable
$300K–$500K15%
$500K–$750K46%
$750K–$1M27%
$1M or more7%
Value of owner-occupied homes: Ellicott City and its comparisons
Measure
Ellicott City
Under $100K
2%
$100K–$200K
Unreliable estimate
$200K–$300K
Unreliable estimate
$300K–$500K
15%
$500K–$750K
46%
$750K–$1M
27%
$1M or more
7%
Monthly rent with utilities
Unreliable estimate
Under $500Unreliable
$500–$999Unreliable
$1,000–$1,49912%
$1,500–$1,99932%
$2,000–$2,49927%
$2,500–$2,99915%
$3,000 or more12%
Monthly rent with utilities: Ellicott City and its comparisons
Measure
Ellicott City
Under $500
Unreliable
$500–$999
Unreliable estimate
$1,000–$1,499
12%
$1,500–$1,999
32%
$2,000–$2,499
27%
$2,500–$2,999
15%
$3,000 or more
12%
With a mortgage
$3,255 a month
Howard County: $3,021 a month
Without a mortgage
$1,131 a month
Howard County: $1,044 a month
Owners with a mortgage
68%
Howard County: 72%
In Ellicott City, 68% of owners have a mortgage, and their typical cost is $3,255 a month, against $3,021 in Howard County. Without one it drops to $1,131.
How it changed
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024
Change since 2015–2019
Typical home value
Ellicott City+23%
Howard County+31%
Maryland+33%
United States+53%
Typical rent
Ellicott City+28%
Howard County+22%
Maryland+23%
United States+33%
Typical household income
Ellicott City+19%
Howard County+24%
Maryland+22%
United States+29%
Change since 2015–2019: Ellicott City and its comparisons
Measure
Ellicott City
Howard County
Maryland
United States
Typical home value
+23%
+31%
+33%
+53%
Typical rent
+28%
+22%
+23%
+33%
Typical household income
+19%
+24%
+22%
+29%
Homes in Ellicott City gained value more slowly than in Howard County: 23% since 2015–2019, against 31%.
Rents in Ellicott City rose faster than in Howard County: 28% since 2015–2019, against 22%.
Housing prices ran ahead of income in Ellicott City: typical income rose 19%, against +23% for home values and +28% for rent.
How people live
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
How people live: Ellicott City and its comparisons
Measure
Ellicott City
Howard County
Maryland
United States
Rental vacancy
Unreliable estimate
5.3%
4.7%
5.5%
Homeowner vacancy
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
0.8%
0.9%
More than one person per room
1.6%
1.8%
2.5%
3.4%
People per household
2.77
2.76
2.57
2.53
Drive alone
65%
65%
65%
69%
Carpool
5%
5%
8%
9%
Public transit
Unreliable estimate
2%
4%
3%
Walk or bike
Unreliable estimate
1%
2%
3%
Work from home
27%
26%
19%
15%
Other means
1%
1%
2%
2%
Typical commute
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
More than one person per room: that is how 1.6% of households in Ellicott City live, near the figure in Howard County (1.8%).
A household in Ellicott City has 2.77 people on average, about the same as in Howard County (2.76).
To get to work, 65% of workers in Ellicott City drive alone; in Howard County, 65%.
Do the math
What would you pay each month for a home in Ellicott City?
A typical home costs more than the typical income allows
We start with a typical home in Ellicott City, worth $661,700, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 43% of the typical household income in Ellicott City, which is $156,964 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $241,821 a year.
The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Howard County.
Change the price, the down payment or the loan: the payment updates right away.
Your numbers
Local data
$
Starts at the typical home value in Ellicott City. Change it to the price you have in mind.
Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.
Down payment
%
That is $23,160 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.
This week's average ± a quarter or half point.
National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.
Adjust advanced details⌄
Estimated monthly payment
Local data
$5,643
at 7.18% · 30 years
Loan amount
$649,714
Total interest
$934,787
Paid off in
November 2056
Includes $11,174 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.
Does it fit the income?
Comfortable
up to $3,662 a month
Tight
$3,662 to $4,709 a month
Hard
more than $4,709 a month
Your payment · 43%
Compared with the typical household income in Ellicott City ($156,964 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.
Monthly payment breakdown
Principal & interest
$4,401
Property tax
$673
Home insurance
$276
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)
$293
You need at least $23,160 for the down payment, plus closing costs.
This is an estimate to give you an idea, not a loan offer. Your real payment depends on your rate, your credit, and the insurance and taxes on the home you buy.
Total monthly payment $5,643; principal and interest $4,401.
The city and its county
Ellicott City and Howard County
Ellicott City is in Howard County, Maryland. The U.S. Census Bureau publishes its own numbers for the city: home values, rent, household income, how many households own their home and the property tax. They are American Community Survey estimates (average 2020–2024).
Ellicott City
Map of Howard County, Maryland, with Ellicott City marked. Around it, the neighboring counties.
Ellicott City
Howard County
Other cities with a page
Ellicott City's own numbers
Typical home value
$661,700
Typical monthly rent
$2,061
Typical yearly household income
$156,964
Households that own their home
72%
Effective property tax rate
1.22%
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).
Numbers for all of Howard County
FHA limit, one-unit home
$747,500
Conventional limit, one unit
$832,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$2,006
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+40%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
0.3%
HUD, FHFA and FEMA don't publish these numbers by city.
Other numbers are not published by city, only for the whole county: FHA and conventional loan limits, HUD’s fair market rents, FHFA’s price index and FEMA’s flood data. On this page, those numbers always say they are for all of Howard County.
A typical home in Ellicott City is worth $661,700: 11% above the county and 58% above Maryland. With the typical household income in Ellicott City ($156,964 a year), a typical home costs 4.2 times what the household earns in a year.
Years of income to pay for a typical home
The typical home value divided by the typical household income for one year. The lower it is, the less buying weighs.
Ellicott City4.2 years
Howard4.0 years
Maryland4.1 years
United States4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024
How prices have changed in Howard County
According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Howard County rose 53% in the 10 years through 2025.
FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of Howard County.
Yearly change in FHFA’s price index in Howard County, 2016 to 2025
2016: +1.7% +1.7% 2016
2017: +2.0% +2.0% 2017
2018: +1.8% +1.8% 2018
2019: +1.9% +1.9% 2019
2020: +1.6% +1.6% 2020
2021: +7.5% +7.5% 2021
2022: +11.6% +11.6% 2022
2023: +7.4% +7.4% 2023
2024: +6.3% +6.3% 2024
2025: +2.0% +2.0% 2025
Change in FHFA’s price index in Howard County, Maryland and the United States
Period
County
Maryland
U.S.
Last year (2025)
+2.0%
+2.7%
+2.9%
5 years (2020–2025)
+40%
+40%
+47%
10 years (2015–2025)
+53%
+60%
+85%
The index follows the price of the same homes over time (sales and appraisals with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans). It is not the average price of a home. FHFA considers its annual county indexes experimental. Source: FHFA, 2025 data
Ellicott City next to Howard County, Maryland and the U.S.
Three numbers side by side. “Typical” means the median: half are above it and half below.
Typical home value
Ellicott City$661,700
Howard$597,900
Maryland$419,900
United States$332,700
Typical monthly rent
Ellicott City$2,061
Howard$2,099
Maryland$1,705
United States$1,413
Typical yearly household income
Ellicott City$156,964
Howard$149,763
Maryland$103,678
United States$80,734
See the full table
Ellicott City next to Howard County and Maryland
Measure
Ellicott City
Howard County
Maryland
U.S.
Typical home value
$661,700 ▲11% above the county
$597,900
$419,900
$332,700
Typical monthly rent
$2,061
$2,099
$1,705
$1,413
Typical yearly household income
$156,964 ▲5% above the county
$149,763
$103,678
$80,734
Households that own their home
72% ▲1 points above the county
71%
68%
65%
Typical yearly property tax
$8,044 ▲15% above the county
$6,987
$4,093
$3,119
Effective property tax rate
1.22% ▲0.05 points above the county
1.17%
0.97%
0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income
54% ▲6 points above the county
48%
51%
51%
“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Howard County. “High rent” is the Census measure: renter households that pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Ellicott City
For a typical $661,700 home in Ellicott City, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Ellicott City's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.
FHA, 3.5% down$5,642a month
Least cash to close
Down payment
$23,160
Cash to close
$43,011
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
FHA MIP · $293
Conventional, 5% down$5,521a month
Down payment
$33,085
Cash to close
$52,936
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
PMI · $314
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI$4,535a month
Down payment
$132,340
Cash to close
$152,191
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
ITIN, 15% down (example)$5,146a month
Down payment
$99,255
Cash to close
$119,106
Rate
8.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Ellicott City
Loan
Monthly payment
Down payment
Loan amount
Rate
Mortgage insurance
Cash to close
Minimum score
FHA, 3.5% down Least cash to close
$5,642
$23,160
$649,715
7.18%
FHA MIP · $293
$43,011
580
Conventional, 5% down
$5,521
$33,085
$628,615
7.18%
PMI · $314
$52,936
620*
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI
$4,535
$132,340
$529,360
7.18%
None
$152,191
620*
ITIN, 15% down (example)
$5,146
$99,255
$562,445
8.18%
None
$119,106
Set by the lender
The option that asks for the least cash to close is FHA, 3.5% down.
Cash to close = down payment plus 3% of the price in closing costs (example).
Minimum score: FHA requires 580 or higher for the minimum down payment (HUD Handbook 4000.1). * Fannie Mae requires 620 when a loan is underwritten by hand; its automated system has no fixed minimum.
The ITIN row is an example with a rate 1 percentage point higher: ITIN loans follow no federal rule and each lender sets its own down payment and rate. Nothing in this table promises an approval.
Property tax and flood insurance raise or lower what you pay each month. Here are the numbers for Ellicott City and for Howard County.
Property tax
Effective rate in Ellicott City
1.22%of the home’s value each year
$8,044 a year for the typical owner in Ellicott City.
Ellicott City1.22%
Howard1.17%
Maryland0.97%
What Maryland publishesHomestead tax credit (cap on yearly assessment increases) (Maryland General Assembly (Annotated Code of Maryland, Tax-Property Article))
Typical rent in Ellicott City is $2,061 a month: about the same as the county. In Ellicott City, 54% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Howard County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($2,006 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $38.58 an hour working full time.
What you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income, working full time.
HUD fair market rent in Howard County (Fiscal year 2027)
Size
Fair rent a month
Hourly wage
Yearly income
Studio
$1,523
$29.29
$60,920
1 bedroom
$1,625
$31.25
$65,000
2 bedrooms
$2,006
$38.58
$80,240
3 bedrooms
$2,509
$48.25
$100,360
4 bedrooms
$2,789
$53.63
$111,560
Includes basic utilities. It isn't the lowest or highest rent: it's a reference point. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027
By ZIP code
Fair market rent by ZIP code in Ellicott City
HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Ellicott City has 2 ZIP codes with their own.
For 2 bedrooms it runs from $2,480 in 21043 to $2,640 in 21042.
2 of the 2 are above the fair market rent for Howard County ($2,006).
Fair market rent by ZIP code and size in Ellicott City, fiscal year 2027.
21042
$2,000
$2,140
$2,640
$3,300
$3,670
21043
$1,880
$2,010
$2,480
$3,100
$3,450
ZIP code2 bd3 bd
21042 $2,640$3,300
21043 $2,480$3,100
2 of these ZIP codes cross the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for Ellicott City when at least 50% of its land is inside the city or it covers at least 15% of the city (Census 2020 boundaries). Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD)Fiscal year 2027Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (external site)Source: Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship fileData from 2020 dataCensus Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file (external site)
HUD lists 5 buildings with rents for lower incomes in Ellicott City. These are the largest.
Residences of Ellicott Gardens5505 Waterloo Rd, Ellicott City 21043106 low-income homes · In service since 2009 · For families(443) 259-4926
Hilltop Phase I3628 Mount Ida Dr, Ellicott City 21043198 homes, 91 low-income · 1 bd: 22 · 2 bd: 29 · 3 bd: 40 · In service since 2013 · For people with disabilities, families
Park View at Ellicott City I8720 Ridge Rd, Ellicott City 2104381 low-income homes · 1 bd: 71 · 2 bd: 10 · In service since 1999
Selborne House (dorsey Hall)5320 Dorsey Hall Dr, Ellicott City 2104272 low-income homes · 1 bd: 60 · 2 bd: 12 · In service since 2000 · For older adults
Burgess Mill Station3050 Milltowne Dr, Ellicott City 2104390 homes
You do not have to do this alone. A HUD-approved housing counseling agency helps for free or at low cost: getting ready to buy, understanding your credit, or solving a problem with your rent.
We found no HUD-approved agencies with an office in Howard County. The nearest ones are below; many serve by phone or online.
No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for Ellicott City or Howard County. The ones below are statewide in Maryland: they work in Ellicott City the same as in the rest of the state.
Maryland Mortgage Program mortgages for first-time buyers, with a deferred 0% second mortgage for the down payment: $6,000, or 3%, 4% or 5% of the loan.Offered by Maryland Mortgage Program (Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development).
Maryland Mortgage Program mortgages for first-time buyers and for people who have owned a home before; Flex 6000 brings $6,000 and Flex 3% brings 3% of the loan for the down payment, as a deferred 0% second loan.Offered by Maryland Mortgage Program (Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development).
Maryland Mortgage Program loan of up to 15% of the price (maximum $25,000) to pay off your student debt when you buy a home; no interest or monthly payments, and forgiven after five years if you stay in the home.Offered by Maryland Mortgage Program (Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development).
The HUD-approved agencies closest to the center of Ellicott City, in a straight line, nearest first. If one says it serves in Spanish, its card says so.
No legal help resource on our list is for Ellicott City or Howard County in particular.
If you have a problem with your landlord, an eviction notice or a scam, the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) search shows the free legal aid offices that serve your area.
Short answers with the numbers for Ellicott City and all of Howard County. If your case is different, a HUD-approved counseling agency can guide you for free or at low cost.
How much does a typical home cost in Ellicott City?
The typical home value in Ellicott City is $661,700, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Howard County it is $597,900.
How much does it cost to rent in Ellicott City?
Typical rent in Ellicott City is $2,061 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Howard County is $2,006.
What is the FHA loan limit in Ellicott City?
Ellicott City uses the FHA limit for all of Howard County (2026): $747,500 for a one-unit home and $1,437,500 for a four-unit home.
How much property tax do owners pay in Ellicott City?
The typical homeowner in Ellicott City pays $8,044 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 1.22% of the home’s value; in Howard County, the rate is 1.17%.
Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Ellicott City?
We found no HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in Howard County; the nearest ones are on this page. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.
