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Is Ellicott City a Good Place to Live? Ellicott City, Maryland: cost of living, crime, schools and rankings
Ellicott City ranks #14 of the 1,312 US cities we track, #8 of 524 smaller cities and #2 of 20 in Maryland. Against similar-size cities it stands out for low poverty (3.7%, #8 of 524) and high household income ($156,964, #22 of 524), and trails on expensive homes ($661,700, #433 of 524) and high rents ($2,061/mo, #421 of 524).
Ellicott City by the numbers
The measures people check first, each with Ellicott City's rank among the tracked cities and the US figure (or the similar-size median where there is no national figure).
No crime figure is shown for Ellicott City: no police agency reports to the FBI for it alone. See Is Ellicott City safe?
What is the cost of living in Ellicott City?
Ellicott City's cost of living index is 104.5, 4% above the US level of 100 and #923 of 1,308 cities with data (1 = cheapest). Median rent is $2,061/mo against $1,633/mo in similar-size cities. The typical home is worth $735,463, 72% above the typical Maryland home ($428,308).
| Measure | Ellicott City | MarylandMD | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost of living indexBEA Regional Price Parities, metro area · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size 102.4 · US 100 | 104.5#923 of 1,308 | 105 | 102.4 | 100 |
| Typical home valueZillow Home Value Index · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $431,438 · US $368,697 | $735,463#1026 of 1,187 | $428,308 | $431,438 | $368,697 |
| Typical asking rentZillow Observed Rent Index · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $1,884/mo · US $1,948/mo | $2,660/mo#953 of 1,115 | — | $1,884/mo | $1,948/mo |
| Median home value (Census)Census ACS · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $401,950 | $661,700#1128 of 1,309 | — | $401,950 | — |
| Median rent (Census)Census ACS · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $1,633/mo | $2,061/mo#1121 of 1,309 | — | $1,633/mo | — |
| Home value to incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 4.5x | 4.2x#631 of 1,309 | — | 4.5x | — |
| Rent as a share of incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 22.2% | 15.8%#88 of 1,309 | — | 22.2% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 524 cities of 50,000 to 100,000 we track (median). Maryland is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure. Zillow figures track homes and rentals on the market now; Census figures are survey medians of all homes and leases, so the two differ.
Ellicott City housing market · August
Typical home value is a monthly index of homes in the middle third of the market; the Census figures above are survey medians and will differ. Source in the data sources list below. Ellicott City is in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro.
Maryland housing market →Is Ellicott City safe?
No police agency reports crime to the FBI for Ellicott City alone, which is typical of places policed by a county sheriff, so we don't publish a Ellicott City crime rate or rank it on safety. Maryland as a whole records 358 violent crimes per 100,000 residents against 328 nationally.
What do people earn in Ellicott City?
The median household in Ellicott City earns $156,964, 89% above the US figure of $83,163 and 53% above Maryland ($102,905). 3.7% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Ellicott City | MarylandMD | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median household incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = highestSimilar-size $83,646 · US $83,163 | $156,964#35 of 1,312 | $102,905 | $83,646 | $83,163 |
| Poverty rateCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 10.8% | 3.7%#38 of 1,312 | — | 10.8% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 524 cities of 50,000 to 100,000 we track (median). Maryland is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure.
Who lives in Ellicott City?
The median resident of Ellicott City is 43.2 years old, against 37.7 in similar-size cities. 68.8% of adults have a bachelor's degree or more, #59 of 1,312 cities (1 = highest). 72% of occupied homes are lived in by their owners; the rest are rented.
| Measure | Ellicott City | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median ageCensus ACSSimilar-size 37.7 | 43.2 | 37.7 | — |
| Adults with a bachelor's degree or moreCensus ACS · rank 1 = highestSimilar-size 35.1% | 68.8%#59 of 1,312 | 35.1% | — |
| Homes lived in by their ownerCensus ACSSimilar-size 61.7% | 72% | 61.7% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 524 cities of 50,000 to 100,000 we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure.
How are Ellicott City's schools and health?
Ellicott City's 14 public schools graduate 93% of students in four years (Maryland 86.3%), with 14.7 students per teacher and $19,256 spent per pupil. 26.9% of adults are obese and 10.5% have diabetes, against similar-size city medians of 31.9% and 11%.
| Measure | Ellicott City | MarylandMD | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High school graduation rateDepartment of Education EDFacts · rank 1 = highestSimilar-size 89% | 93%#172 of 1,063 | 86.3% | 89% | — |
| Students per teacherNCES Common Core of Data · rank 1 = fewestSimilar-size 16.4 | 14.7#405 of 1,188 | — | 16.4 | — |
| Spending per pupilNCES school finance survey · rank 1 = mostSimilar-size $15,354 | $19,256#244 of 1,188 | — | $15,354 | — |
| Adult obesityCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 31.9% | 26.9%#221 of 1,311 | — | 31.9% | — |
| Adult diabetesCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 11% | 10.5%#500 of 1,311 | — | 11% | — |
| Adults with frequent mental distressCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 16.7% | 11.3%#9 of 1,311 | — | 16.7% | — |
| Adults without health insuranceCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 10.1% | 4.8%#51 of 1,311 | — | 10.1% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 524 cities of 50,000 to 100,000 we track (median). Maryland is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure. 12,222 students are enrolled in Ellicott City's public schools.
What are the commute and weather like in Ellicott City?
The average commute in Ellicott City is 28.2 minutes (Maryland 32.3); 0.5% of workers take transit and 27.2% work from home. On the EPA's walkability index Ellicott City scores 9.1 of 20 (below average walkable), #812 of 1,312 cities (1 = most walkable). Summers average 76°F and winters 36.5°F, with 45 inches of precipitation a year.
| Measure | Ellicott City | MarylandMD | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average commuteCensus ACS · rank 1 = shortestSimilar-size 25.1 min | 28.2 min#1011 of 1,312 | 32.3 min | 25.1 min | — |
| Commutes of an hour or moreCensus ACS · rank 1 = fewestSimilar-size 6.5% | 7.5%#871 of 1,312 | 14.5% | 6.5% | — |
| Drive alone to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 70.8% | 65.4% | 66.4% | 70.8% | — |
| Take transit to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 1.1% | 0.5% | 5% | 1.1% | — |
| Walk to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 1.4% | 0.7% | 2.3% | 1.4% | — |
| Bike to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 0.2% | 0.1% | 0.3% | 0.2% | — |
| Work from homeCensus ACSSimilar-size 13.7% | 27.2% | 15.6% | 13.7% | — |
| Walkability index (1 to 20)EPA National Walkability Index · rank 1 = most walkableSimilar-size 11.1 | 9.1#812 of 1,312 | — | 11.1 | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 524 cities of 50,000 to 100,000 we track (median). Maryland is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure. The walkability index is the EPA's, averaged over the city's neighborhoods by population.
| Month | Average high (°F) | Average low (°F) | Precipitation (inches) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 43.2 | 25.4 | 3.1 |
| Feb | 46.4 | 26.9 | 2.9 |
| Mar | 54.8 | 33.9 | 4 |
| Apr | 66.5 | 43.6 | 3.4 |
| May | 75.5 | 53.3 | 3.9 |
| Jun | 84.4 | 62.6 | 4 |
| Jul | 88.8 | 67.7 | 4.5 |
| Aug | 86.5 | 65.8 | 4.1 |
| Sep | 79.7 | 58.8 | 4.4 |
| Oct | 68.3 | 46.5 | 3.9 |
| Nov | 57.3 | 36.5 | 3.1 |
| Dec | 47.5 | 29.6 | 3.7 |
Top: average low to average high, °F. Bottom: precipitation, inches. NOAA 30-year climate normals at Baltimore-Washington International Airport.
| Measure | Ellicott City | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureNOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 58.1°F | 56.2°F | 58.1°F | — |
| Summer average (Jun–Aug)NOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 74.2°F | 76°F | 74.2°F | — |
| Winter average (Dec–Feb)NOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 40.8°F | 36.5°F | 40.8°F | — |
| Precipitation a yearNOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 38.3 in | 45 in | 38.3 in | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 524 cities of 50,000 to 100,000 we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure. NOAA 30-year climate normals at Baltimore-Washington International Airport.
What are the air quality and natural hazard risks in Ellicott City?
Howard County's air had a median air quality index of 33, and 80% of measured days were rated good; 0 days were unhealthy for sensitive groups or worse, mostly from fine particles. Relative to other US counties, FEMA's National Risk Index puts Howard County's biggest natural hazard losses in hurricane, earthquake, and hail, with expected yearly losses of 0.05% of building value, lower than 100% of US counties.
| Measure | Ellicott City | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median air quality index (county)EPA Air Quality System · rank 1 = cleanestSimilar-size 44 | 33#100 of 1,138 | 44 | — |
| Unhealthy air days a year (county)EPA Air Quality System · rank 1 = fewestSimilar-size 3 | 0#1 of 1,138 | 3 | — |
| Yearly hazard losses, share of building value (county)FEMA National Risk Index · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 0.15% | 0.05%#6 of 1,312 | 0.15% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 524 cities of 50,000 to 100,000 we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure. County figures for Howard County: the EPA measures air at monitors and FEMA estimates hazard losses by county, not by city.
Natural hazard losses, Howard County
| Hazard | Yearly loss | Higher than |
|---|---|---|
| Hurricane | 0.0047% | 65% of counties |
| Earthquake | 0.0024% | 46% of counties |
| Hail | 0.0014% | 41% of counties |
| Tornado | 0.0017% | 21% of counties |
| Inland flooding | 0.036% | 3% of counties |
FEMA National Risk Index: expected yearly building losses from each hazard as a share of the county's building value, compared with every US county exposed to that hazard. Loss rates, unlike FEMA's risk ratings, do not rise just because a county has more property.
How does Ellicott City compare with similar-size cities?
Ellicott City is one of 524 cities of 50,000 to 100,000 we track and ranks #8 of them on overall score. The table sets it beside the 8 cities in other states closest to its population of 75,257.
| City | Rank | Score | Income | Rent | Violent crime | Commute |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ellicott City, MDPop. 75,257 | #14 | 74.3 | $156,964 | $2,061/mo | no data | 28.2 min |
| Pawtucket, RIPop. 75,893 | #549 | 57.3 | $68,310 | $1,208/mo | 224 | 25.6 min |
| Iowa City, IAPop. 75,752 | #437 | 59.3 | $58,546 | $1,094/mo | 257 | 17.3 min |
| Bismarck, NDPop. 75,556 | #311 | 61.8 | $78,387 | $999/mo | 241 | 15.6 min |
| Apple Valley, CAPop. 75,473 | #1260 | 41.4 | $69,882 | $1,444/mo | 485 | 41.1 min |
| Bowling Green, KYPop. 75,388 | #954 | 50.8 | $48,873 | $998/mo | 187 | 17.8 min |
| Rock Hill, SCPop. 75,259 | #989 | 50.3 | $68,771 | $1,341/mo | 394 | 25 min |
| Poinciana, FLPop. 75,068 | #1281 | 39.4 | $68,015 | $1,965/mo | no data | 46.8 min |
| Appleton, WIPop. 75,023 | #257 | 63.0 | $80,483 | $1,030/mo | 189 | 19.3 min |
Rank is overall rank of 1,312. Income is median household income; rent is Census median rent; violent crime is per 100,000 residents as reported to the FBI ("no data" and "incomplete" are explained on each city's page).
How does Ellicott City compare with the rest of Maryland?
Ellicott City ranks #2 of the 20 Maryland cities we track, with a score of 74.3 against Maryland's statewide 53.6. Its households earn 53% above the Maryland median. Homes are 72% above the typical Maryland home.
| City | Rank in MD | Score | Income | Rent | Violent crime |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bethesda, MDPop. 69,397 | #1 | 76.7 | $192,237 | $2,469/mo | no data |
| Ellicott City, MDPop. 75,257 | #2 | 74.3 | $156,964 | $2,061/mo | no data |
| Potomac, MDPop. 45,902 | #3 | 72.9 | $236,675 | $2,887/mo | no data |
| North Bethesda, MDPop. 49,677 | #4 | 72.1 | $129,092 | $2,191/mo | no data |
| Columbia, MDPop. 104,338 | #5 | 71.5 | $131,490 | $2,042/mo | no data |
| Rockville, MDPop. 67,671 | #6 | 71.4 | $128,649 | $2,274/mo | 108 |
| Gaithersburg, MDPop. 69,825 | #7 | 68.2 | $112,467 | $2,058/mo | 216 |
| Germantown, MDPop. 90,719 | #8 | 67.5 | $117,546 | $2,040/mo | no data |
| Severn, MDPop. 58,402 | #9 | 66.0 | $134,423 | $2,175/mo | no data |
| Bel Air South, MDPop. 58,137 | #10 | 64.9 | $123,653 | $1,757/mo | no data |
| Bowie, MDPop. 57,926 | #11 | 64.8 | $141,995 | $2,330/mo | 205 |
| Frederick, MDPop. 83,395 | #12 | 63.5 | $97,069 | $1,764/mo | 390 |
| Silver Spring, MDPop. 81,462 | #13 | 63.2 | $99,860 | $1,913/mo | no data |
| Wheaton, MDPop. 52,926 | #14 | 63.0 | $111,478 | $2,163/mo | no data |
| Aspen Hill, MDPop. 53,279 | #15 | 62.8 | $111,575 | $1,916/mo | no data |
| Towson, MDPop. 58,679 | #16 | 61.8 | $101,320 | $1,764/mo | no data |
| Waldorf, MDPop. 82,943 | #17 | 56.7 | $116,089 | $1,995/mo | no data |
| Glen Burnie, MDPop. 72,590 | #18 | 56.6 | $88,280 | $1,648/mo | no data |
| Baltimore, MDPop. 573,243 | #19 | 48.0 | $62,177 | $1,331/mo | 1,351 |
| Dundalk, MDPop. 65,969 | #20 | 45.5 | $64,520 | $1,473/mo | no data |
All 20 Maryland cities we track, by overall score. Maryland statewide: median income $102,905, violent crime 358 per 100,000.
How is Ellicott City's score calculated?
Ellicott City scores 74.3 out of 100, #14 of 1,312 (grade A+, which follows rank). It is scored on the 8 of 11 categories with local data; safety, growth, and outdoor access are left out rather than filled with Maryland's statewide figure, and the other weights are scaled up to fill the gap. Each score is compared with the median of similar-size cities, which are scored the same way.
- EconomyCity data, some inputs missing · 20% of score
Median household income and unemployment in Ellicott City. One input is missing, so the score uses the others. Similar-size median 55.5.
100.0 - HealthCity data · 16% of score
Adult obesity, diabetes and frequent mental distress in Ellicott City. Similar-size median 58.9.
77.2 - EducationCity data · 16% of score
Graduation rate, students per teacher and spending per pupil in Ellicott City's public schools. Similar-size median 55.2.
74.3 - AffordabilityCity data · 13% of score
Ellicott City's home values and rents and its metro area's price level. Similar-size median 59.3.
42.1 - Household financesCity data · 11% of score
Median household income and poverty rate in Ellicott City. Similar-size median 56.1.
98.7 - TransportationCity data · 9% of score
Commute time, long commutes, driving alone, transit, walking, cycling and working from home in Ellicott City. Similar-size median 50.0.
56.5 - WalkabilityCity data · 9% of score
The EPA's walkability index across Ellicott City's neighborhoods. Similar-size median 53.2.
42.6 - EnvironmentCounty data · 5% of score
Air quality and natural hazard losses in the county. Similar-size median 50.8.
86.8 - SafetyNot scored
No FBI figures from a police agency serving Ellicott City alone.
— - GrowthNot scored
The Census does not estimate yearly population for Ellicott City.
— - Outdoor accessNot scored
No city-level park or public land measure exists, so outdoor access is not scored for cities.
—
Bar: Ellicott City's category score out of 100. Tick: median of the 524 cities of 50,000 to 100,000 we track. Shares of score are the category weights rescaled over the categories Ellicott City has data for. City scores use city formulas and are not on the same scale as state scores. Grades follow rank among the 1,312 cities. Methodology
Frequently asked questions about living in Ellicott City
Is Ellicott City, MD a good place to live?
Ellicott City ranks #14 of the 1,312 US cities we track, #8 of 524 smaller cities and #2 of 20 in Maryland. Against similar-size cities it stands out for low poverty (3.7%, #8 of 524) and high household income ($156,964, #22 of 524), and trails on expensive homes ($661,700, #433 of 524) and high rents ($2,061/mo, #421 of 524).
What is the cost of living in Ellicott City?
Ellicott City's cost of living index is 104.5, 4% above the US level of 100 and #923 of 1,308 cities with data (1 = cheapest). Median rent is $2,061/mo against $1,633/mo in similar-size cities. The typical home is worth $735,463, 72% above the typical Maryland home ($428,308).
Is Ellicott City safe?
No police agency reports crime to the FBI for Ellicott City alone, which is typical of places policed by a county sheriff, so we don't publish a Ellicott City crime rate or rank it on safety. Maryland as a whole records 358 violent crimes per 100,000 residents against 328 nationally.
What is the median household income in Ellicott City?
The median household in Ellicott City earns $156,964, 89% above the US figure of $83,163 and 53% above Maryland ($102,905). 3.7% of residents live below the poverty line.
How much is rent in Ellicott City?
Median rent in Ellicott City is $2,061/mo (Census), #1121 of 1,309 cities with data (1 = cheapest). The typical asking rent for a unit on the market now is $2,660/mo, against $1,948/mo nationally. Median rent takes 15.8% of the median household's income.
How much does a house cost in Ellicott City?
The typical home value in Ellicott City is $735,463, up 0.7% in a year, against $428,308 for Maryland and $368,697 nationally. The Census median value of owner-occupied homes is $661,700.
How are the public schools in Ellicott City?
Ellicott City's 14 public schools graduate 93% of students in four years (Maryland 86.3%), with 14.7 students per teacher and $19,256 spent per pupil.
How long is the commute in Ellicott City?
The average commute is 28.2 minutes, #1011 of 1,312 cities (1 = shortest), against 32.3 minutes across Maryland. 7.5% of workers spend an hour or more getting to work.
What is the weather like in Ellicott City?
Ellicott City averages 56.2°F over the year, 76°F in summer and 36.5°F in winter, with 45 inches of precipitation. Figures are NOAA climate normals.
Is Ellicott City walkable?
Ellicott City scores 9.1 out of 20 on the EPA's National Walkability Index (below average walkable), #812 of 1,312 cities (1 = most walkable). The index weighs street intersection density, distance to transit and the mix of homes and jobs in each neighborhood.
What natural disasters is Ellicott City at risk for?
Relative to other US counties, FEMA's National Risk Index puts Howard County's biggest natural hazard losses in hurricane, earthquake, and hail, with expected yearly losses of 0.05% of building value, lower than 100% of US counties.
How is the air quality in Ellicott City?
Howard County's air had a median air quality index of 33, and 80% of measured days were rated good; 0 days were unhealthy for sensitive groups or worse, mostly from fine particles.
Who lives in Ellicott City?
Ellicott City has 75,257 residents. The median resident of Ellicott City is 43.2 years old, against 37.7 in similar-size cities. 68.8% of adults have a bachelor's degree or more, #59 of 1,312 cities (1 = highest). 72% of occupied homes are lived in by their owners; the rest are rented.
How does Ellicott City compare with the rest of Maryland?
Ellicott City ranks #2 of the 20 Maryland cities we track, with a score of 74.3 against Maryland's statewide 53.6. Its households earn 53% above the Maryland median. Homes are 72% above the typical Maryland home.
What cities are similar in size to Ellicott City?
The tracked cities in other states closest to Ellicott City's population of 75,257 are Pawtucket, RI (#549 overall), Iowa City, IA (#437 overall), Bismarck, ND (#311 overall), Apple Valley, CA (#1260 overall), and Bowling Green, KY (#954 overall). Ellicott City is #14.