How many renters in Columbia, MD pay more than 30% of their income on rent?

Name: Rent burden in Columbia, MD, 2020–2024
Creator: US Census Bureau
License: https://www.census.gov/data/developers/about/terms-of-service.html

44.7% (±4.0 points) of renting households in Columbia, MD spend 30% or more of their household income on gross rent (2020–2024 American Community Survey).

35.2% spend 35% or more.

The median renting household spends 27.9% of its income on rent.

Figures last updated on November 12, 2026.

Paying 30% or more: 44.7% (±4.0 points)
Paying 35% or more: 35.2% (±3.2 points)
Median share of income: 27.9% (±1.4 points)

Rent as a share of income in Columbia

Renting households by gross rent as a percentage of household income, 2020–2024
Share of income spent on rent	Columbia	Howard County	Maryland	United States
Less than 15%	14.4% (±2.7 points)	11.5%	11.5%	12.6%
15% to 19.9%	12.6% (±2.8 points)	14.3%	12.0%	12.2%
20% to 24.9%	15.6% (±2.5 points)	14.4%	13.1%	12.6%
25% to 29.9%	12.9% (±2.7 points)	12.0%	11.9%	11.5%
30% to 34.9%	9.5% (±2.4 points)	9.0%	9.2%	9.2%
35% or more	35.2% (±3.2 points)	38.7%	42.3%	41.9%

Households whose income could not be measured against their rent (for example, those reporting no income) are left out of these shares, as the Census Bureau leaves them out.

Columbia against Howard County, its state and the nation

Estimate (90% margin of error)
	Columbia	Howard County	Maryland	United States
Paying 30% or more	44.7% (±4.0 points)	47.7% (±2.8 points)	51.5% (±0.7 points)	51.1%
Paying 35% or more	35.2% (±3.2 points)	38.7% (±2.4 points)	42.3% (±0.6 points)	41.9%
Median share of income	27.9% (±1.4 points)	29.0% (±1.2 points)	30.8% (±0.4 points)	30.6%
Median renter household income	$89,831 (±$12,685)	$86,111 (±$4,394)	$62,703 (±$866)	$52,966
Median gross rent	$2,042 (±$68)	$2,099 (±$33)	$1,705 (±$8)	$1,413

In Columbia, the share of renters paying 30% or more of income is not measurably different from Howard County (47.7%).

It is also lower than in Maryland (51.5%).

It is lower than the national figure (51.1%).

In Howard County, Columbia ranks 5 of 8 places with a published estimate, from highest to lowest share of renters paying 30% or more of income.

Statewide, it ranks 236 of 383.

Rankings use the estimates alone; where margins of error overlap, neighboring ranks may not truly differ.

Renters paying 30% or more of income in places near Columbia

Nearest places with a published estimate, compared with Columbia
Place	Distance	Renters paying 30% or more of income	Compared with this place
Columbia	—	44.7% (±4.0 points)	—
Savage	4.3 mi	43.5% (±18.7 points)	Not measurably different
Fulton	4.4 mi	47.7% (±27.9 points)	Not measurably different
Scaggsville	4.4 mi	24.8% (±28.8 points)	Not measurably different
North Laurel	5.0 mi	39.1% (±10.0 points)	Not measurably different
Ilchester	5.3 mi	49.0% (±11.4 points)	Not measurably different
Ellicott City	5.4 mi	53.5% (±6.8 points)	Higher
Jessup	5.7 mi	42.5% (±22.8 points)	Not measurably different
West Laurel	6.2 mi	40.4% (±66.5 points)	Not measurably different

Nearby places with a measurably higher figure: Ellicott City, MD (53.5%).

Distance is measured in a straight line between the Census Bureau’s internal points for each place.

Renters paying 30% or more of income across Howard County, place by place

Rank	Place	Renters paying 30% or more of income
1	Ellicott City	53.5% (±6.8 points)
2	Elkridge	51.9% (±10.3 points)
3	Ilchester	49.0% (±11.4 points)
4	Fulton	47.7% (±27.9 points)
5	Columbia	44.7% (±4.0 points)
6	Savage	43.5% (±18.7 points)
7	North Laurel	39.1% (±10.0 points)
8	Scaggsville	24.8% (±28.8 points)

Columbia is a census-designated place: an unincorporated community the Census Bureau draws for statistics, with no municipal government of its own.

Survey years: 2020–2024 (American Community Survey 5-year estimates).

Margins of error are at the 90% confidence level.

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Questions about Columbia

Are renters in Columbia rent-burdened?

44.7% of renting households in Columbia pay 30% or more of their income in gross rent, the share housing researchers usually call rent-burdened (2020–2024 American Community Survey).

What share of income do renters in Columbia spend on rent?

The median renting household in Columbia, MD spends 27.9% (±1.4 points) of its household income on gross rent.

Sources

To check these figures in the Census Bureau’s own API, request the variables below from the 2024 ACS 5-year data profile (acs/acs5/profile) and detailed tables (acs/acs5) for Columbia CDP, Maryland (place:19125, in state:24).

Each estimate (E or PE) has a margin of error beside it (M or PM).

The API needs a free key.

Request a Census API key.

DP04_0136E, DP04_0136M, DP04_0137PE, DP04_0137PM, DP04_0138PE, DP04_0138PM, DP04_0139PE, DP04_0139PM, DP04_0140PE, DP04_0140PM, DP04_0141PE, DP04_0141PM, DP04_0142PE, DP04_0142PM, B25071_001E, B25071_001M, B25119_003E, B25119_003M

This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.

Figures are published by the US Census Bureau, HUD, the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the FBI; Seayora reproduces them and does not adjust them, except where a sentence says it compares dollar figures after inflation. They describe the whole place, not any one building or street, and are not an appraisal, a rent determination, a tax bill, a safety rating or legal advice.