Ellicott City, MD vs Severna Park, MD

Severna Park is moderately more affordable than Ellicott City, with a 9.1% lower cost of living index. Ellicott City scores 150 compared to 137 for Severna Park, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Ellicott City can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Ellicott City is $2,001/month compared to $1,617/month in Severna Park — a 24% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Severna Park is more affordable at $633,600 median vs $644,300.

Median household income in Ellicott City is $157,891 compared to $168,091 in Severna Park (-6.1%). Severna Park offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Ellicott City spend roughly 15.2% of their income on rent, more than the 11.5% in Severna Park.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (56.2°F vs 56.2°F). Severna Park receives more rainfall at 45" per year compared to 45" in Ellicott City.