ZIP Code · MD

ZIP 20601

Part of Waldorf, MD

Pop. 26,945·Charles County·35th most expensive ZIP in Maryland

Median rent (all units)

$2,356/mo

Year-over-Year

+6.0%

Month-over-Month

+1.2%

vs US Median

+$424

Reported rents

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 20601 · $2,356

More expensive than 76% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

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Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$2,030

1 BR

$2,090

2 BR

$2,330

3 BR

$2,940

4 BR+

$3,460

Research median

$2,330/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: October 17, 2026

From the history

What the numbers show

Compared with the peak

Rent in ZIP 20601 is 0% below its high of $2,357 in April 2026, at $2,356 as of September 2026.

Past year vs. the rest of Maryland

Rent in ZIP 20601 changed +6.0% over the year to September 2026. Across the 124 Maryland ZIP codes Zillow tracks, the typical change was +2.6%.

Recent direction

Rent rose in 7 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($117,480) is $2,937 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($2,330); a 3-bedroom is $2,940.

Rank in Waldorf

2nd cheapest of 3 ZIP codes in Waldorf.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 20601. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$28,272/yr

At $2,356/mo median

Location

CityWaldorf

StateMD

CountyCharles County

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 6.0% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+6.0% YoY, +1.2% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 20601 (Waldorf, MD) is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 33% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

26,945

Median income

$117,480

Median age

37.4

Renters

20.4%

Age distribution

24%

23.2%

25.7%

13.8%

13.3%

Under 1824%

18–3423.2%

35–5425.7%

55–6413.8%

65+13.3%

Gender

46.4%

53.6%

Male46.4%

Female53.6%

Race & ethnicity

23.4%

57.9%

White23.4%

Black57.9%

Hispanic6.8%

Asian4.4%

Other7.5%

Education (25+)

28.8%

33.4%

33%

No HS diploma4.8%

HS diploma28.8%

Some college33.4%

Bachelor's+33%

Housing tenure

79.6%

20.4%

Owner79.6%

Renter20.4%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2022 vs 2026

How ZIP 20601 in Waldorf, MD has changed in 5 years

Rent

$2,021 → $2,356

up 16.6%

Income

$105,899 → $117,480

up 10.9%

Population

26,740 → 26,945

up 0.8%

Renter share

22.8% → 20.4%

-2.4 pts

Bachelor's+

32.6% → 33%

+0.4 pts

Median age

36.8 → 37.4

+0.6 yrs

Across the past five years, the going rent in ZIP 20601 in Waldorf, MD has shifted from $2,021 to $2,356, up 16.6% since 2022. On the earnings side, the typical household in ZIP 20601 in Waldorf, MD now reports about $117,480, up from $105,899 in 2021. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. The renter share has eased from 22.8% to 20.4%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. For context, the 2022 to 2026 window covers an unusually volatile run for US rents nationally, and ZIP 20601 in Waldorf, MD reflects that arc in its own way.

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About renting in ZIP 20601

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 20601 covers Waldorf, MD. The median rent here is $2,356/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $2,090/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $2,330/mo.

At 24% of local median household income ($117,480/yr), ZIP 20601 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 6.0% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 20601?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $94,000/year (about $45/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,356/mo in ZIP 20601. The local median household income is $117,480/yr, so the typical household meets that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 20601?

Rent in ZIP 20601 has risen 6.0% over the past year as of September 2026. It sits 0% below its high of $2,357 in April 2026.

How does ZIP 20601 compare to other ZIPs in Maryland?

ZIP 20601 is one of the pricier among Maryland ZIP codes for rent, ranking #35 of 140 at $2,356/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 20601 changed +6.0%, against a typical +2.6% across the 124 Maryland ZIP codes Zillow tracks.