ZIP Code · MD

ZIP 21042

Part of Ellicott City, MD

Pop. 43,327·Howard County·8th most expensive ZIP in Maryland

Median rent (all units)

$2,929/mo

Year-over-Year

-0.8%

Month-over-Month

-0.9%

vs US Median

+$997

Reported rents

Falling (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 21042 · $2,929

More expensive than 89% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

Rent check

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Compare your rent to the local median.

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,820

1 BR

$2,020

2 BR

$2,480

3 BR

$3,150

4 BR+

$3,490

Research median

$2,480/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

Past year vs. the rest of Maryland

Rent in ZIP 21042 changed -0.8% over the year to September 2026. Across the 124 Maryland ZIP codes Zillow tracks, the typical change was +2.6%.

Recent direction

Rent has fallen 6 months in a row, and rose in 5 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($190,061) is $4,752 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 4-bedroom ($3,490).

Cheaper nearby

ZIP 21044, 5 miles away, rents for 20% less ($2,332/mo), about $7,200 a year in savings.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 21042. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$35,148/yr

At $2,929/mo median

Location

CityEllicott City

StateMD

CountyHoward County

Rent Market Meter

Renter's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are softening (down 0.8% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage.

Based on rent-price momentum (-0.8% YoY, -0.9% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 21042 (Ellicott City, MD) is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, has a median income above the national average, 72.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

43,327

Median income

$190,061

Median age

45.1

Renters

15.3%

Age distribution

25.2%

12.8%

26.9%

15.2%

19.9%

Under 1825.2%

18–3412.8%

35–5426.9%

55–6415.2%

65+19.9%

Gender

49.3%

50.7%

Male49.3%

Female50.7%

Race & ethnicity

56.3%

29%

White56.3%

Black6.2%

Hispanic3.7%

Asian29%

Other4.9%

Education (25+)

14.5%

72.9%

No HS diploma3%

HS diploma9.6%

Some college14.5%

Bachelor's+72.9%

Housing tenure

84.7%

15.3%

Owner84.7%

Renter15.3%

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

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 21042 in Ellicott City, MD has changed in 5 years

Income

$159,032 → $190,061

up 19.5%

Population

42,952 → 43,327

up 0.9%

Renter share

14.9% → 15.3%

+0.4 pts

Bachelor's+

71.7% → 72.9%

+1.2 pts

Median age

44 → 45.1

+1.1 yrs

Household income in the area moved from $159,032 to $190,061 across the same window, up 19.5% versus 2021.

Community

Discussions about ZIP 21042

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Local insights

Tips for renters in ZIP 21042

About renting in ZIP 21042

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 21042 covers Ellicott City, MD. The median rent here is $2,929/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $2,020/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $2,480/mo.

At 18% of local median household income ($190,061/yr), ZIP 21042 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 0.8% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 21042?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $117,000/year (about $56/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,929/mo in ZIP 21042. The local median household income is $190,061/yr, so the typical household meets that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 21042?

Rent in ZIP 21042 has fallen 0.8% over the past year.

How does ZIP 21042 compare to other ZIPs in Maryland?

ZIP 21042 is one of the pricier among Maryland ZIP codes for rent, ranking #8 of 140 at $2,929/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 21042 changed -0.8%, against a typical +2.6% across the 124 Maryland ZIP codes Zillow tracks.