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ZIP Code · MD

ZIP 21043

Pop. 48,525·Howard County·28th most expensive ZIP in Maryland
Median rent (all units)
$2,421/mo
Year-over-Year
+15.4%
Month-over-Month
+5.2%
vs US Median
+$456
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
ZIP 21043 · $2,421
More expensive than 77% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,965/mo
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Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,670
1 BR
$1,850
2 BR
$2,280
3 BR
$2,890
4 BR+
$3,210
Research median
$2,280/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: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$29,052/yr
At $2,421/mo median
Location
StateMD
CountyHoward County
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 15.4% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+15.4% YoY, +5.2% MoM), not inventory.
Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 21043 (Ellicott City, MD) is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 64.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
48,525
Median income
$148,125
Median age
40.3
Renters
33.1%
Age distribution
24.8%
17.3%
31%
15.1%
Under 1824.8%
18–3417.3%
35–5431%
55–6411.8%
65+15.1%
Gender
49.5%
50.5%
Male49.5%
Female50.5%
Race & ethnicity
48.8%
12.9%
25.8%
White48.8%
Black12.9%
Hispanic6.1%
Asian25.8%
Other6.3%
Education (25+)
18.1%
64.2%
No HS diploma6%
HS diploma11.7%
Some college18.1%
Bachelor's+64.2%
Housing tenure
66.9%
33.1%
Owner66.9%
Renter33.1%

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

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 21043 in Ellicott City, MD has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,722 → $2,421
up 40.6%
Income
$138,261 → $148,125
up 7.1%
Population
47,358 → 48,525
up 2.5%
Renter share
30.8% → 33.1%
+2.3 pts
Bachelor's+
67.1% → 64.2%
-2.9 pts
Median age
38.5 → 40.3
+1.8 yrs

Compared with 2021, rent in ZIP 21043 in Ellicott City, MD has climbed by $699 per month, settling near $2,421 after starting the period at $1,722. On the earnings side, the typical household in ZIP 21043 in Ellicott City, MD now reports about $148,125, up from $138,261 in 2021. Rent outpaced income growth by roughly 33.5 percentage points, which means renters are spending a larger slice of each paycheck on housing than they did in 2021. Headcount in the area went from 47,358 to 48,525 between 2021 and 2024, a 2.5% change. About 33.1% of households rent today, against 30.8% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher slipped from 67.1% to 64.2%. For context, the 2021 to 2026 window covers an unusually volatile run for US rents nationally, and ZIP 21043 in Ellicott City, MD reflects that arc in its own way.

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Local insights

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About renting in ZIP 21043

Last updated: July 20, 2026

ZIP code 21043 covers Ellicott City, MD. The median rent here is $2,421/mo as of July 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $1,850/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $2,280/mo.

At 20% of local median household income ($148,125/yr), ZIP 21043 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 15.4% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much is rent in ZIP code 21043?

As of July 20, 2026, the median monthly rent in ZIP 21043 (Ellicott City, MD) is $2,421. This is based on aggregated data from public sources and community submissions.

How does ZIP 21043 rent compare to the US average?

ZIP 21043's median rent of $2,421/mo is $456 (23%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo.

How does ZIP 21043 compare to other ZIPs in Maryland?

ZIP 21043 is one of the pricier ZIP codes in Maryland, ranking #28 out of 140 ZIPs tracked at $2,421/mo.

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 21043?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $97,000/year (~$47/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,421/mo in ZIP 21043. The local median household income is $148,125/yr, meaning the typical household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 21043?

Rent in ZIP 21043 has increased 15.4% over the past year as of July 20, 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Is ZIP 21043 an affordable place to rent?

ZIP 21043 is considered very affordable for renters. At $2,421/mo, rent takes approximately 20% of the local median household income ($148,125/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. ZIP 21043 falls comfortably within that range.

What percentage of ZIP 21043 residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 33.1% of ZIP 21043 households are renters, while 66.9% are owner-occupied. ZIP 21043 leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does ZIP 21043 compare to the rest of Ellicott City?

ZIP 21043 is more affordable than Ellicott City overall. At $2,421/mo, it's $131 below the Ellicott City citywide median of $2,552/mo.

When was rent data for ZIP 21043 last updated?

Rent data for ZIP 21043 reflects July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.
Income Affordability
20%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $2,421/mo, rent takes ~20% of ZIP 21043's median household income ($148,125/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

ZIP 21043 20%Benchmark 30%
State income tax2–5.75%
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Schools nearby

Public schools near ZIP 21043 (Ellicott City, MD)

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