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ZIP Code · MD

ZIP 21045

Part of Columbia, MD
Pop. 40,034·Howard County·39th most expensive ZIP in Maryland
Median rent (all units)
$2,308/mo
Year-over-Year
+12.3%
Month-over-Month
-3.6%
vs US Median
+$346
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
ZIP 21045 · $2,308
More expensive than 73% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,962/mo
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Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,500
1 BR
$1,670
2 BR
$2,050
3 BR
$2,600
4 BR+
$2,880
Research median
$2,050/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: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$27,696/yr
At $2,308/mo median
Location
StateMD
CountyHoward County
Rent Market Meter
Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are climbing (12.3% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.
Based on rent-price momentum (+12.3% YoY, -3.6% MoM), not inventory.
Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 21045 (Columbia, MD) is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 56.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
40,034
Median income
$118,563
Median age
39.6
Renters
31.7%
Age distribution
22.7%
20%
27.1%
18.3%
Under 1822.7%
18–3420%
35–5427.1%
55–6411.8%
65+18.3%
Gender
48%
52%
Male48%
Female52%
Race & ethnicity
40.3%
31.6%
12.8%
White40.3%
Black31.6%
Hispanic12.8%
Asian9.5%
Other5.8%
Education (25+)
15%
22.3%
56.6%
No HS diploma6.1%
HS diploma15%
Some college22.3%
Bachelor's+56.6%
Housing tenure
68.3%
31.7%
Owner68.3%
Renter31.7%

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

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 21045 in Columbia, MD has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,553 → $2,308
up 48.6%
Income
$110,111 → $118,563
up 7.7%
Population
40,522 → 40,034
down 1.2%
Renter share
29.2% → 31.7%
+2.5 pts
Bachelor's+
57.8% → 56.6%
-1.2 pts
Median age
38.1 → 39.6
+1.5 yrs

Rent in ZIP 21045 in Columbia, MD has increased 48.6% since 2021, going from about $1,553 per month to roughly $2,308 today. Census figures show median household income at $118,563 today, compared with $110,111 five years earlier. Rent outpaced income growth by roughly 40.9 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 40,522 to 40,034 between 2021 and 2024, a 1.2% change. About 31.7% of households rent today, against 29.2% in 2021. The combined trend lines point to a market that has changed measurably from where it stood in early 2021.

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Local insights

Tips for renters in ZIP 21045

About renting in ZIP 21045

Last updated: August 17, 2026

ZIP code 21045 covers Columbia, MD. The median rent here is $2,308/mo as of August 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $1,670/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $2,050/mo.

At 23% of local median household income ($118,563/yr), ZIP 21045 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 12.3% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much is rent in ZIP code 21045?

As of August 17, 2026, the median monthly rent in ZIP 21045 (Columbia, MD) is $2,308. This is based on aggregated data from public sources and community submissions.

How does ZIP 21045 rent compare to the US average?

ZIP 21045's median rent of $2,308/mo is $346 (18%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo.

How does ZIP 21045 compare to other ZIPs in Maryland?

ZIP 21045 is one of the pricier ZIP codes in Maryland, ranking #39 out of 139 ZIPs tracked at $2,308/mo.

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 21045?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $92,000/year (~$44/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,308/mo in ZIP 21045. The local median household income is $118,563/yr, meaning the typical household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 21045?

Rent in ZIP 21045 has increased 12.3% over the past year as of August 17, 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Is ZIP 21045 an affordable place to rent?

ZIP 21045 is considered very affordable for renters. At $2,308/mo, rent takes approximately 23% of the local median household income ($118,563/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. ZIP 21045 falls comfortably within that range.

What percentage of ZIP 21045 residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 31.7% of ZIP 21045 households are renters, while 68.3% are owner-occupied. ZIP 21045 leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does ZIP 21045 compare to the rest of Columbia?

ZIP 21045 is pricier than Columbia as a whole. At $2,308/mo, it's $32 above the Columbia citywide median of $2,276/mo.

When was rent data for ZIP 21045 last updated?

Rent data for ZIP 21045 reflects August 17, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.
Income Affordability
23%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $2,308/mo, rent takes ~23% of ZIP 21045's median household income ($118,563/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

ZIP 21045 23%Benchmark 30%
State income tax2–5.75%
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Public schools near ZIP 21045 (Columbia, MD)

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