ZIP Code · MD

ZIP 21157

Part of Westminster, MD

Pop. 38,984·Carroll County·117th most expensive ZIP in Maryland

Median rent (all units)

$1,619/mo

Year-over-Year

+2.9%

Month-over-Month

+0.4%

vs US Median

-$313

Reported rents

Stable (Monthly)

Be the first to discuss 21157 rents ↓

Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 21157 · $1,619

More affordable than 64% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,270

1 BR

$1,450

2 BR

$1,770

3 BR

$2,280

4 BR+

$2,550

Research median

$1,770/mo

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

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: October 17, 2026

From the history

What the numbers show

Compared with the peak

Rent in ZIP 21157 is at its highest level since Zillow's records here began in March 2023.

Past year vs. the rest of Maryland

Rent in ZIP 21157 changed +2.9% over the year to September 2026. Across the 124 Maryland ZIP codes Zillow tracks, the typical change was +2.6%.

Recent direction

Rent has risen 3 months in a row, and rose in 9 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($104,966) is $2,624 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 4-bedroom ($2,550).

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 21157. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$19,428/yr

At $1,619/mo median

Location

CityWestminster

StateMD

CountyCarroll County

Rent Market Meter

Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are climbing (2.9% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.

Based on rent-price momentum (+2.9% YoY, +0.4% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 21157 (Westminster, MD) is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 37.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

38,984

Median income

$104,966

Median age

43.2

Renters

23.2%

Age distribution

19.2%

21.1%

26.6%

13.5%

19.5%

Under 1819.2%

18–3421.1%

35–5426.6%

55–6413.5%

65+19.5%

Gender

48.1%

51.9%

Male48.1%

Female51.9%

Race & ethnicity

85.5%

White85.5%

Black3.9%

Hispanic6.5%

Asian1.3%

Other2.7%

Education (25+)

29.1%

26.8%

37.9%

No HS diploma6.2%

HS diploma29.1%

Some college26.8%

Bachelor's+37.9%

Housing tenure

76.8%

23.2%

Owner76.8%

Renter23.2%

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

2023 vs 2026

How ZIP 21157 in Westminster, MD has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,400 → $1,619

up 15.6%

Income

$92,846 → $104,966

up 13.1%

Population

39,978 → 38,984

down 2.5%

Renter share

24.9% → 23.2%

-1.7 pts

Bachelor's+

36.5% → 37.9%

+1.4 pts

Median age

41 → 43.2

+2.2 yrs

Compared with 2023, rent in ZIP 21157 in Westminster, MD has increased by $219 per month, settling near $1,619 after starting the period at $1,400. Household income in the area moved from $92,846 to $104,966 across the same window, up 13.1% versus 2021. Headcount in the area went from 39,978 to 38,984 between 2021 and 2024, a 2.5% change. About 23.2% of households rent today, against 24.9% in 2021. Reading these numbers side by side helps frame whether current listings in ZIP 21157 in Westminster, MD look reasonable against where the market sat half a decade ago.

Community

Discussions about ZIP 21157

No discussions yet. Start the conversation.

Local insights

Tips for renters in ZIP 21157

About renting in ZIP 21157

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 21157 covers Westminster, MD. The median rent here is $1,619/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $1,450/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $1,770/mo.

At 19% of local median household income ($104,966/yr), ZIP 21157 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 2.9% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 21157?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $65,000/year (about $31/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,619/mo in ZIP 21157. The local median household income is $104,966/yr, so the typical household meets that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 21157?

Rent in ZIP 21157 has risen 2.9% over the past year as of September 2026. That is the highest level since Zillow's records here began in March 2023.

How does ZIP 21157 compare to other ZIPs in Maryland?

ZIP 21157 is one of the more affordable among Maryland ZIP codes for rent, ranking #117 of 140 at $1,619/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 21157 changed +2.9%, against a typical +2.6% across the 124 Maryland ZIP codes Zillow tracks.