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ZIP Code · MD

ZIP 21201

Pop. 18,307·Baltimore City·123rd most expensive ZIP in Maryland
Median rent (all units)
$1,571/mo
Year-over-Year
+5.1%
Month-over-Month
-4.3%
vs US Median
-$394
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
ZIP 21201 · $1,571
More affordable than 69% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,965/mo
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Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,430
1 BR
$1,590
2 BR
$1,950
3 BR
$2,480
4 BR+
$2,740
Research median
$1,950/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
$18,852/yr
At $1,571/mo median
Location
StateMD
CountyBaltimore City
Rent Market Meter
Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are softening (up only 5.1% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage.
Based on rent-price momentum (+5.1% YoY, -4.3% MoM), not inventory.
Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 21201 (Baltimore, MD) is majority renter-occupied, skews toward younger working-age adults, has a median income below the national average, 45.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
18,307
Median income
$45,640
Median age
33.6
Renters
89%
Age distribution
13.5%
39.4%
22.5%
12.9%
Under 1813.5%
18–3439.4%
35–5422.5%
55–6412.9%
65+11.7%
Gender
47.1%
52.9%
Male47.1%
Female52.9%
Race & ethnicity
24%
60.2%
White24%
Black60.2%
Hispanic5.9%
Asian5.7%
Other4.2%
Education (25+)
21.7%
24.5%
45.8%
No HS diploma8.1%
HS diploma21.7%
Some college24.5%
Bachelor's+45.8%
Housing tenure
89%
Owner11%
Renter89%

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

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 21201 in Baltimore, MD has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,367 → $1,571
up 14.9%
Income
$40,932 → $45,640
up 11.5%
Population
17,773 → 18,307
up 3.0%
Renter share
88.3% → 89%
+0.7 pts
Bachelor's+
48.2% → 45.8%
-2.4 pts
Median age
31.7 → 33.6
+1.9 yrs

Compared with 2021, rent in ZIP 21201 in Baltimore, MD has climbed by $204 per month, settling near $1,571 after starting the period at $1,367. Median household income grew from $40,932 to $45,640 between 2021 and 2024, a 11.5% shift. Rent outpaced income growth by roughly 3.4 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 17,773 to 18,307 between 2021 and 2024, a 3.0% change. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher slipped from 48.2% to 45.8%. Taken together, the five-year picture in ZIP 21201 in Baltimore, MD reflects how housing costs and the people paying them have evolved through a stretch that included a pandemic, a hot rental market, and a recent cooling phase.

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Local insights

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About renting in ZIP 21201

Last updated: July 20, 2026

ZIP code 21201 covers Baltimore, MD. The median rent here is $1,571/mo as of July 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $1,590/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $1,950/mo.

At 41% of local median household income ($45,640/yr), ZIP 21201 ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 5.1% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much is rent in ZIP code 21201?

As of July 20, 2026, the median monthly rent in ZIP 21201 (Baltimore, MD) is $1,571. This is based on aggregated data from public sources and community submissions.

How does ZIP 21201 rent compare to the US average?

ZIP 21201's median rent of $1,571/mo is $394 (20%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo.

How does ZIP 21201 compare to other ZIPs in Maryland?

ZIP 21201 is among the more affordable ZIP codes in Maryland, ranking #123 out of 140 ZIPs at $1,571/mo.

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 21201?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $63,000/year (~$30/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,571/mo in ZIP 21201. The local median household income is $45,640/yr, meaning the typical household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 21201?

Rent in ZIP 21201 has increased 5.1% over the past year as of July 20, 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Is ZIP 21201 an affordable place to rent?

ZIP 21201 is considered stretched for renters. At $1,571/mo, rent takes approximately 41% of the local median household income ($45,640/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. ZIP 21201 significantly exceeds that threshold, making it challenging for many renters.

What percentage of ZIP 21201 residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 89% of ZIP 21201 households are renters, while 11% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, ZIP 21201 has a strong rental market.

How does ZIP 21201 compare to the rest of Baltimore?

ZIP 21201 is more affordable than Baltimore overall. At $1,571/mo, it's $228 below the Baltimore citywide median of $1,799/mo.

When was rent data for ZIP 21201 last updated?

Rent data for ZIP 21201 reflects July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.
Income Affordability
41%
STRETCHED

At $1,571/mo, rent takes ~41% of ZIP 21201's median household income ($45,640/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

ZIP 21201 41%Benchmark 30%
State income tax2–5.75%
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Schools nearby

Public schools near ZIP 21201 (Baltimore, MD)

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