ZIP Code · MD

ZIP 21205

Part of Baltimore, MD

Pop. 13,013·Baltimore City·87th most expensive ZIP in Maryland

Median rent (all units)

$1,857/mo

Year-over-Year

+8.0%

Month-over-Month

+2.4%

vs US Median

-$75

Reported rents

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 21205 · $1,857

More expensive than 53% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

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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

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Last updated: October 17, 2026

From the history

What the numbers show

Compared with the peak

Rent in ZIP 21205 is at its highest level since Zillow's records here began in December 2021.

Past year vs. the rest of Maryland

Rent in ZIP 21205 changed +8.0% 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 2 months in a row, and rose in 8 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($43,176) is $1,079 a month. That is less than HUD's Fair Market Rent for a studio ($1,270).

Rank in Baltimore

16th cheapest of 20 ZIP codes in Baltimore.

Cheaper nearby

ZIP 21218, 3 miles away, rents for 22% less ($1,454/mo), about $4,800 a year in savings.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 21205. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$22,284/yr

At $1,857/mo median

Location

CityBaltimore

StateMD

CountyBaltimore City

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 8.0% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+8.0% YoY, +2.4% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 21205 (Baltimore, MD) is majority renter-occupied, has a median income below the national average, 16.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

13,013

Median income

$43,176

Median age

35.9

Renters

63.6%

Age distribution

24.3%

24.6%

23.6%

12.4%

15%

Under 1824.3%

18–3424.6%

35–5423.6%

55–6412.4%

65+15%

Gender

46%

54%

Male46%

Female54%

Race & ethnicity

14.5%

56.4%

19.3%

White14.5%

Black56.4%

Hispanic19.3%

Asian3.1%

Other6.7%

Education (25+)

22.4%

38.2%

22.9%

16.6%

No HS diploma22.4%

HS diploma38.2%

Some college22.9%

Bachelor's+16.6%

Housing tenure

36.4%

63.6%

Owner36.4%

Renter63.6%

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

2022 vs 2026

How ZIP 21205 in Baltimore, MD has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,319 → $1,857

up 40.8%

Income

$33,493 → $43,176

up 28.9%

Population

15,319 → 13,013

down 15.1%

Renter share

65.3% → 63.6%

-1.7 pts

Bachelor's+

14.2% → 16.6%

+2.4 pts

Median age

31.4 → 35.9

+4.5 yrs

Since 2022, the typical rent in ZIP 21205 in Baltimore, MD has increased from $1,319 to $1,857, a 40.8% change over five years. Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $33,493 in 2021 to $43,176 more recently. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. The population has contracted by 15.1% since 2021, moving from about 15,319 residents to roughly 13,013. Renters now make up 63.6% of households, compared with 65.3% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 16.6% of adults here, versus 14.2% in 2021. These shifts give renters and would-be renters a longer baseline for sizing up today's listings against the ZIP 21205 in Baltimore, MD market of 2022.

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About renting in ZIP 21205

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 21205 covers Baltimore, MD. The median rent here is $1,857/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 52% of local median household income ($43,176/yr), ZIP 21205 ranks as expensive compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 8.0% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 21205?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $74,000/year (about $36/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,857/mo in ZIP 21205. The local median household income is $43,176/yr, so the typical household falls short of that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 21205?

Rent in ZIP 21205 has risen 8.0% over the past year as of September 2026. That is the highest level since Zillow's records here began in December 2021.

How does ZIP 21205 compare to other ZIPs in Maryland?

ZIP 21205 is in the middle among Maryland ZIP codes for rent, ranking #87 of 140 at $1,857/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 21205 changed +8.0%, against a typical +2.6% across the 124 Maryland ZIP codes Zillow tracks.