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ZIP Code · MD

ZIP 21212

Pop. 33,974·Baltimore City·83rd most expensive ZIP in Maryland
Median rent (all units)
$1,885/mo
Year-over-Year
+13.9%
Month-over-Month
+7.9%
vs US Median
-$80
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
ZIP 21212 · $1,885
More expensive than 54% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,965/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: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$22,620/yr
At $1,885/mo median
Location
StateMD
CountyBaltimore City
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 13.9% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+13.9% YoY, +7.9% MoM), not inventory.
Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 21212 (Baltimore, MD) is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 56.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
33,974
Median income
$96,685
Median age
38.5
Renters
31.2%
Age distribution
23.7%
20.6%
28.6%
16.1%
Under 1823.7%
18–3420.6%
35–5428.6%
55–6411%
65+16.1%
Gender
45%
55%
Male45%
Female55%
Race & ethnicity
50.4%
34.2%
White50.4%
Black34.2%
Hispanic6.9%
Asian3.9%
Other4.5%
Education (25+)
15.2%
19.9%
56.8%
No HS diploma8.1%
HS diploma15.2%
Some college19.9%
Bachelor's+56.8%
Housing tenure
68.8%
31.2%
Owner68.8%
Renter31.2%

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

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 21212 in Baltimore, MD has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,366 → $1,885
up 38.0%
Income
$88,679 → $96,685
up 9.0%
Population
34,525 → 33,974
down 1.6%
Renter share
30.7% → 31.2%
+0.5 pts
Bachelor's+
55.4% → 56.8%
+1.4 pts

Compared with 2021, rent in ZIP 21212 in Baltimore, MD has climbed by $519 per month, settling near $1,885 after starting the period at $1,366. Median household income grew from $88,679 to $96,685 between 2021 and 2024, a 9.0% shift. Rent outpaced income growth by roughly 29.0 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 34,525 to 33,974 between 2021 and 2024, a 1.6% change. Taken together, the five-year picture in ZIP 21212 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

Tips for renters in ZIP 21212

About renting in ZIP 21212

Last updated: July 20, 2026

ZIP code 21212 covers Baltimore, MD. The median rent here is $1,885/mo as of July 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $1,450/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $1,770/mo.

At 23% of local median household income ($96,685/yr), ZIP 21212 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 13.9% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much is rent in ZIP code 21212?

As of July 20, 2026, the median monthly rent in ZIP 21212 (Baltimore, MD) is $1,885. This is based on aggregated data from public sources and community submissions.

How does ZIP 21212 rent compare to the US average?

ZIP 21212's median rent of $1,885/mo is $80 (4%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo.

How does ZIP 21212 compare to other ZIPs in Maryland?

ZIP 21212 falls in the middle range for Maryland, ranking #83 out of 140 ZIPs at $1,885/mo.

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 21212?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $75,000/year (~$36/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,885/mo in ZIP 21212. The local median household income is $96,685/yr, meaning the typical household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 21212?

Rent in ZIP 21212 has increased 13.9% over the past year as of July 20, 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Is ZIP 21212 an affordable place to rent?

ZIP 21212 is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,885/mo, rent takes approximately 23% of the local median household income ($96,685/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. ZIP 21212 falls comfortably within that range.

What percentage of ZIP 21212 residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 31.2% of ZIP 21212 households are renters, while 68.8% are owner-occupied. ZIP 21212 leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does ZIP 21212 compare to the rest of Baltimore?

ZIP 21212 is pricier than Baltimore as a whole. At $1,885/mo, it's $86 above the Baltimore citywide median of $1,799/mo.

When was rent data for ZIP 21212 last updated?

Rent data for ZIP 21212 reflects July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.
Income Affordability
23%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,885/mo, rent takes ~23% of ZIP 21212's median household income ($96,685/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

ZIP 21212 23%Benchmark 30%
State income tax2–5.75%
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Schools nearby

Public schools near ZIP 21212 (Baltimore, MD)

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