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ZIP Code · MD

ZIP 21218

Pop. 44,014·Baltimore City·136th most expensive ZIP in Maryland
Median rent (all units)
$1,391/mo
Year-over-Year
-10.9%
Month-over-Month
-1.4%
vs US Median
-$574
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
ZIP 21218 · $1,391
More affordable than 81% 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
$16,692/yr
At $1,391/mo median
Location
StateMD
CountyBaltimore City
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 10.9% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (-10.9% YoY, -1.4% MoM), not inventory.
Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 21218 (Baltimore, MD) is roughly split between renters and owners, skews toward younger working-age adults, has a median income below the national average, 44.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
44,014
Median income
$62,488
Median age
35
Renters
51.9%
Age distribution
16.3%
33.8%
22.2%
16.1%
Under 1816.3%
18–3433.8%
35–5422.2%
55–6411.6%
65+16.1%
Gender
48.3%
51.7%
Male48.3%
Female51.7%
Race & ethnicity
27.7%
58.8%
White27.7%
Black58.8%
Hispanic5.5%
Asian4.9%
Other3.1%
Education (25+)
26.2%
18.4%
44.7%
No HS diploma10.7%
HS diploma26.2%
Some college18.4%
Bachelor's+44.7%
Housing tenure
48.1%
51.9%
Owner48.1%
Renter51.9%

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

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 21218 in Baltimore, MD has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,232 → $1,391
up 12.9%
Income
$56,250 → $62,488
up 11.1%
Population
47,081 → 44,014
down 6.5%
Renter share
51.3% → 51.9%
+0.6 pts
Bachelor's+
43.3% → 44.7%
+1.4 pts
Median age
33.3 → 35
+1.7 yrs

Compared with 2021, rent in ZIP 21218 in Baltimore, MD has increased by $159 per month, settling near $1,391 after starting the period at $1,232. Median household income grew from $56,250 to $62,488 between 2021 and 2024, a 11.1% shift. Headcount in the area went from 47,081 to 44,014 between 2021 and 2024, a 6.5% change. Taken together, the five-year picture in ZIP 21218 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 21218

About renting in ZIP 21218

Last updated: July 20, 2026

ZIP code 21218 covers Baltimore, MD. The median rent here is $1,391/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 27% of local median household income ($62,488/yr), ZIP 21218 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 10.9% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much is rent in ZIP code 21218?

As of July 20, 2026, the median monthly rent in ZIP 21218 (Baltimore, MD) is $1,391. This is based on aggregated data from public sources and community submissions.

How does ZIP 21218 rent compare to the US average?

ZIP 21218's median rent of $1,391/mo is $574 (29%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo.

How does ZIP 21218 compare to other ZIPs in Maryland?

ZIP 21218 is among the more affordable ZIP codes in Maryland, ranking #136 out of 140 ZIPs at $1,391/mo.

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 21218?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $56,000/year (~$27/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,391/mo in ZIP 21218. The local median household income is $62,488/yr, meaning the typical household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 21218?

Rent in ZIP 21218 has decreased 10.9% over the past year as of July 20, 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

Is ZIP 21218 an affordable place to rent?

ZIP 21218 is considered affordable for renters. At $1,391/mo, rent takes approximately 27% of the local median household income ($62,488/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. ZIP 21218 falls comfortably within that range.

What percentage of ZIP 21218 residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 51.9% of ZIP 21218 households are renters, while 48.1% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, ZIP 21218 has a strong rental market.

How does ZIP 21218 compare to the rest of Baltimore?

ZIP 21218 is more affordable than Baltimore overall. At $1,391/mo, it's $408 below the Baltimore citywide median of $1,799/mo.

When was rent data for ZIP 21218 last updated?

Rent data for ZIP 21218 reflects July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.
Income Affordability
27%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,391/mo, rent takes ~27% of ZIP 21218's median household income ($62,488/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

ZIP 21218 27%Benchmark 30%
State income tax2–5.75%
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Schools nearby

Public schools near ZIP 21218 (Baltimore, MD)

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