ZIP Code · MD

ZIP 21221

Part of Essex, MD

Pop. 43,487·Baltimore County·111th most expensive ZIP in Maryland

Median rent (all units)

$1,685/mo

Year-over-Year

+2.3%

Month-over-Month

+0.7%

vs US Median

-$247

Reported rents

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 21221 · $1,685

More affordable than 59% 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 21221 is at its highest level since Zillow's records here began in June 2022.

Past year vs. the rest of Maryland

Rent in ZIP 21221 changed +2.3% over the year to September 2026. Across the 124 Maryland ZIP codes Zillow tracks, the typical change was +2.6%.

Recent direction

Rent rose in 6 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($67,340) is $1,684 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 1-bedroom ($1,450); a 2-bedroom is $1,770.

Cheaper nearby

ZIP 21222, 4 miles away, rents for 17% less ($1,391/mo), about $3,500 a year in savings.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 21221. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$20,220/yr

At $1,685/mo median

Location

CityEssex

StateMD

CountyBaltimore County

Rent Market Meter

Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are climbing (2.3% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.

Based on rent-price momentum (+2.3% YoY, +0.7% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 21221 (Essex, MD) is majority owner-occupied, 21% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

43,487

Median income

$67,340

Median age

42.4

Renters

37.5%

Age distribution

21.6%

19.5%

26.9%

13.4%

18.6%

Under 1821.6%

18–3419.5%

35–5426.9%

55–6413.4%

65+18.6%

Gender

47%

53%

Male47%

Female53%

Race & ethnicity

57.3%

28.3%

White57.3%

Black28.3%

Hispanic5.9%

Asian2%

Other6.5%

Education (25+)

13.3%

39.1%

26.7%

21%

No HS diploma13.3%

HS diploma39.1%

Some college26.7%

Bachelor's+21%

Housing tenure

62.5%

37.5%

Owner62.5%

Renter37.5%

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

2023 vs 2026

How ZIP 21221 in Essex, MD has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,520 → $1,685

up 10.9%

Income

$60,477 → $67,340

up 11.3%

Population

43,576 → 43,487

down 0.2%

Renter share

39.7% → 37.5%

-2.2 pts

Bachelor's+

17% → 21%

+4.0 pts

Median age

39.9 → 42.4

+2.5 yrs

The median rent in ZIP 21221 in Essex, MD stood at $1,520 in 2023 and currently runs about $1,685, reflecting a 10.9% increase over the period. Household income in the area moved from $60,477 to $67,340 across the same window, up 11.3% versus 2021. Renters now make up 37.5% of households, compared with 39.7% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 21% of adults here, versus 17% in 2021. Reading these numbers side by side helps frame whether current listings in ZIP 21221 in Essex, MD look reasonable against where the market sat half a decade ago.

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Local insights

Tips for renters in ZIP 21221

About renting in ZIP 21221

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 21221 covers Essex, MD. The median rent here is $1,685/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 30% of local median household income ($67,340/yr), ZIP 21221 ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 2.3% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 21221?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $67,000/year (about $32/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,685/mo in ZIP 21221. The local median household income is $67,340/yr, so the typical household meets that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 21221?

Rent in ZIP 21221 has risen 2.3% over the past year as of September 2026. That is the highest level since Zillow's records here began in June 2022.

How does ZIP 21221 compare to other ZIPs in Maryland?

ZIP 21221 is one of the more affordable among Maryland ZIP codes for rent, ranking #111 of 140 at $1,685/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 21221 changed +2.3%, against a typical +2.6% across the 124 Maryland ZIP codes Zillow tracks.