ZIP Code · MD

ZIP 21222

Part of Dundalk, MD

Pop. 59,407·Baltimore County·137th most expensive ZIP in Maryland

Median rent (all units)

$1,391/mo

Year-over-Year

+2.3%

Month-over-Month

+0.8%

vs US Median

-$541

Reported rents

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 21222 · $1,391

More affordable than 81% 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

Cheapest month to sign

February. Asking rents in ZIP 21222 usually run 0.6% below trend in February and 0.6% above it in July, about $17 a month apart at today's median. Based on 5 years of data.

Compared with the peak

Rent in ZIP 21222 is at its highest level since Zillow's records here began in July 2020.

Past year vs. the rest of Maryland

Rent in ZIP 21222 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 ($64,141) is $1,604 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 1-bedroom ($1,450); a 2-bedroom is $1,770.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 21222. The seasonal pattern compares Zillow’s seasonally adjusted and unadjusted series. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$16,692/yr

At $1,391/mo median

Location

CityDundalk

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, +0.8% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 21222 (Dundalk, MD) is majority owner-occupied, has a median income below the national average, 14.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

59,407

Median income

$64,141

Median age

36.4

Renters

35.1%

Age distribution

24.3%

23.9%

25.2%

15.4%

Under 1824.3%

18–3423.9%

35–5425.2%

55–6411.2%

65+15.4%

Gender

48.5%

51.5%

Male48.5%

Female51.5%

Race & ethnicity

63.5%

16.7%

15%

White63.5%

Black16.7%

Hispanic15%

Asian2%

Other2.8%

Education (25+)

16.3%

40.8%

28%

14.9%

No HS diploma16.3%

HS diploma40.8%

Some college28%

Bachelor's+14.9%

Housing tenure

64.9%

35.1%

Owner64.9%

Renter35.1%

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

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 21222 in Dundalk, MD has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,073 → $1,391

up 29.6%

Income

$56,940 → $64,141

up 12.6%

Population

59,622 → 59,407

down 0.4%

Renter share

38% → 35.1%

-2.9 pts

Bachelor's+

12.9% → 14.9%

+2.0 pts

Median age

37.4 → 36.4

-1.0 yrs

The median rent in ZIP 21222 in Dundalk, MD stood at $1,073 in 2021 and currently runs about $1,391, reflecting a 29.6% increase over the period. Household income in the area moved from $56,940 to $64,141 across the same window, up 12.6% versus 2021. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. Renters now make up 35.1% of households, compared with 38% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 14.9% of adults here, versus 12.9% in 2021. Reading these numbers side by side helps frame whether current listings in ZIP 21222 in Dundalk, MD look reasonable against where the market sat half a decade ago.

Community

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Local insights

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About renting in ZIP 21222

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 21222 covers Dundalk, MD. The median rent here is $1,391/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 26% of local median household income ($64,141/yr), ZIP 21222 ranks as affordable 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 21222?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $56,000/year (about $27/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,391/mo in ZIP 21222. The local median household income is $64,141/yr, so the typical household meets that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 21222?

Rent in ZIP 21222 has risen 2.3% over the past year as of September 2026. That is the highest level since Zillow's records here began in July 2020.

When is the cheapest time to rent in ZIP 21222?

Asking rents in ZIP 21222 are usually lowest in February, about 0.6% below their yearly trend, and highest in July, about 0.6% above it. At today's median that is a gap of roughly $17 a month. This pattern comes from 5 years of Zillow rent data.

How does ZIP 21222 compare to other ZIPs in Maryland?

ZIP 21222 is one of the more affordable among Maryland ZIP codes for rent, ranking #137 of 140 at $1,391/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 21222 changed +2.3%, against a typical +2.6% across the 124 Maryland ZIP codes Zillow tracks.