RentDataNowRentDataNow
ZIP Code · MD

ZIP 21286

Part of Towson, MD
Pop. 21,853·Baltimore County·94th most expensive ZIP in Maryland
Median rent (all units)
$1,772/mo
Year-over-Year
+11.7%
Month-over-Month
+1.0%
vs US Median
-$193
Rising (Monthly)
Be the first to discuss 21286 rents ↓
Most AffordableMost Expensive
ZIP 21286 · $1,772
More affordable than 54% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,965/mo
Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,390
1 BR
$1,550
2 BR
$1,900
3 BR
$2,410
4 BR+
$2,670
Research median
$1,900/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$21,264/yr
At $1,772/mo median
Location
CityTowson
StateMD
CountyBaltimore County
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 11.7% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+11.7% YoY, +1.0% MoM), not inventory.
Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 21286 (Towson, MD) is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income above the national average, 58.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
21,853
Median income
$93,808
Median age
39.6
Renters
40.1%
Age distribution
18.3%
26.2%
21.1%
12.2%
22.2%
Under 1818.3%
18–3426.2%
35–5421.1%
55–6412.2%
65+22.2%
Gender
47.7%
52.3%
Male47.7%
Female52.3%
Race & ethnicity
67.6%
17.6%
White67.6%
Black17.6%
Hispanic7.9%
Asian4.2%
Other2.7%
Education (25+)
12.1%
24.4%
58.8%
No HS diploma4.7%
HS diploma12.1%
Some college24.4%
Bachelor's+58.8%
Housing tenure
59.9%
40.1%
Owner59.9%
Renter40.1%

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

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 21286 in Towson, MD has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,385 → $1,772
up 27.9%
Income
$89,417 → $93,808
up 4.9%
Population
21,119 → 21,853
up 3.5%
Renter share
37.2% → 40.1%
+2.9 pts
Bachelor's+
60.3% → 58.8%
-1.5 pts
Median age
41.1 → 39.6
-1.5 yrs

Five years ago, renters in ZIP 21286 in Towson, MD paid around $1,385 a month. That figure now sits near $1,772, up 27.9% from the 2021 baseline. Median household income climbed from $89,417 to $93,808 between 2021 and 2024, a 4.9% shift. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. Census counts show ZIP 21286 in Towson, MD adding about 734 residents over the five-year window, up 3.5% on net. The renter share has risen from 37.2% to 40.1%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. Taken together, the five-year picture in ZIP 21286 in Towson, 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.

Community

Discussions about ZIP 21286

No discussions yet. Start the conversation.

Local insights

Tips for renters in ZIP 21286

About renting in ZIP 21286

Last updated: July 20, 2026

ZIP code 21286 covers Towson, MD. The median rent here is $1,772/mo as of July 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $1,550/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $1,900/mo.

At 23% of local median household income ($93,808/yr), ZIP 21286 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 11.7% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much is rent in ZIP code 21286?

As of July 20, 2026, the median monthly rent in ZIP 21286 (Towson, MD) is $1,772. This is based on aggregated data from public sources and community submissions.

How does ZIP 21286 rent compare to the US average?

ZIP 21286's median rent of $1,772/mo is $193 (10%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo.

How does ZIP 21286 compare to other ZIPs in Maryland?

ZIP 21286 is among the more affordable ZIP codes in Maryland, ranking #94 out of 140 ZIPs at $1,772/mo.

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 21286?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $71,000/year (~$34/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,772/mo in ZIP 21286. The local median household income is $93,808/yr, meaning the typical household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 21286?

Rent in ZIP 21286 has increased 11.7% over the past year as of July 20, 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Is ZIP 21286 an affordable place to rent?

ZIP 21286 is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,772/mo, rent takes approximately 23% of the local median household income ($93,808/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. ZIP 21286 falls comfortably within that range.

What percentage of ZIP 21286 residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 40.1% of ZIP 21286 households are renters, while 59.9% are owner-occupied. ZIP 21286 leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does ZIP 21286 compare to the rest of Towson?

ZIP 21286 is more affordable than Towson overall. At $1,772/mo, it's $160 below the Towson citywide median of $1,932/mo.

When was rent data for ZIP 21286 last updated?

Rent data for ZIP 21286 reflects July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.
Income Affordability
23%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,772/mo, rent takes ~23% of ZIP 21286's median household income ($93,808/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

ZIP 21286 23%Benchmark 30%
State income tax2–5.75%
Compare

How does this area stack up?

Pick another city or ZIP to compare.

Schools nearby

Public schools near ZIP 21286 (Towson, MD)

Recent submissions

Be the first to submit your rent for this ZIP.

Recent discussions

No discussions yet.