ZIP Code · MD

ZIP 21701

Part of Frederick, MD

Pop. 43,048·Frederick County·49th most expensive ZIP in Maryland

Median rent (all units)

$2,158/mo

Year-over-Year

+3.6%

Month-over-Month

+0.7%

vs US Median

+$226

Reported rents

Rising (Monthly)

Be the first to discuss 21701 rents ↓

Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 21701 · $2,158

More expensive than 69% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,620

1 BR

$1,670

2 BR

$1,860

3 BR

$2,350

4 BR+

$2,760

Research median

$1,860/mo

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

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: October 17, 2026

From the history

What the numbers show

Compared with the peak

Rent in ZIP 21701 is at its highest level since Zillow's records here began in February 2015.

Past year vs. the rest of Maryland

Rent in ZIP 21701 changed +3.7% over the year to September 2026. Across the 124 Maryland ZIP codes Zillow tracks, the typical change was +2.6%.

Rent vs. income since 2019

From 2019 to 2024, rent in ZIP 21701 rose 39.7% while median household income rose 27.5% ($83,565 to $106,577). Rent outpaced income.

Since before the pandemic

Rent in ZIP 21701 is 44.5% higher than in March 2020. Across the US, rent is up 37.3% over the same stretch.

Recent direction

Rent has risen 6 months in a row, and rose in 10 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($106,577) is $2,664 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 3-bedroom ($2,350); a 4-bedroom is $2,760.

Rank in Frederick

2nd cheapest of 4 ZIP codes in Frederick.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 21701. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$25,896/yr

At $2,158/mo median

Location

CityFrederick

StateMD

CountyFrederick County

Rent Market Meter

Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are climbing (3.6% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.

Based on rent-price momentum (+3.6% YoY, +0.7% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 21701 (Frederick, MD) is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 50.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

43,048

Median income

$106,577

Median age

39.6

Renters

33.8%

Age distribution

18.4%

24.2%

26.6%

12.6%

18.2%

Under 1818.4%

18–3424.2%

35–5426.6%

55–6412.6%

65+18.2%

Gender

48.4%

51.6%

Male48.4%

Female51.6%

Race & ethnicity

69.7%

White69.7%

Black11.4%

Hispanic9.7%

Asian4.2%

Other5.1%

Education (25+)

19.6%

24.1%

50.1%

No HS diploma6.3%

HS diploma19.6%

Some college24.1%

Bachelor's+50.1%

Housing tenure

66.2%

33.8%

Owner66.2%

Renter33.8%

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

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 21701 in Frederick, MD has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,644 → $2,158

up 31.3%

Income

$90,531 → $106,577

up 17.7%

Population

40,203 → 43,048

up 7.1%

Renter share

34.5% → 33.8%

-0.7 pts

Bachelor's+

46.5% → 50.1%

+3.6 pts

Median age

39 → 39.6

+0.6 yrs

The median rent in ZIP 21701 in Frederick, MD stood at $1,644 in 2021 and currently runs about $2,158, reflecting a 31.3% increase over the period. Household income in the area moved from $90,531 to $106,577 across the same window, up 17.7% versus 2021. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. The population has grown by 7.1% since 2021, moving from about 40,203 residents to roughly 43,048. College-educated residents now make up 50.1% of adults here, versus 46.5% in 2021. Reading these numbers side by side helps frame whether current listings in ZIP 21701 in Frederick, MD look reasonable against where the market sat half a decade ago.

Community

Discussions about ZIP 21701

No discussions yet. Start the conversation.

Local insights

Tips for renters in ZIP 21701

About renting in ZIP 21701

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 21701 covers Frederick, MD. The median rent here is $2,158/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $1,670/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $1,860/mo.

At 24% of local median household income ($106,577/yr), ZIP 21701 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 3.6% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 21701?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $86,000/year (about $41/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,158/mo in ZIP 21701. The local median household income is $106,577/yr, so the typical household meets that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 21701?

Rent in ZIP 21701 has risen 3.6% over the past year as of September 2026. That is the highest level since Zillow's records here began in February 2015.

Has rent outpaced income in ZIP 21701?

Yes. From 2019 to 2024, rent in ZIP 21701 rose 39.7% while median household income rose 27.5%, from $83,565 to $106,577. Rent is Zillow's yearly average; income is the Census 5-year estimate for the same years.

How does ZIP 21701 compare to other ZIPs in Maryland?

ZIP 21701 is in the middle among Maryland ZIP codes for rent, ranking #49 of 140 at $2,158/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 21701 changed +3.7%, against a typical +2.6% across the 124 Maryland ZIP codes Zillow tracks.