ZIP Code · MD

ZIP 21811

Part of Berlin, MD

Pop. 24,377·Worcester County·51st most expensive ZIP in Maryland

Median rent (all units)

$2,148/mo

Year-over-Year

-12.3%

Month-over-Month

-0.2%

vs US Median

+$216

Reported rents

Stable (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 21811 · $2,148

More expensive than 68% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

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Compare your rent to the local median.

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,210

1 BR

$1,220

2 BR

$1,410

3 BR

$1,960

4 BR+

$2,270

Research median

$1,410/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

Past year vs. the rest of Maryland

Rent in ZIP 21811 changed -12.3% over the year to September 2026. Across the 124 Maryland ZIP codes Zillow tracks, the typical change was +2.6%.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($90,082) is $2,252 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 3-bedroom ($1,960); a 4-bedroom is $2,270.

Cheaper nearby

ZIP 21842, 5 miles away, rents for 21% less ($1,707/mo), about $5,300 a year in savings.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 21811. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$25,776/yr

At $2,148/mo median

Location

CityBerlin

StateMD

CountyWorcester County

Rent Market Meter

Strong Renter's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are down 12.3% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (-12.3% YoY, -0.2% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 21811 (Berlin, MD) is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income above the national average, 39.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

24,377

Median income

$90,082

Median age

54.9

Renters

16.7%

Age distribution

16.2%

12.9%

21.1%

14.9%

34.9%

Under 1816.2%

18–3412.9%

35–5421.1%

55–6414.9%

65+34.9%

Gender

47.3%

52.7%

Male47.3%

Female52.7%

Race & ethnicity

81.2%

White81.2%

Black9.6%

Hispanic3%

Asian1.6%

Other4.6%

Education (25+)

24.8%

29.6%

39.9%

No HS diploma5.6%

HS diploma24.8%

Some college29.6%

Bachelor's+39.9%

Housing tenure

83.3%

16.7%

Owner83.3%

Renter16.7%

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

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 21811 in Berlin, MD has changed in 5 years

Income

$79,337 → $90,082

up 13.5%

Population

24,187 → 24,377

up 0.8%

Renter share

19.5% → 16.7%

-2.8 pts

Bachelor's+

33.6% → 39.9%

+6.3 pts

Median age

53.2 → 54.9

+1.7 yrs

Household income in the area moved from $79,337 to $90,082 across the same window, up 13.5% versus 2021. The renter share has eased from 19.5% to 16.7%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 33.6% to 39.9% across the same window.

Community

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Local insights

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About renting in ZIP 21811

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 21811 covers Berlin, MD. The median rent here is $2,148/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $1,220/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $1,410/mo.

At 29% of local median household income ($90,082/yr), ZIP 21811 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 12.3% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 21811?

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 $2,148/mo in ZIP 21811. The local median household income is $90,082/yr, so the typical household meets that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 21811?

Rent in ZIP 21811 has fallen 12.3% over the past year.

How does ZIP 21811 compare to other ZIPs in Maryland?

ZIP 21811 is in the middle among Maryland ZIP codes for rent, ranking #51 of 140 at $2,148/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 21811 changed -12.3%, against a typical +2.6% across the 124 Maryland ZIP codes Zillow tracks.