ZIP Code · MD

ZIP 21826

Part of Fruitland, MD

Pop. 5,451·Wicomico County·117th most expensive ZIP in Maryland

Median rent (all units)

$1,595/mo

Year-over-Year

Stable

Month-over-Month

-1.9%

vs US Median

-$337

Reported rents

Falling (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 21826 · $1,595

More affordable than 65% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

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Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,210

1 BR

$1,220

2 BR

$1,600

3 BR

$2,110

4 BR+

$2,120

Research median

$1,600/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: July 20, 2026

From the history

What the numbers show

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($64,946) is $1,624 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($1,600); a 3-bedroom is $2,110.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 21826. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$19,140/yr

At $1,595/mo median

Location

CityFruitland

StateMD

CountyWicomico County

Rent Market Meter

Renter's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are softening (down 0.0% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage.

Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, -1.9% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 21826 (Fruitland, MD) is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, has a median income below the national average, 36.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

5,451

Median income

$64,946

Median age

33.2

Renters

34%

Age distribution

28%

25.1%

24.1%

13.1%

Under 1828%

18–3425.1%

35–5424.1%

55–649.7%

65+13.1%

Gender

44.3%

55.7%

Male44.3%

Female55.7%

Race & ethnicity

57.4%

25%

14.2%

White57.4%

Black25%

Hispanic14.2%

Asian2.3%

Other1.1%

Education (25+)

36%

21.4%

36.2%

No HS diploma6.4%

HS diploma36%

Some college21.4%

Bachelor's+36.2%

Housing tenure

66%

34%

Owner66%

Renter34%

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

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 21826 in Fruitland, MD has changed in 5 years

Income

$54,875 → $64,946

up 18.4%

Population

5,460 → 5,451

down 0.2%

Renter share

40.9% → 34%

-6.9 pts

Bachelor's+

37.9% → 36.2%

-1.7 pts

Median age

28.1 → 33.2

+5.1 yrs

On the earnings side, the typical household in ZIP 21826 in Fruitland, MD now reports about $64,946, up from $54,875 in 2021. About 34% of households rent today, against 40.9% in 2021.

Community

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Local insights

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About renting in ZIP 21826

Last updated: July 20, 2026

ZIP code 21826 covers Fruitland, MD. The median rent here is $1,595/mo as of July 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $1,220/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $1,600/mo.

At 29% of local median household income ($64,946/yr), ZIP 21826 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 21826?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $64,000/year (about $31/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,595/mo in ZIP 21826. The local median household income is $64,946/yr, so the typical household meets that bar.