ZIP Code · MD

ZIP 21921

Part of Elkton, MD

Pop. 45,527·Cecil County·80th most expensive ZIP in Maryland

Median rent (all units)

$1,904/mo

Year-over-Year

-1.1%

Month-over-Month

-1.2%

vs US Median

-$28

Reported rents

Falling (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 21921 · $1,904

More expensive than 56% 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

$1,400

1 BR

$1,530

2 BR

$1,820

3 BR

$2,180

4 BR+

$2,440

Research median

$1,820/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

Compared with the peak

Rent in ZIP 21921 is 2.7% below its high of $1,957 in June 2026, at $1,904 as of September 2026.

Past year vs. the rest of Maryland

Rent in ZIP 21921 changed -1.1% over the year to September 2026. Across the 124 Maryland ZIP codes Zillow tracks, the typical change was +2.6%.

Recent direction

Rent has fallen 3 months in a row, and rose in 6 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($85,775) is $2,144 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($1,820); a 3-bedroom is $2,180.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 21921. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$22,848/yr

At $1,904/mo median

Location

CityElkton

StateMD

CountyCecil County

Rent Market Meter

Renter's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are softening (down 1.1% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage.

Based on rent-price momentum (-1.1% YoY, -1.2% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 21921 (Elkton, MD) is majority owner-occupied, 28.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

45,527

Median income

$85,775

Median age

39.4

Renters

30.2%

Age distribution

22.9%

21.9%

24%

14.5%

16.8%

Under 1822.9%

18–3421.9%

35–5424%

55–6414.5%

65+16.8%

Gender

49.1%

50.9%

Male49.1%

Female50.9%

Race & ethnicity

76.5%

White76.5%

Black9.9%

Hispanic6.7%

Asian1.4%

Other5.4%

Education (25+)

36.2%

27.1%

28.8%

No HS diploma7.9%

HS diploma36.2%

Some college27.1%

Bachelor's+28.8%

Housing tenure

69.8%

30.2%

Owner69.8%

Renter30.2%

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

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 21921 in Elkton, MD has changed in 5 years

Income

$76,214 → $85,775

up 12.5%

Population

44,793 → 45,527

up 1.6%

Renter share

30.1% → 30.2%

+0.1 pts

Bachelor's+

26.1% → 28.8%

+2.7 pts

Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $76,214 in 2021 to $85,775 more recently. Census counts show ZIP 21921 in Elkton, MD adding about 734 residents over the five-year window, up 1.6% on net. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 26.1% to 28.8% across the same window.

Community

Discussions about ZIP 21921

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Local insights

Tips for renters in ZIP 21921

About renting in ZIP 21921

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 21921 covers Elkton, MD. The median rent here is $1,904/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $1,530/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $1,820/mo.

At 27% of local median household income ($85,775/yr), ZIP 21921 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 1.1% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 21921?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $76,000/year (about $37/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,904/mo in ZIP 21921. The local median household income is $85,775/yr, so the typical household meets that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 21921?

Rent in ZIP 21921 has fallen 1.1% over the past year as of September 2026. It sits 2.7% below its high of $1,957 in June 2026.

How does ZIP 21921 compare to other ZIPs in Maryland?

ZIP 21921 is in the middle among Maryland ZIP codes for rent, ranking #80 of 140 at $1,904/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 21921 changed -1.1%, against a typical +2.6% across the 124 Maryland ZIP codes Zillow tracks.