How much is a home worth in ZIP code 21042?

The typical home in 21042 is worth $810,780, based on the Zillow Home Value Index.

Are home values rising in 21042?

Home values in 21042 are down 0.2% over the past year, and up 4.0% a year over five years.

What is the typical rent in 21042?

A typical home in 21042 rents for about $2,595 a month, a gross rental yield of 3.8%.

What is the property tax rate in 21042?

The effective property tax rate in 21042 is 1.2% — roughly $9,614 a year on a typical home.

ZIP code 21042 has a population of 43,327 and a median household income of $190,061.

HousingHandbookReference data

…

U.S. ZIP Code · MD21042

Howard County · Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD

Typical home value

$810,780^[1]

Zillow Home Value Index, as of April 2026

Appreciation

1-year: -0.2%
5-year / yr: +4.0%
10-year / yr: +3.6%

Relative price

vs U.S.: +185.4%
vs metro: +66.2%
vs state: +80.0%

Price history

Zillow Home Value Index — monthly, smoothed and seasonally adjusted.

The typical home in 21042 is worth $810,780 — 66.2% above the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD median. Over the past year, values have fallen 0.2%. Homes here rent for a typical $2,595 a month — a 3.8% gross rental yield. The effective property tax rate is 1.2%.

#Rent & investment

Typical asking rent, and the returns it implies at the current home value.

Monthly rent: $2,595^[2]
Gross yield: 3.8%^[2]
Cap rate: 2.3%^[2]

#Property tax

Effective rate — total real estate taxes paid relative to total home value.

Effective tax rate: 1.2%^[3]
Typical annual tax: $9,614^[3]

#Climate risk

FEMA National Risk Index ratings for Howard County. "Not Applicable" means the hazard does not threaten the county.

Overall risk: Relatively Low^[4]
Riverine flood: Relatively Moderate
Coastal flood: Very Low
Wildfire: Very Low
Drought: Relatively Moderate
Heat wave: Relatively Moderate
Hurricane: Relatively Low
Tornado: Relatively Low
Earthquake: Relatively Low
Winter weather: Relatively High

#Who lives here

Population: 43,327^[3]
Median household income: $190,061^[3]

#Migration

Household moves in and out of Howard County over a year, from IRS tax-return data.

Net migration: -1,203^[5]
Moved in: 11,543
Moved out: 12,746

Schools

Open public schools in this ZIP, from the NCES Common Core of Data.

Public schools: 13
Elementary: 6
Middle: 3
High: 4

Mount Hebron High
High · Grades 9–12 · Howard County Public Schools
1,518 students
Centennial High
High · Grades 9–12 · Howard County Public Schools
1,364 students
Waverly Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–5 · Howard County Public Schools
868 students
Burleigh Manor Middle
Middle · Grades 6–8 · Howard County Public Schools
776 students
Northfield Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–5 · Howard County Public Schools
749 students

Run the numbers

Interactive calculators pre-filled with this ZIP's typical home value, rent, and property-tax rate. Edit any field to recompute.

Home value$Monthly rent$

Gross yield3.8%

Net yield (after ~40% expenses)2.3%

Annual rent$31,142

Gross and net yield are estimates based on the inputs and the selected expense ratio. Actual income and expenses will vary by property and market. Not investment advice.

Home price$Down payment%Interest rate%Loan termyears

Monthly payment$4,100

Loan principal$648,624

Down payment$162,156

Total interest paid$827,284

Estimated monthly payments include principal and interest only. Actual costs will include property tax, insurance, possibly PMI, and HOA fees not modeled here. Loan terms shown are estimates; consult a licensed lender for current rates and qualification.

Home price$Monthly rent$Down payment%Mortgage rate%Property tax rate% / yrMaintenance% / yrRule of thumb: 1% of home value per year.

Own : rent ratio2.15

Monthly cost to own$5,579

Monthly rent$2,595

Renting is meaningfully cheaper month-to-month.

This calculator projects multi-year scenarios based on assumptions about appreciation, rent growth, and investment returns — none of which are guaranteed. Actual outcomes depend on variables this tool cannot know. Not financial or real estate advice.

#Metro ranking

Where this ZIP sits among others in its metro area.

Appreciation: 62nd percentile^[1]
Rental yield: 0th percentile^[2]
Property tax: 87th percentile^[3]

Frequently asked

How much is a home worth in ZIP code 21042?: The typical home in 21042 is worth $810,780, based on the Zillow Home Value Index.
Are home values rising in 21042?: Home values in 21042 are down 0.2% over the past year, and up 4.0% a year over five years.
What is the typical rent in 21042?: A typical home in 21042 rents for about $2,595 a month, a gross rental yield of 3.8%.
What is the property tax rate in 21042?: The effective property tax rate in 21042 is 1.2% — roughly $9,614 a year on a typical home.
Who lives in 21042?: ZIP code 21042 has a population of 43,327 and a median household income of $190,061.

#Comparable ZIPs

Same metro, nearest typical home value. Each card shows the comparable ZIP's headline numbers so you can scan at a glance.

21797 vs 21042 →
Lisbon CDP, MD
Typical home
$815,812
Gross yield
—
20776 vs 21042 →
MD
Typical home
$764,888
Gross yield
—
21131
Cockeysville CDP, MD
Typical home
$756,473
Gross yield
—
21146
Severna Park CDP, MD
Typical home
$750,360
Gross yield
4.9%
21104
Eldersburg CDP, MD
Typical home
$728,290
Gross yield
—
21111
MD
Typical home
$722,493
Gross yield
—

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Pit ZIP 21042 against any other ZIP — full side-by-side table.

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#Jump to section

U.S. ZIP Code · MD21042

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