HousingHandbookReference data

U.S. ZIP Code · MD21045

Howard County · Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD

Typical home value

$488,910[1]

Zillow Home Value Index, as of April 2026

Appreciation

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

Relative price

vs U.S.
+72.1%
vs metro
≈ metro median
vs state
+8.5%
ZIP 21045 location in MD
Location of ZIP 21045 in MD

Price history

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

The typical home in 21045 is worth $488,910. Over the past year, values have fallen 0.2%. Homes here rent for a typical $2,123 a month — a 5.2% 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
$2,123[2]
Gross yield
5.2%[2]
Cap rate
3.1%[2]

#Property tax

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

Effective tax rate
1.2%[3]
Typical annual tax
$5,738[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
40,034[3]
Median household income
$118,563[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
11
Elementary
7
Middle
2
High
2
  • Long Reach High

    High · Grades 9–12 · Howard County Public Schools

    1,448 students

  • Oakland Mills High

    High · Grades 9–12 · Howard County Public Schools

    1,422 students

  • Phelps Luck Elementary

    Elementary · Grades PK–5 · Howard County Public Schools

    704 students

  • Waterloo Elementary

    Elementary · Grades PK–5 · Howard County Public Schools

    626 students

  • Lake Elkhorn Middle

    Middle · Grades 6–8 · Howard County Public Schools

    622 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.

Gross yield5.2%
Net yield (after ~40% expenses)3.1%
Annual rent$25,473

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.

Monthly payment$2,472
Loan principal$391,128
Down payment$97,782
Total interest paid$498,862

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.

Own : rent ratio1.58
Monthly cost to own$3,356
Monthly rent$2,123

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
59th percentile[1]
Rental yield
34th percentile[2]
Property tax
87th percentile[3]

Frequently asked

How much is a home worth in ZIP code 21045?
The typical home in 21045 is worth $488,910, based on the Zillow Home Value Index.
Are home values rising in 21045?
Home values in 21045 are down 0.2% over the past year, and up 4.0% a year over five years.
What is the typical rent in 21045?
A typical home in 21045 rents for about $2,123 a month, a gross rental yield of 5.2%.
What is the property tax rate in 21045?
The effective property tax rate in 21045 is 1.2% — roughly $5,738 a year on a typical home.
Who lives in 21045?
ZIP code 21045 has a population of 40,034 and a median household income of $118,563.

#Comparable ZIPs

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

  • New Windsor, MD

    Typical home
    $486,473
    Gross yield
  • Baltimore, MD

    Typical home
    $486,398
    Gross yield
    4.1%
  • Bel Air South CDP, MD

    Typical home
    $485,686
    Gross yield
    5.6%
  • Elkridge CDP, MD

    Typical home
    $492,656
    Gross yield
    5.7%
  • Savage CDP, MD

    Typical home
    $495,458
    Gross yield
  • Jessup CDP, MD

    Typical home
    $497,526
    Gross yield
    5.7%

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