Real Estate Investing in Baltimore, Maryland (21224)

Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.

Baltimore City • Population: 46,949 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 21224 (Baltimore, MD)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (68/100)

Mixed signals — some positives, some negatives. Worth considering but not a slam-dunk.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (57/100)

A cash-flow market — rent-to-price math works from day one, though value growth is modest. Great for income-focused investors.

⚠️ Risks to Know
1 flag
  • High vacancy: 14.3% of homes vacant — above national norms.

What’s happening in Baltimore, MD (21224)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

5.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $240,962
Avg Monthly Rent $2,214
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $86,443
% Renters 38.8%

Market Analysis: 21224 Baltimore

Not every below-median market is a bargain. Baltimore's 21224 ZIP registers signals that favor experienced operators who can absorb the risk $241K pricing implies.

Rent of $2,214/mo on a $241K basis reads well until vacancy, delinquency, and capex enter the model. The honest cap rate in 21224 sits below the stated 0.0% once reality is priced in.

Within MD, ZIP 21224 trails on several market indicators that neighboring Baltimore City submarkets outperform. The gap is real and healthy enough to shape underwriting.

The demographic picture in 21224 includes headwinds that any investor should price in. Income distribution skews lower than Baltimore averages, and tenant stability requires active management.

Strategically, 21224 can be a high-return sleeve of a diversified portfolio — but it should not be the whole portfolio, and it should not be someone's first deal.

Explore the Data — Click a Tab Below
🏦 Current 30-yr Fixed Mortgage Rate: 6.76% as of Sep 10 Source: Freddie Mac PMMS

Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Baltimore:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 70/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
14/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 2.8× the median income
Value Trend
Stable (+1.0%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $2,214/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
⚖️
BALANCED MARKET
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD Metro Area
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
35 days
Average time to sell
Average
10.9%
Listings with price cuts
Few Cuts
0.0%
Sale price vs asking
Below Ask
0.0%
Income needed for mortgage
Affordable
📅 Market conditions as of August 29, 2026 — updated weekly from Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 21224

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
6.7% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+5.2% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
3BR
$97,621/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $202,312 $1,750 6.2% +4.6% $202,312
2BR $245,958 $2,150 6.3% +5.2% $122,979
3BR $292,864 $2,730 6.7% +4.5% $97,621
4BR $398,921 $3,020 5.5% +4.9% $99,730

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$255K$229K$203K$178K$152K$126KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$2,281$2,087$1,893$1,700$1,506$1,312Jul 2016Jul 2021Jul 2026

📊 How Does 21224 Compare?

Metric 21224 Baltimore Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD Maryland
Home Value $240,962 $181,225 N/A $424,997
5-Year CAGR 2.7% 1.8% N/A 4.9%
Avg Rent $2,214 $1,757 N/A -
Cap Rate 7.2% 7.5% - -
💡 Why Invest in 21224? Click to expand

With a 3/5 investability rating, this ZIP shows solid fundamentals for buy-and-hold investors.

A healthy rental market with 39% renter-occupied households ensures tenant availability.

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 21224 (Baltimore, MD). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Property managers serving Baltimore City County

Manage rentals here? List your business →

Real Property Management Reliable Solutions is a property management company serving Baltimore, MD. summary from their website

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RPR Property Management, LLC provides property management services for rental properties. summary from their website

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Listings are shown for convenience — Repit doesn’t endorse or vet these companies. Ratings shown come only from email-verified visitors.

Investability
Good
Cap Rate
7.2%
Good
5yr Growth
+2.7%
Slow

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $240,962
Monthly Rent $2,214
Price-to-Rent 9.1:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 11.0%
Cap Rate 7.2%
5-Year IRR 9.9%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +1.0% ▲
3-Year CAGR +2.0% ▲
5-Year CAGR +2.7% ▲
10-Year CAGR +3.2% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year +7.8% ▲
3-Year CAGR +4.9% ▲
5-Year CAGR +4.9% ▲
Neutral Leverage Cap Rate: 7.2%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage is roughly neutral here.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) is close to the estimated cap rate (7.2%). Financing this market at current rates produces a cash-on-cash return near the cap rate. Appreciation and tax benefits may still support the investment.

⚠️ Risk Signals

Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.

Vacancy
14.3%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
4.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+2.7%
Stable
Eviction process: Moderate Rent control: Moderate

Demographics in 21224

Population: 46,949

💰 Median Household Income
$86,443
This area
$86,443
State
$107,932
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
38.8%
This area
38.8%
State
23.8%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.6%
This area
2.6%
State
-20.0%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
48.8%
This area
48.8%
State
10.6%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
34.2 years
This area
34.2 years
State
1.9 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
14.3%
This area
14.3%
State
11.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 64.3%
Other/Mixed 18.0%
Black/African American 13.9%
Hispanic/Latino 13.7%
Asian 3.8%
👶 Under 18
19.9%
This area
19.9%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
12.3%
This area
12.3%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
12.3%
This area
12.3%
USA
11.5%

Crime & Safety

🚧

Crime & Safety Data Coming Soon

We're integrating comprehensive crime statistics including violent crime rates, property crime, and safety scores to help you make informed investment decisions.

Expected: Q1 2025

🎓 Schools in 21224

A Avg School Grade
12 Schools
14.8:1 Avg Class Size
$22,925 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

William Paca Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
417 Students
👨‍🏫
10.4:1 Class Size
💰
$23,862 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Highlandtown Elementary/Middle #215

📚 Pre-K – 08 School
👥
414 Students
👨‍🏫
14.3:1 Class Size
💰
$23,862 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Holabird Academy

📚 Pre-K – 08 School
👥
597 Students
👨‍🏫
12.3:1 Class Size
💰
$23,862 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Patterson Park Public Charter School

📚 Pre-K – 08 School Charter
👥
727 Students
👨‍🏫
13.7:1 Class Size
💰
$23,862 Per Student
A Very Good

Clay Hill Public Charter School

📚 K – 05 Elementary Charter
👥
293 Students
👨‍🏫
12.7:1 Class Size
💰
$23,862 Per Student
A Very Good

John Ruhrah Elementary/Middle

📚 Pre-K – 08 School
👥
1,014 Students
👨‍🏫
12.2:1 Class Size
💰
$23,862 Per Student
A Very Good

Patterson High

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
1,266 Students
👨‍🏫
14.4:1 Class Size
💰
$23,862 Per Student
A Very Good
👥
801 Students
👨‍🏫
15.7:1 Class Size
💰
$23,862 Per Student
A Very Good

Berkshire Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
495 Students
👨‍🏫
16.0:1 Class Size
💰
$18,242 Per Student
A Very Good

Colgate Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
522 Students
👨‍🏫
15.7:1 Class Size
💰
$18,242 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Highlandtown Elementary/Middle #237

📚 Pre-K – 08 School
👥
851 Students
👨‍🏫
20.8:1 Class Size
💰
$23,862 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Hampstead Hill Academy

📚 Pre-K – 08 School Charter
👥
890 Students
👨‍🏫
19.4:1 Class Size
💰
$23,862 Per Student
About Repit School Scores

Traditional school ratings rely heavily on standardized test scores, which often reflect family income more than school quality. Repit takes a different approach.

We evaluate schools based on factors that research shows actually impact educational outcomes:

  • Class Size — Smaller classes mean more individual attention
  • School Funding — Resources available for programs, staff, and facilities
  • Community Factors — Neighborhood characteristics that influence student success
  • School Environment — Size, type, and structure

Scores are updated annually using federal education data.

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

8 Nearby 1,680 Off-Campus Students
C
All-State Career-Baltimore
535 students · 1.3 mi
C
Maryland Beauty Academy of Essex
36 students · 2.0 mi
D
University System of Maryland-Research Centers
0 students · 3.5 mi
D
University System of Maryland
0 students · 3.5 mi
C
Baltimore Studio of Hair Design
39 students · 4.3 mi
C
Holistic Massage Training Institute
28 students · 4.3 mi
C
University of Baltimore
3,101 students · 4.3 mi
C+
University of Maryland, Baltimore
6,667 students · 4.5 mi

Investor Insight: With 1,680 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

What price range are homes in Baltimore, MD?

Baltimore, MD median home values land near $241K. That is reasonable territory for investors looking at $2,214/mo-per-month rentals.

Are there empty rentals in Baltimore, MD?

Baltimore, MD vacancy trends elevated. Investors running standard buy-and-hold plays see reasonable downtime between tenants.

Is Baltimore, MD suited for a house hack?

The house hack math a challenging in Baltimore, MD. Owner-occupant buyers benefit from the $2,214/mo rents and $241K home values.

Is Baltimore, MD landlord-friendly?

Baltimore, MD falls under MD landlord-tenant law, which is landlord-friendly. That backdrop makes day-to-day property management reasonable.

How does Baltimore, MD stack up for property investment?

Investors tracking Baltimore, MD will find a 3.0/5 rating supported by $241K median home values and $2,214/mo rents. That profile suits long-term holders targeting reliable returns.

You know 21224 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 21224 compares to every other market. Investor ($19/mo) screens every U.S. ZIP by cap rate, the 1% rule, vacancy and landlord climate, and exports your shortlist.

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How 21224 ranks in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable → 1% Rule →
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