Real Estate Investing in Frederick, Maryland (21702)

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

Frederick County • Population: 47,437 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 21702 (Frederick, 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 (47/100)

A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.

⚠️ Risks to Know
CLEAN

No major risk flags on the data we track.

What’s happening in Frederick, MD (21702)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $461,752
Avg Monthly Rent $1,999
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $100,449
% Renters 36.0%

Market Analysis: 21702 Frederick

This part of Frederick County is not an easy win. The 21702 ZIP records softness in key indicators, and the playbook that works in cleaner markets often stalls here.

The investment case in 21702 is significant only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $462K median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.

Nearby ZIPs in Frederick have seen price recovery that 21702 has not matched. Frederick County data supports the view that the spread is structural rather than temporary.

Demographically, 21702 is a market where tenant selection matters more than unit finishes. Operators who understand that tend to do fine; those who do not tend to learn why the ZIP trades at a discount.

Strategy in 21702 is an operator game, not a passive one. On the rental side, entry prices of $462K are inviting, the management lift is real and non-optional.

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 Frederick:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 64/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4.6× the median income
Value Trend
Stable (+1.0%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,999/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.
🏠

Property Strategy for 21702

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
4.7% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+9.7% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
2BR
$135,844/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $271,688 $1,780 4.7% +9.7% $135,844
3BR $419,652 $2,250 3.9% +8.0% $139,884
4BR $553,351 $2,640 3.4% +7.4% $138,338
5BR $680,701 +7.4% $136,140

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$487K$430K$373K$317K$260K$203KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$2,076$1,892$1,708$1,525$1,341$1,157Jul 2016Jul 2021Jul 2026

📊 How Does 21702 Compare?

Metric 21702 Frederick Maryland
Home Value $461,752 $397,349 $424,997
5-Year CAGR 4.2% 4.0% 4.9%
Avg Rent $1,999 $2,391 -
Cap Rate 3.4% 3.8% -
💡 Why Invest in 21702? Click to expand

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

A healthy rental market with 36% renter-occupied households ensures tenant availability.

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
A great house in the wrong ZIP is still a bad deal — screen every market by cash flow & cap rate.
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 21702 (Frederick, MD). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.4%
Low
5yr Growth
+4.2%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $461,752
Monthly Rent $1,999
Price-to-Rent 19.3:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.2%
Cap Rate 3.4%
5-Year IRR 7.6%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +1.0% ▲
3-Year CAGR +2.7% ▲
5-Year CAGR +4.2% ▲
10-Year CAGR +5.3% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year +5.0% ▲
3-Year CAGR +2.2% ▲
5-Year CAGR +4.7% ▲
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.4%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.4%). Financing reduces your cash-on-cash return below the cap rate. Markets like this may still make sense as IRR plays — factoring in appreciation, depreciation, and a future refinance when rates drop.

Run an IRR Analysis →

⚠️ Risk Signals

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

Vacancy
4.8%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
4.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+4.2%
Stable
Eviction process: Moderate Rent control: Moderate

Demographics in 21702

Population: 47,437

💰 Median Household Income
$100,449
This area
$100,449
State
$107,932
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
36.0%
This area
36.0%
State
23.8%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.1%
This area
2.1%
State
-20.0%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
39.6%
This area
39.6%
State
10.6%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
38.1 years
This area
38.1 years
State
1.9 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
4.8%
This area
4.8%
State
11.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 62.4%
Black/African American 16.9%
Other/Mixed 16.2%
Hispanic/Latino 12.3%
Asian 4.6%
👶 Under 18
23.9%
This area
23.9%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
14.8%
This area
14.8%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
8.0%
This area
8.0%
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 21702

B+ Avg School Grade
7 Schools
12.8:1 Avg Class Size
$16,833 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Monocacy Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
549 Students
👨‍🏫
13.2:1 Class Size
💰
$16,833 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Monocacy Middle

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
932 Students
👨‍🏫
13.7:1 Class Size
💰
$16,833 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Waverley Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
926 Students
👨‍🏫
13.3:1 Class Size
💰
$16,833 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Whittier Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
730 Students
👨‍🏫
16.2:1 Class Size
💰
$16,833 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Yellow Springs Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
605 Students
👨‍🏫
16.9:1 Class Size
💰
$16,833 Per Student
B Good

Heather Ridge

📚 06 – 12 High School
👥
57 Students
👨‍🏫
3.7:1 Class Size
💰
$16,833 Per Student
C+ Average

Frederick County Career & Technology Center

📚 09 – 12 High School Limited Data
💰
$16,833 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

3 Nearby 767 Off-Campus Students
C
Frederick Community College
6,796 students · 2.9 mi
C
Hood College
2,078 students · 4.6 mi
C+
The Temple-A Paul Mitchell Partner School
167 students · 5.1 mi

Investor Insight: With 767 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much rent can I charge in Frederick, MD?

Frederick, MD rentals go for roughly $1,999/mo a month. That puts gross yield in solid territory relative to $462K acquisition costs.

How qualified is the tenant pool in Frederick, MD?

The tenant pool in Frederick, MD is solid, supported by local employment and population fundamentals. Rents of $1,999/mo are well-absorbed by the market.

Is housing expensive in Frederick, MD?

Frederick, MD home values average about $462K. That price point suits investors targeting rentals with $1,999/mo in monthly income.

Is Frederick, MD landlord-friendly?

MD law landlord-friendly for landlords, and Frederick inherits those rules. Investors should still review local ordinances for rental licensing.

Which real estate strategy fits Frederick, MD?

Investors who focus on careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management typically do well in Frederick, MD. The numbers - $462K homes against $1,999/mo rents - support that play.

You know 21702 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 21702 ranks in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

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Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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