Real Estate Investing in Paramount-Long Meadow, Maryland (21742)

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

Washington County • Population: 35,114 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 21742 (Paramount-Long Meadow, MD)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (71/100)

Solid choice — stable market with a reasonable entry point and good rental backup if you ever need to move.

📈 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 Paramount-Long Meadow, MD (21742)?

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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 $349,975
Avg Monthly Rent $1,614
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $80,306
% Renters 33.0%

Market Analysis: 21742 Paramount-Long Meadow

Not every below-median market is a bargain. Paramount-Long Meadow's 21742 ZIP shows signals that favor experienced operators who can absorb the risk $350K pricing implies.

If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $350K asset, 21742 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.

Statewide comparisons place 21742 among MD's softer markets. That context does not make the ZIP uninvestable, but it does raise the bar for due diligence.

Demographically, 21742 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 21742 is an operator game, not a passive one. Turning to rents, entry prices of $350K 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 Paramount-Long Meadow:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 69/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4.4× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+3.1%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,614/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 21742

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
4.3% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+8.7% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
5BR
$105,305/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $266,569 $1,440 3.9% +8.7% $133,284
3BR $324,504 $1,940 4.3% +7.6% $108,168
4BR $442,214 $2,170 3.5% +7.4% $110,554
5BR $526,526 +7.5% $105,305

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$369K$327K$285K$243K$201K$159KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$1,721$1,669$1,617$1,566$1,514$1,462Jan 2024May 2025Jul 2026

📊 How Does 21742 Compare?

Metric 21742 Paramount-Long Meadow Maryland
Home Value $349,975 $349,975 $424,997
5-Year CAGR 4.5% 4.5% 4.9%
Avg Rent $1,614 $1,614 -
Cap Rate 3.6% 3.6% -
💡 Why Invest in 21742? Click to expand

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

📊 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 21742 (Paramount-Long Meadow, MD). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.6%
Low
5yr Growth
+4.5%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $349,975
Monthly Rent $1,614
Price-to-Rent 18.1:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.5%
Cap Rate 3.6%
5-Year IRR 8.1%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +3.1% ▲
3-Year CAGR +3.1% ▲
5-Year CAGR +4.5% ▲
10-Year CAGR +5.5% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year +2.7% ▲
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.6%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.6%). 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
5.6%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
4.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+4.5%
Stable
Eviction process: Moderate Rent control: Moderate

Demographics in 21742

Population: 35,114

💰 Median Household Income
$80,306
This area
$80,306
State
$107,932
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
33.0%
This area
33.0%
State
23.8%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.9%
This area
2.9%
State
-20.0%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
29.8%
This area
29.8%
State
10.6%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
41.0 years
This area
41.0 years
State
1.9 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
5.6%
This area
5.6%
State
11.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 75.2%
Other/Mixed 11.4%
Black/African American 10.6%
Hispanic/Latino 4.9%
Asian 2.8%
👶 Under 18
23.7%
This area
23.7%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
19.6%
This area
19.6%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
9.0%
This area
9.0%
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 21742

A Avg School Grade
8 Schools
15.5:1 Avg Class Size
$17,101 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Eastern Elementary

📚 03 – 05 Elementary
👥
440 Students
👨‍🏫
13.4:1 Class Size
💰
$17,101 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Ruth Ann Monroe Primary

📚 Pre-K – 02 Elementary
👥
584 Students
👨‍🏫
13.0:1 Class Size
💰
$17,101 Per Student
A Very Good

Northern Middle

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
822 Students
👨‍🏫
13.4:1 Class Size
💰
$17,101 Per Student
A Very Good

Fountaindale Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
414 Students
👨‍🏫
15.9:1 Class Size
💰
$17,101 Per Student
A Very Good

Old Forge Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
353 Students
👨‍🏫
16.8:1 Class Size
💰
$17,101 Per Student
A Very Good

Paramount Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
416 Students
👨‍🏫
15.2:1 Class Size
💰
$17,101 Per Student
A Very Good

Potomac Heights Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
336 Students
👨‍🏫
17.4:1 Class Size
💰
$17,101 Per Student
B Good

North Hagerstown High

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
1,558 Students
👨‍🏫
19.0:1 Class Size
💰
$17,101 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 1,384 Off-Campus Students
C
Hagerstown Community College
5,433 students · 3.0 mi
D
Award Beauty School
132 students · 4.0 mi
C
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Mont Alto
588 students · 13.2 mi

Investor Insight: With 1,384 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of vacancy should I budget for in Paramount-Long Meadow, MD?

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

What is the typical rental rate in Paramount-Long Meadow, MD?

Investors in Paramount-Long Meadow, MD typically see rents near $1,614/mo per month against $350K home values - a solid setup for rental cash flow.

How much should I expect to pay for a home in Paramount-Long Meadow, MD?

Expect median prices around $350K in Paramount-Long Meadow, MD. The market has run at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, so entry costs have been consistent.

What is the smart move for investors in Paramount-Long Meadow, MD?

In Paramount-Long Meadow, MD the solid play is typically careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The combination of $350K prices and $1,614/mo rents suits that approach.

How does Paramount-Long Meadow, MD stack up for property investment?

Paramount-Long Meadow, MD reflects an investability rating of 3.0/5, with median home values near $350K and average rents around $1,614/mo. That combination puts it in the sturdy tier for investor interest.

You know 21742 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 21742 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 21742 ranks in Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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