The story of this market
The typical home in ZIP 21217 sells for about $105,000, or $106 per square foot.
Prices are down 31.4% from a year ago, which gives buyers more room to negotiate. Homes take about 73 days to sell, which is slow. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $1,119 a month.
ZIP 21217 — Baltimore
The 21217 housing market is currently experiencing significant downward pressure on prices, with a 31.4% year-over-year decline in median sale price. High vacancy rates and elevated poverty levels continue to weigh on the market, making it a challenging environment for traditional homeowners while attracting investors looking for low-cost entry points. The market is currently characterized by a high volume of distressed sales and a slow pace of absorption.
This ZIP is primarily suited for real estate investors seeking high-yield rental opportunities or low-cost entry points, rather than traditional family buyers or those seeking high-performing school districts.
Median prices moved down 31.4% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 73 days on market with 2.0 months of supply — a fast-moving market.
18% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 99.3% of asking — demand is running ahead of supply.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 12.3% · poverty 31.6% — elevated distress and economic pressure.
versus the prior ACS vintage
net outflow — more people moved out than in
ZCTA 21217, Baltimore City MD
ACS 2024 5-year estimates. Aggregate published statistics for this ZIP — never individual records, and never an attribute of any individual property or resident.
Crime rates in this area are significantly higher than both state and national averages, reflecting ongoing urban safety challenges in Baltimore City.
Public schools serving this ZIP generally face significant performance challenges, with many institutions receiving low ratings on standardized metrics.
The area is primarily urban with standard risks for older housing stock, including potential lead paint issues and localized flood risks common in dense Baltimore neighborhoods.
Economic momentum is driven by proximity to Baltimore's central business district and institutional anchors like Johns Hopkins, though the ZIP itself faces significant disinvestment and high vacancy.
Property taxes are assessed by Baltimore City at a relatively high effective rate compared to surrounding counties, with no state-level property tax but significant local levies.
Residents benefit from high walkability and access to public transit corridors, including bus lines and proximity to the Light Rail, facilitating commutes into downtown Baltimore.
The area features historic urban parks like Druid Hill Park and proximity to the Baltimore Museum of Art, though local recreational amenities are limited by high density and urban decay.
The rental market is characterized by high vacancy rates (28.4%) and a high share of renters (68.4%), with significant investor presence in the low-cost housing segment.
The economy is anchored by the broader Baltimore metropolitan area, with major employment sectors including healthcare, education, and government services.
The area is served by an extensive network of MTA Maryland bus routes and is near major transit arteries connecting to the Baltimore Inner Harbor and regional rail.
Development is largely focused on urban revitalization and historic renovation projects aimed at reducing the high vacancy rate.
The Baltimore City Department of Finance handles property assessments, which are conducted on a triennial cycle.
Parcels are subject to Baltimore City municipal taxes and various special taxing districts related to urban renewal and infrastructure maintenance.
Property insurance premiums are elevated due to the age of housing stock and the urban risk profile of the Baltimore City jurisdiction.
Data retrieved from U.S. Census Bureau ZCTA profiles and local market reports.
Public schools whose reported address is in this area (NCES). Not attendance boundaries — schools that serve residents may sit outside it. Check the district's address locator for assignment.
- K1 Speed Jessup4.513.7 mi
- Dave & Buster's Hanover - Arundel411.2 mi
- Sky Zone Trampoline Park4.113.7 mi
- Dave & Buster's4.210.2 mi
- Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park4.310.7 mi
- CFG Bank Arena4.11.5 mi
- M&T Bank Stadium4.72 mi
- Merriweather Post Pavilion4.513.9 mi
- Camden Yards4.81.6 mi
- Oriole Park at Camden Yards4.71.7 mi
- National Aquarium4.62 mi
- Oriole Park at Camden Yards4.71.7 mi
- The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore4.41.4 mi
- Cinemark Egyptian 24 and XD4.411.1 mi
- Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament4.611.5 mi
- National Aquarium4.62 mi
- Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine4.84.1 mi
- National Cryptologic Museum4.715.1 mi
- Baltimore Museum of Art4.81.7 mi
- The Walters Art Museum4.81.2 mi
- Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine4.84.1 mi
- Blandair Regional Park West Playground4.712.6 mi
- Centennial Park4.712.8 mi
- Rocky Point Park and Beach4.312.8 mi
- Patapsco Valley State Park - Hollofield Area4.68.1 mi
- Sparrows Point Country Club4.59.2 mi
- Port Covington Marina4.73.3 mi
- Anchorage Marina4.53.4 mi
- Dundee Creek Marina4.715.1 mi
- Baltimore Yacht Club4.712.9 mi
- Topgolf Baltimore3.82.2 mi
- Diamond Ridge Golf Course4.37.7 mi
- Pine Ridge Golf Course4.310.1 mi
- The Timbers At Troy3.410.1 mi
- Fox Hollow Golf Course4.310.9 mi
- Arundel Mills4.411.5 mi
- Towson Town Center4.47.1 mi
- White Marsh Mall4.310.2 mi
- H Mart Ellicott City4.59.8 mi
- Mondawmin Mall3.91.3 mi
Theme parks, venues, golf, airports, museums, water and shopping across the area from Google Maps, ranked by popularity within the radius shown.
A massive historic urban park featuring the Maryland Zoo and extensive green space.
A world-renowned art museum located near the edge of the ZIP.
Key-figure check: no independent anchor retained yet — first-researched cycles establish the anchor baseline this pass.