21046 vs 21042 — Compare ZIP Codes
Side-by-side comparison. Blue = ZIP 21046, Orange = ZIP 21042.
Quick verdict: ZIP 21046 is more affordable rent, more diverse. ZIP 21042 is wealthier, higher home values, lower poverty rate, lower unemployment, more educated, higher work-from-home share.
Quick Facts
ZIP 21046
Columbia CDP, MD
View full profile →- Population15,433
- Median Income$126,549
- Median Home Value$469k
- Median Rent$1,928
- Median Age37.5 yrs
- Poverty Rate8.4%
ZIP 21042
Ellicott City CDP, MD
View full profile →- Population43,021
- Median Income$190,504
- Median Home Value$675k
- Median Rent$2,133
- Median Age45.0 yrs
- Poverty Rate2.7%
Visual comparison (same scale)
Population
15,43343,021
Median Income
$126,549$190,504
Median Home Value
$469k$675k
Median Rent
$1,928$2,133
Median Age
37.5 yrs45.0 yrs
Poverty Rate
8.4%2.7%
Demographics
ZIP 21046
Columbia CDP, MD
View full profile →- White %51.3%
- Black %31.3%
- Asian %6.9%
- Hispanic %6.1%
- Age 0–17 %20.7%
- Age 18–64 %67.1%
- Age 65+ %12.2%
- Bachelor's+ %62.0%
- Diversity Index63/100
ZIP 21042
Ellicott City CDP, MD
View full profile →- White %57.8%
- Black %4.2%
- Asian %29.3%
- Hispanic %4.3%
- Age 0–17 %25.8%
- Age 18–64 %55.2%
- Age 65+ %19.0%
- Bachelor's+ %74.7%
- Diversity Index57/100
Visual comparison (same scale)
White %
51.3%57.8%
Black %
31.3%4.2%
Asian %
6.9%29.3%
Hispanic %
6.1%4.3%
Age 0–17 %
20.7%25.8%
Age 18–64 %
67.1%55.2%
Age 65+ %
12.2%19.0%
Bachelor's+ %
62.0%74.7%
Diversity Index
63/10057/100
Economy
ZIP 21046
Columbia CDP, MD
View full profile →- Median Income$126,549
- Unemployment %3.2%
- IRS Net Migration+907
- Work From Home %17.0%
ZIP 21042
Ellicott City CDP, MD
View full profile →- Median Income$190,504
- Unemployment %2.1%
- IRS Net Migration+2,528
- Work From Home %26.2%
Visual comparison (same scale)
Median Income
$126,549$190,504
Unemployment %
3.2%2.1%
IRS Net Migration
+907+2,528
Work From Home %
17.0%26.2%
Housing
ZIP 21046
Columbia CDP, MD
View full profile →- Median Home Value$469k
- Median Rent$1,928
- Owner Occupied %62.7%
- Broadband %98.7%
- Vacant %4.1%
- Median Year Built1984
ZIP 21042
Ellicott City CDP, MD
View full profile →- Median Home Value$675k
- Median Rent$2,133
- Owner Occupied %85.4%
- Broadband %95.7%
- Vacant %2.0%
- Median Year Built1986
Visual comparison (same scale)
Median Home Value
$469k$675k
Median Rent
$1,928$2,133
Owner Occupied %
62.7%85.4%
Broadband %
98.7%95.7%
Vacant %
4.1%2.0%
Median Year Built
19841986
Climate & Location
ZIP 21046
Columbia CDP, MD
View full profile →- Snow Days/Year0 days
- Elevation (ft)400 ft
- Nearest Airport7.5 miles (12.1 km)
- Distance to Coast10.8 miles (17.3 km)
ZIP 21042
Ellicott City CDP, MD
View full profile →- Snow Days/Year0 days
- Elevation (ft)400 ft
- Nearest Airport14.0 miles (22.5 km)
- Distance to Coast12.8 miles (20.6 km)
Visual comparison (same scale)
Snow Days/Year
0 days0 days
Elevation (ft)
400 ft400 ft
Nearest Airport
7.5 miles (12.1 km)14.0 miles (22.5 km)
Distance to Coast
10.8 miles (17.3 km)12.8 miles (20.6 km)
Infrastructure
ZIP 21046
Columbia CDP, MD
View full profile →- Work From Home %17.0%
- Walkability (0–100)62
- Broadband %98.7%
ZIP 21042
Ellicott City CDP, MD
View full profile →- Work From Home %26.2%
- Walkability (0–100)38
- Broadband %95.7%
Visual comparison (same scale)
Work From Home %
17.0%26.2%
Walkability (0–100)
6238
Broadband %
98.7%95.7%
Frequently Asked Questions
How do ZIP 21046 and 21042 compare?
ZIP 21046 is more affordable rent, more diverse. ZIP 21042 is wealthier, higher home values, lower poverty rate, lower unemployment, more educated, higher work-from-home share.
What do the blue and orange colors mean?
Blue represents the first ZIP (21046), orange the second (21042). The same colors are used in the map markers and comparison bars.
Where does this data come from?
Data is from the U.S. Census Bureau and other federal sources. See our Methodology page for details.
How can I compare other ZIP codes?
From any ZIP page, use the "Compare with Another ZIP" tool, or go to /compare/XXXXX-vs-YYYYY (replace with two 5-digit ZIP codes).
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