2026 Rankings

Highest Remediation Burden: Maryland — 2026

Last updated: October 19, 2026

210 ZIP codes ranked by Remediation Burden #1: ZIP 21223 (Baltimore, MD) - $800

Out of 210 ZIP codes with data in Maryland, these are the areas where estimated safety remediation costs represent the largest share of median home value. See also: National Rankings | All Maryland Rankings

Statistic Value
ZIP codes ranked 210
Highest burden 0.9% of median home value
Median burden 0.1% of median home value
Median estimated cost $500
State Maryland

Top 100 Highest Remediation Burden ZIP Codes

Rank ZIP Code City State Est. Cost Median Home Value Burden %
1 21223 Baltimore MD $800 $93,700 0.9%
2 21205 Baltimore MD $800 $94,900 0.8%
3 21540 Luke MD $300 $50,000 0.6%
4 21213 Baltimore MD $800 $134,900 0.6%
5 21229 Baltimore MD $1,100 $184,900 0.6%
6 21216 Baltimore MD $800 $148,800 0.5%
7 21562 Westernport MD $600 $113,200 0.5%
8 21217 Baltimore MD $800 $175,900 0.4%
9 21215 Baltimore MD $800 $189,900 0.4%
10 21239 Baltimore MD $800 $191,200 0.4%
11 21921 Elkton MD $1,200 $296,000 0.4%
12 21211 Baltimore MD $1,100 $274,000 0.4%
13 21222 Dundalk MD $800 $200,800 0.4%
14 21227 Halethorpe MD $1,100 $272,400 0.4%
15 21206 Baltimore MD $800 $213,700 0.4%
16 21201 Baltimore MD $800 $221,900 0.4%
17 21218 Baltimore MD $800 $229,800 0.4%
18 21207 Gwynn Oak MD $800 $248,400 0.3%
19 21214 Baltimore MD $800 $250,700 0.3%
20 21851 Pocomoke City MD $600 $186,700 0.3%
21 21901 North East MD $1,100 $342,800 0.3%
22 21052 Fort Howard MD $800 $268,300 0.3%
23 21221 Essex MD $800 $266,800 0.3%
24 21557 Rawlings MD $300 $99,900 0.3%
25 21220 Middle River MD $800 $279,900 0.3%
26 21234 Parkville MD $800 $276,000 0.3%
27 21237 Rosedale MD $800 $280,400 0.3%
28 21244 Windsor Mill MD $800 $271,200 0.3%
29 21224 Baltimore MD $800 $281,400 0.3%
30 21539 Lonaconing MD $300 $108,700 0.3%
31 21914 Charlestown MD $800 $300,600 0.3%
32 21133 Randallstown MD $800 $302,000 0.3%
33 21202 Baltimore MD $800 $307,700 0.3%
34 21208 Pikesville MD $800 $313,400 0.3%
35 21236 Nottingham MD $800 $306,800 0.3%
36 21804 Salisbury MD $600 $230,200 0.3%
37 21230 Baltimore MD $800 $327,700 0.2%
38 21231 Baltimore MD $800 $336,500 0.2%
39 21826 Fruitland MD $500 $211,200 0.2%
40 21157 Westminster MD $900 $394,100 0.2%
41 21521 Barton MD $300 $130,900 0.2%
42 21784 Sykesville MD $1,100 $478,200 0.2%
43 21117 Owings Mills MD $800 $370,700 0.2%
44 21212 Baltimore MD $800 $357,900 0.2%
45 21219 Sparrows Point MD $800 $370,800 0.2%
46 21811 Berlin MD $800 $362,500 0.2%
47 21903 Perryville MD $600 $271,700 0.2%
48 21136 Reisterstown MD $800 $380,200 0.2%
49 21210 Baltimore MD $1,100 $521,700 0.2%
50 21228 Catonsville MD $800 $389,200 0.2%
51 21702 Frederick MD $800 $384,800 0.2%
52 21801 Salisbury MD $600 $286,800 0.2%
53 20716 Bowie MD $800 $405,900 0.2%
54 20770 Greenbelt MD $500 $249,400 0.2%
55 21286 Towson MD $800 $402,000 0.2%
56 21001 Aberdeen MD $500 $267,400 0.2%
57 21128 Perry Hall MD $800 $424,200 0.2%
58 21209 Baltimore MD $800 $418,800 0.2%
59 21904 Port Deposit MD $600 $318,800 0.2%
60 21911 Rising Sun MD $600 $313,900 0.2%
61 20653 Lexington Park MD $600 $341,900 0.2%
62 20715 Bowie MD $800 $437,600 0.2%
63 21030 Cockeysville MD $800 $435,500 0.2%
64 21071 Glyndon MD $800 $451,800 0.2%
65 21788 Thurmont MD $600 $342,700 0.2%
66 21162 White Marsh MD $800 $463,400 0.2%
67 21532 Frostburg MD $300 $175,600 0.2%
68 21673 Trappe MD $600 $351,400 0.2%
69 21787 Taneytown MD $600 $344,800 0.2%
70 20613 Brandywine MD $800 $511,600 0.2%
71 20743 Capitol Heights MD $500 $317,100 0.2%
72 21087 Kingsville MD $800 $505,200 0.2%
73 21543 Midlothian MD $300 $186,000 0.2%
74 21632 Federalsburg MD $300 $192,800 0.2%
75 21703 Frederick MD $600 $364,300 0.2%
76 20710 Bladensburg MD $500 $335,000 0.1%
77 20720 Bowie MD $800 $545,800 0.1%
78 20746 Suitland MD $500 $325,000 0.1%
79 20747 District Heights MD $500 $325,400 0.1%
80 21085 Joppa MD $500 $327,300 0.1%
81 21659 Rhodesdale MD $300 $202,100 0.1%
82 20602 Waldorf MD $500 $360,800 0.1%
83 20737 Riverdale MD $500 $370,300 0.1%
84 20745 Oxon Hill MD $500 $351,500 0.1%
85 20748 Temple Hills MD $500 $355,600 0.1%
86 20784 Hyattsville MD $500 $356,500 0.1%
87 20785 Hyattsville MD $500 $346,000 0.1%
88 20886 Montgomery Village MD $500 $366,400 0.1%
89 21074 Hampstead MD $500 $349,900 0.1%
90 21204 Towson MD $800 $571,800 0.1%
91 21225 Brooklyn MD $300 $214,000 0.1%
92 21643 Hurlock MD $300 $220,000 0.1%
93 21713 Boonsboro MD $500 $348,300 0.1%
94 21756 Keedysville MD $500 $360,900 0.1%
95 20601 Waldorf MD $500 $380,700 0.1%
96 20722 Brentwood MD $500 $378,600 0.1%
97 20874 Germantown MD $500 $385,300 0.1%
98 21043 Ellicott City MD $800 $607,300 0.1%
99 21102 Manchester MD $500 $374,600 0.1%
100 21163 Woodstock MD $800 $598,700 0.1%

Methodology

The remediation burden ratio is calculated as: estimated remediation cost / median home value. Remediation costs are the sum of applicable safety measures for each ZIP code based on EPA, FEMA, and state data:

  • Lead service line replacement — cost included where area lead indicators (housing age, water system data, EPA sampling) are elevated; these do not confirm a home's service line
  • Radon home test - EPA zones are county-level potential categories, not home measurements; mitigation belongs only after a measured result
  • Whole-home water filtration — cost included where mapped water-system records exceed EPA guidelines; the right treatment depends on the contaminant
  • Flood insurance — in FEMA-designated flood zones with claim history
  • PFAS treatment — cost included where PFAS detections have been reported for mapped water systems; a detection alone does not show a home needs treatment

Median home values are from U.S. Census American Community Survey (ACS) estimates. Cost estimates use national average ranges from EPA, HUD, and industry data. Individual home costs may vary significantly based on specific conditions.

Last updated: 2026-10-19.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does "remediation cost relative to home value" mean?

This ratio compares the estimated cost of supported actions (lead pipes, a property-specific radon test, water filtration, and current flood-map verification) to the median home value in that ZIP code. County radon zones never add a mitigation-system cost.

How are remediation costs estimated?

Costs use published benchmarks for supported actions such as lead service line replacement, a property-specific radon test, and water filtration. A county radon zone does not trigger a mitigation-system estimate, and historical FEMA claims do not set an insurance premium.

Why does this matter for homebuyers?

In areas with high estimated remediation burden, the estimated cost of the listed measures can represent a large portion of the median home value; actual needs and costs vary by property. This is especially impactful in lower-value housing markets where a $15,000 remediation bill represents 10-30% of the home price. Standard home inspections may not identify all these issues.

Does a high ratio mean the home is unsafe?

Not necessarily. The ratio reflects potential costs based on area-level environmental data — not every home in the ZIP code will need all remediation work. However, buyers may want to review the underlying ZIP-level indicators and get property-specific inspections before purchasing.

Explore More Rankings

How this ranking is calculated, data sources, and limitations: Rankings Methodology →


Related Rankings

Lead Risk 2026 Lead service lines and old plumbing are the main source of lead in tap water Water Safety 2026 Infrastructure age affects water quality Home Safety 2026 Infrastructure risk is shown separately from the Home Safety Score
Disclaimer: Rankings are based on EPA, FEMA, and federal agency data. They reflect historical patterns and risk indicators, not necessarily current conditions. For the most current information, contact your local water utility or request a Consumer Confidence Report.

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