Objective To analyze the epidemiological characteristics and disease burden of malignant tumors in Shijiazhuang in 2021. Methods Based on data from the Shijiazhuang City Cancer Registry, incidence and mortality indicators for malignant tumors were calculated, including crude rates, age-standardized rates (using Chinese and world standard populations), and the cumulative rate (0−74 years old), to describe the epidemiological profile. The disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), years of life lost (YLLs), and years lived with disability (YLDs) were calculated to estimate the disease burden of malignant tumors. Results In 2021, a total of 13250 new cancer cases were recorded. The crude incidence rate was 275.50/10⁵, the ASR China was 177.17/10⁵, the ASR world was 172.11/10⁵, and the cumulative rate (0–74 years old) was17.77%. The age-specific incidence of malignant tumors reached its peak in the age group of 80–84 years old. A total of 7165 deaths were noted, and the crude mortality rate was 148.98/10⁵. The ASR China was 85.13/10⁵, the ASR world was 84.52/10⁵, and the cumulative rate (0–74 years old) was 9.49%. The age-specific mortality of malignant tumors reached its peak in the age group of above 85 years old. Lung cancer and breast cancer were the most common malignant tumors in males and females. The DALYs of malignant tumors were 87725.29 person-years, and the DALY rate was 18.24‰. YLL was 85392.09 person-years (97.34%), and YLD was 2333.19 person-years (2.66%). Lung cancer had the heaviest disease burden with DALY of 22687.12 person-years, accounting for 25.86% of all malignant tumors, followed by gastric, liver, colorectal and esophageal cancers. Conclusion Cancers of the lung, liver, female breast, stomach, and colorectum are the major health threats in Shijiazhuang. Malignant tumor brings heavy burden to residents of Shijiazhuang city. To decrease the disease burden of cancer, scholars should pay more attention, and implement preventive measures early.