FY2027 Small Area FMR · Worcester, MA

ZIP 01608 Fair Market Rent & Payment Standards

HUD's FY2027 Small Area Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom home in ZIP code 01608 (Worcester, MA) is $2,110 a month, down 3.2% from FY2026. That is 3% above the Worcester, MA area-wide FMR of $2,043.

2-bedroom SAFMR$2,110per month ▼ 3.2%

Area-wide 2 BR FMR$2,043Worcester, MA

Rank in the area22ndof 72 ZIP codes

Payment standard range, 2 bedrooms

90% of SAFMR$1,899

2 BR Small Area FMR$2,110

110% of SAFMR$2,321

Housing agencies may set voucher payment standards anywhere from 90% to 110% of the FMR without asking HUD.

Studio$1,630▼ 3.0%

1 BR$1,640▼ 3.5%

2 BR$2,110▼ 3.2%

3 BR$2,640▼ 2.2%

4 BR$3,010▲ 0.3%

FY2027 FY2026

Where 01608 sits in the Worcester, MA area

Of the 72 ZIP codes HUD lists for the area, 01608 has the 22nd highest two-bedroom Small Area FMR. Worcester, MA is not on HUD's list of mandatory Small Area FMR areas, so voucher payment standards here are normally based on the area-wide FMR of $2,043 for two bedrooms; an agency that opts in to Small Area FMRs would use $2,110 for this ZIP code instead.

All unit sizes

Monthly gross rent including utilities
Unit	FY2027 SAFMR	Payment standard range	Area-wide FMR	FY2026 SAFMR
Studio	$1,630	$1,467 – $1,793	$1,577	$1,680
1 bedroom	$1,640	$1,476 – $1,804	$1,587	$1,700
2 bedrooms	$2,110	$1,899 – $2,321	$2,043	$2,180
3 bedrooms	$2,640	$2,376 – $2,904	$2,560	$2,700
4 bedrooms	$3,010	$2,709 – $3,311	$2,915	$3,000

A household renting a two-bedroom home at the Small Area FMR of $2,110 needs about $84,400 a year to keep housing costs at 30% of income. The area median family income is $130,400 and the 80% low-income limit for four people is $105,350. ZIP code 01608 lies mainly in Worcester County. See the Worcester, MA county page for the full income limits table and the household check.

Nearby ZIP codes

ZIP	Place	Distance	2 BR SAFMR
01610	Worcester	1.1 mi	$2,020
01604	Worcester	1.8 mi	$2,240
01605	Worcester	2.0 mi	$2,140
01609	Worcester	2.2 mi	$1,870
01603	Worcester	2.5 mi	$1,970
01602	Worcester	2.6 mi	$2,250

Questions

What is the Fair Market Rent for ZIP code 01608?

HUD's FY2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents for 01608 are $1,630 (studio), $1,640 (1 BR), $2,110 (2 BR), $2,640 (3 BR) and $3,010 (4 BR) a month.

What is the Section 8 payment standard in 01608?

Housing agencies set payment standards between 90% and 110% of the applicable FMR without HUD approval. For a two-bedroom unit in 01608 that range is $1,899 to $2,321 if the agency uses Small Area FMRs. Ask your housing agency for its actual payment standard.

Which income limits apply in 01608?

The FY2026 income limits of the Worcester, MA area apply: median family income $130,400, low-income (80%) limit $105,350 for a family of four.