FY2027 Small Area FMR · Methuen, MA

ZIP 01844 Fair Market Rent & Payment Standards

HUD's FY2027 Small Area Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom home in ZIP code 01844 (Methuen, MA) is $2,450 a month, up 6.1% from FY2026. That is 4% above the Lawrence, MA-NH area-wide FMR of $2,367.

2-bedroom SAFMR$2,450per month ▲ 6.1%

Area-wide 2 BR FMR$2,367Lawrence, MA-NH

Rank in the area21stof 44 ZIP codes

Payment standard range, 2 bedrooms

90% of SAFMR$2,205

2 BR Small Area FMR$2,450

110% of SAFMR$2,695

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

Studio$1,740▲ 9.4%

1 BR$1,870▲ 6.2%

2 BR$2,450▲ 6.1%

3 BR$2,920▲ 5.4%

4 BR$3,220▲ 5.2%

FY2027 FY2026

Where 01844 sits in the Lawrence, MA-NH area

Of the 44 ZIP codes HUD lists for the area, 01844 has the 21st highest two-bedroom Small Area FMR. Lawrence, MA-NH 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 $2,367 for two bedrooms; an agency that opts in to Small Area FMRs would use $2,450 for this ZIP code instead.

ZIP code 01844 crosses more than one HUD area. HUD also lists it under Lowell, MA (same figures). The figure that applies depends on which side of the line the home is.

All unit sizes

Monthly gross rent including utilities
Unit	FY2027 SAFMR	Payment standard range	Area-wide FMR	FY2026 SAFMR
Studio	$1,740	$1,566 – $1,914	$1,677	$1,590
1 bedroom	$1,870	$1,683 – $2,057	$1,809	$1,760
2 bedrooms	$2,450	$2,205 – $2,695	$2,367	$2,310
3 bedrooms	$2,920	$2,628 – $3,212	$2,820	$2,770
4 bedrooms	$3,220	$2,898 – $3,542	$3,111	$3,060

A household renting a two-bedroom home at the Small Area FMR of $2,450 needs about $98,000 a year to keep housing costs at 30% of income. The area median family income is $137,300 and the 80% low-income limit for four people is $106,800. ZIP code 01844 lies mainly in Essex County. See the Lawrence, MA-NH metro page for the full income limits table and the household check.

Nearby ZIP codes

ZIP	Place	Distance	2 BR SAFMR
01841	Lawrence	2.2 mi	$2,170
01840	Lawrence	2.6 mi	$2,120
01843	Lawrence	3.8 mi	$2,490
03079	Salem	3.8 mi	$2,240
01832	Haverhill	4.1 mi	$2,300
01835	Haverhill	4.3 mi	$2,410

Questions

What is the Fair Market Rent for ZIP code 01844?

HUD's FY2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents for 01844 are $1,740 (studio), $1,870 (1 BR), $2,450 (2 BR), $2,920 (3 BR) and $3,220 (4 BR) a month.

What is the Section 8 payment standard in 01844?

Housing agencies set payment standards between 90% and 110% of the applicable FMR without HUD approval. For a two-bedroom unit in 01844 that range is $2,205 to $2,695 if the agency uses Small Area FMRs. Ask your housing agency for its actual payment standard.

Which income limits apply in 01844?

The FY2026 income limits of the Lawrence, MA-NH area apply: median family income $137,300, low-income (80%) limit $106,800 for a family of four.