FY2027 Small Area FMR · Lowell, MA

ZIP 01851 Fair Market Rent & Payment Standards

HUD's FY2027 Small Area Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom home in ZIP code 01851 (Lowell, MA) is $2,440 a month, up 7.5% from FY2026. That is 2% above the Lowell, MA area-wide FMR of $2,383.

2-bedroom SAFMR$2,440per month ▲ 7.5%

Area-wide 2 BR FMR$2,383Lowell, MA

Rank in the area21stof 27 ZIP codes

Payment standard range, 2 bedrooms

90% of SAFMR$2,196

2 BR Small Area FMR$2,440

110% of SAFMR$2,684

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

Studio$1,700▲ 8.3%

1 BR$1,870▲ 8.1%

2 BR$2,440▲ 7.5%

3 BR$2,950▲ 8.5%

4 BR$3,210▲ 6.6%

FY2027 FY2026

Where 01851 sits in the Lowell, MA area

Of the 27 ZIP codes HUD lists for the area, 01851 has the 21st highest two-bedroom Small Area FMR. Lowell, 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 $2,383 for two bedrooms; an agency that opts in to Small Area FMRs would use $2,440 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	$1,700	$1,530 – $1,870	$1,659	$1,570
1 bedroom	$1,870	$1,683 – $2,057	$1,831	$1,730
2 bedrooms	$2,440	$2,196 – $2,684	$2,383	$2,270
3 bedrooms	$2,950	$2,655 – $3,245	$2,878	$2,720
4 bedrooms	$3,210	$2,889 – $3,531	$3,132	$3,010

A household renting a two-bedroom home at the Small Area FMR of $2,440 needs about $97,600 a year to keep housing costs at 30% of income. The area median family income is $143,000 and the 80% low-income limit for four people is $109,600. ZIP code 01851 lies mainly in Middlesex County. See the Lowell, MA county page for the full income limits table and the household check.

Nearby ZIP codes

ZIP	Place	Distance	2 BR SAFMR
01854	Lowell	1.6 mi	$2,290
01852	Lowell	2.0 mi	$2,280
01850	Lowell	2.5 mi	$2,240
01863	North Chelmsford	2.7 mi	$2,340
01824	Chelmsford	2.7 mi	$2,930
01862	North Billerica	4.0 mi	$2,580

Questions

What is the Fair Market Rent for ZIP code 01851?

HUD's FY2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents for 01851 are $1,700 (studio), $1,870 (1 BR), $2,440 (2 BR), $2,950 (3 BR) and $3,210 (4 BR) a month.

What is the Section 8 payment standard in 01851?

Housing agencies set payment standards between 90% and 110% of the applicable FMR without HUD approval. For a two-bedroom unit in 01851 that range is $2,196 to $2,684 if the agency uses Small Area FMRs. Ask your housing agency for its actual payment standard.

Which income limits apply in 01851?

The FY2026 income limits of the Lowell, MA area apply: median family income $143,000, low-income (80%) limit $109,600 for a family of four.