FY2027 Small Area FMR · Cambridge, MA
ZIP 02138 Fair Market Rent & Payment Standards
HUD's FY2027 Small Area Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom home in ZIP code 02138 (Cambridge, MA) is $4,310 a month, up 1.9% from FY2026. That is 43% above the Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, MA-NH area-wide FMR of $3,008.
Payment standard range, 2 bedrooms
Housing agencies may set voucher payment standards anywhere from 90% to 110% of the FMR without asking HUD.
FY2027 FY2026
Where 02138 sits in the Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, MA-NH area
Of the 259 ZIP codes HUD lists for the area, 02138 has the 7th highest two-bedroom Small Area FMR. Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, 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 $3,008 for two bedrooms; an agency that opts in to Small Area FMRs would use $4,310 for this ZIP code instead.
All unit sizes
| Unit | FY2027 SAFMR | Payment standard range | Area-wide FMR | FY2026 SAFMR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $3,500 | $3,150 – $3,850 | $2,440 | $3,390 |
| 1 bedroom | $3,610 | $3,249 – $3,971 | $2,518 | $3,560 |
| 2 bedrooms | $4,310 | $3,879 – $4,741 | $3,008 | $4,230 |
| 3 bedrooms | $5,140 | $4,626 – $5,654 | $3,584 | $5,070 |
| 4 bedrooms | $5,660 | $5,094 – $6,226 | $3,953 | $5,600 |
A household renting a two-bedroom home at the Small Area FMR of $4,310 needs about $172,400 a year to keep housing costs at 30% of income. The area median family income is $164,600 and the 80% low-income limit for four people is $137,100. ZIP code 02138 lies mainly in Middlesex County. See the Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, MA-NH metro page for the full income limits table and the household check.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions
What is the Fair Market Rent for ZIP code 02138?
HUD's FY2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents for 02138 are $3,500 (studio), $3,610 (1 BR), $4,310 (2 BR), $5,140 (3 BR) and $5,660 (4 BR) a month.
What is the Section 8 payment standard in 02138?
Housing agencies set payment standards between 90% and 110% of the applicable FMR without HUD approval. For a two-bedroom unit in 02138 that range is $3,879 to $4,741 if the agency uses Small Area FMRs. Ask your housing agency for its actual payment standard.
Which income limits apply in 02138?
The FY2026 income limits of the Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, MA-NH area apply: median family income $164,600, low-income (80%) limit $137,100 for a family of four.