FY2027 Small Area FMR · Princeton, NJ
ZIP 08542 Fair Market Rent & Payment Standards
HUD's FY2027 Small Area Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom home in ZIP code 08542 (Princeton, NJ) is $3,360 a month, up 14.7% from FY2026. That is 50% above the Trenton-Princeton, NJ area-wide FMR of $2,242.
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 08542 sits in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ area
Of the 36 ZIP codes HUD lists for the area, 08542 has the 1st highest two-bedroom Small Area FMR. Trenton-Princeton, NJ 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 $2,242 for two bedrooms; an agency that opts in to Small Area FMRs would use $3,360 for this ZIP code instead.
All unit sizes
| Unit | FY2027 SAFMR | Payment standard range | Area-wide FMR | FY2026 SAFMR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $2,340 | $2,106 – $2,574 | $1,561 | $2,020 |
| 1 bedroom | $2,640 | $2,376 – $2,904 | $1,764 | $2,320 |
| 2 bedrooms | $3,360 | $3,024 – $3,696 | $2,242 | $2,930 |
| 3 bedrooms | $4,110 | $3,699 – $4,521 | $2,741 | $3,510 |
| 4 bedrooms | $4,620 | $4,158 – $5,082 | $3,081 | $4,010 |
A household renting a two-bedroom home at the Small Area FMR of $3,360 needs about $134,400 a year to keep housing costs at 30% of income. The area median family income is $139,800 and the 80% low-income limit for four people is $106,800. ZIP code 08542 lies mainly in Mercer County. See the Trenton-Princeton, NJ county page for the full income limits table and the household check.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions
What is the Fair Market Rent for ZIP code 08542?
HUD's FY2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents for 08542 are $2,340 (studio), $2,640 (1 BR), $3,360 (2 BR), $4,110 (3 BR) and $4,620 (4 BR) a month.
What is the Section 8 payment standard in 08542?
Housing agencies set payment standards between 90% and 110% of the applicable FMR without HUD approval. For a two-bedroom unit in 08542 that range is $3,024 to $3,696 if the agency uses Small Area FMRs. Ask your housing agency for its actual payment standard.
Which income limits apply in 08542?
The FY2026 income limits of the Trenton-Princeton, NJ area apply: median family income $139,800, low-income (80%) limit $106,800 for a family of four.