FY2027 Small Area FMR · Columbia, MD
ZIP 21046 Fair Market Rent & Payment Standards
HUD's FY2027 Small Area Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom home in ZIP code 21046 (Columbia, MD) is $2,640 a month, up 6.0% from FY2026. That is 32% above the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD area-wide FMR of $2,006.
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 21046 sits in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD area
Of the 191 ZIP codes HUD lists for the area, 21046 has the 23rd highest two-bedroom Small Area FMR. Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD 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 $2,006 for two bedrooms; an agency that opts in to Small Area FMRs would use $2,640 for this ZIP code instead.
All unit sizes
| Unit | FY2027 SAFMR | Payment standard range | Area-wide FMR | FY2026 SAFMR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $2,000 | $1,800 – $2,200 | $1,523 | $1,830 |
| 1 bedroom | $2,140 | $1,926 – $2,354 | $1,625 | $2,030 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,640 | $2,376 – $2,904 | $2,006 | $2,490 |
| 3 bedrooms | $3,300 | $2,970 – $3,630 | $2,509 | $3,160 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,670 | $3,303 – $4,037 | $2,789 | $3,500 |
A household renting a two-bedroom home at the Small Area FMR of $2,640 needs about $105,600 a year to keep housing costs at 30% of income. The area median family income is $134,000 and the 80% low-income limit for four people is $106,800. ZIP code 21046 lies mainly in Howard County. See the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD 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 21046?
HUD's FY2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents for 21046 are $2,000 (studio), $2,140 (1 BR), $2,640 (2 BR), $3,300 (3 BR) and $3,670 (4 BR) a month.
What is the Section 8 payment standard in 21046?
Housing agencies set payment standards between 90% and 110% of the applicable FMR without HUD approval. For a two-bedroom unit in 21046 that range is $2,376 to $2,904 if the agency uses Small Area FMRs. Ask your housing agency for its actual payment standard.
Which income limits apply in 21046?
The FY2026 income limits of the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD area apply: median family income $134,000, low-income (80%) limit $106,800 for a family of four.