FY2027 Small Area FMR · Upper Falls, MD

ZIP 21156 Fair Market Rent & Payment Standards

HUD's FY2027 Small Area Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom home in ZIP code 21156 (Upper Falls, MD) is $1,950 a month, up 8.3% from FY2026. That is 3% below the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD area-wide FMR of $2,006.

2-bedroom SAFMR$1,950per month ▲ 8.3%

Area-wide 2 BR FMR$2,006Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, M

Rank in the area112thof 191 ZIP codes

Payment standard range, 2 bedrooms

90% of SAFMR$1,755

2 BR Small Area FMR$1,950

110% of SAFMR$2,145

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

Studio$1,480▲ 12.1%

1 BR$1,580▲ 8.2%

2 BR$1,950▲ 8.3%

3 BR$2,440▲ 6.6%

4 BR$2,710▲ 6.3%

FY2027 FY2026

Where 21156 sits in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD area

Of the 191 ZIP codes HUD lists for the area, 21156 has the 112th 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 $1,950 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	$1,480	$1,332 – $1,628	$1,523	$1,320
1 bedroom	$1,580	$1,422 – $1,738	$1,625	$1,460
2 bedrooms	$1,950	$1,755 – $2,145	$2,006	$1,800
3 bedrooms	$2,440	$2,196 – $2,684	$2,509	$2,290
4 bedrooms	$2,710	$2,439 – $2,981	$2,789	$2,550

A household renting a two-bedroom home at the Small Area FMR of $1,950 needs about $78,000 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 21156 lies mainly in Baltimore County. See the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro page for the full income limits table and the household check.

Nearby ZIP codes

ZIP	Place	Distance	2 BR SAFMR
21087	Kingsville	1.2 mi	$2,140
21085	Joppa	2.2 mi	$2,030
21162	White Marsh	3.3 mi	$2,070
21128	Perry Hall	3.4 mi	$2,190
21051	Fork	4.0 mi	$1,680
21082	Hydes	5.0 mi	$1,950

Questions

What is the Fair Market Rent for ZIP code 21156?

HUD's FY2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents for 21156 are $1,480 (studio), $1,580 (1 BR), $1,950 (2 BR), $2,440 (3 BR) and $2,710 (4 BR) a month.

What is the Section 8 payment standard in 21156?

Housing agencies set payment standards between 90% and 110% of the applicable FMR without HUD approval. For a two-bedroom unit in 21156 that range is $1,755 to $2,145 if the agency uses Small Area FMRs. Ask your housing agency for its actual payment standard.

Which income limits apply in 21156?

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.