FY2027 Small Area FMR · Baltimore, MD

ZIP 21201 Fair Market Rent & Payment Standards

HUD's FY2027 Small Area Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom home in ZIP code 21201 (Baltimore, MD) is $2,110 a month, up 8.2% from FY2026. That is 5% above the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD area-wide FMR of $2,006.

2-bedroom SAFMR$2,110per month ▲ 8.2%

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

Rank in the area91stof 191 ZIP codes

Payment standard range, 2 bedrooms

90% of SAFMR$1,899

2 BR Small Area FMR$2,110

110% of SAFMR$2,321

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

Studio$1,600▲ 11.9%

1 BR$1,710▲ 7.5%

2 BR$2,110▲ 8.2%

3 BR$2,640▲ 6.5%

4 BR$2,930▲ 6.9%

FY2027 FY2026

Where 21201 sits in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD area

Of the 191 ZIP codes HUD lists for the area, 21201 has the 91st 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 $2,110 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	$1,600	$1,440 – $1,760	$1,523	$1,430
1 bedroom	$1,710	$1,539 – $1,881	$1,625	$1,590
2 bedrooms	$2,110	$1,899 – $2,321	$2,006	$1,950
3 bedrooms	$2,640	$2,376 – $2,904	$2,509	$2,480
4 bedrooms	$2,930	$2,637 – $3,223	$2,789	$2,740

A household renting a two-bedroom home at the Small Area FMR of $2,110 needs about $84,400 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 21201 lies mainly in Baltimore city. 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
21233	Baltimore	0.7 mi	$1,720
21202	Baltimore	0.8 mi	$2,410
21217	Baltimore	1.3 mi	$1,680
21287	Baltimore	1.6 mi	$1,720
21231	Baltimore	1.7 mi	$2,370
21230	Baltimore	1.9 mi	$2,400

Questions

What is the Fair Market Rent for ZIP code 21201?

HUD's FY2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents for 21201 are $1,600 (studio), $1,710 (1 BR), $2,110 (2 BR), $2,640 (3 BR) and $2,930 (4 BR) a month.

What is the Section 8 payment standard in 21201?

Housing agencies set payment standards between 90% and 110% of the applicable FMR without HUD approval. For a two-bedroom unit in 21201 that range is $1,899 to $2,321 if the agency uses Small Area FMRs. Ask your housing agency for its actual payment standard.

Which income limits apply in 21201?

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.