FY2027 Small Area FMR · Baltimore, MD

ZIP 21209 Fair Market Rent & Payment Standards

HUD's FY2027 Small Area Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom home in ZIP code 21209 (Baltimore, MD) is $2,280 a month, up 10.7% from FY2026. That is 14% above the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD area-wide FMR of $2,006.

2-bedroom SAFMR$2,280per month ▲ 10.7%

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

Rank in the area73rdof 191 ZIP codes

Payment standard range, 2 bedrooms

90% of SAFMR$2,052

2 BR Small Area FMR$2,280

110% of SAFMR$2,508

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

Studio$1,730▲ 14.6%

1 BR$1,850▲ 10.1%

2 BR$2,280▲ 10.7%

3 BR$2,850▲ 8.8%

4 BR$3,170▲ 9.3%

FY2027 FY2026

Where 21209 sits in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD area

Of the 191 ZIP codes HUD lists for the area, 21209 has the 73rd 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 $2,280 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	$1,730	$1,557 – $1,903	$1,523	$1,510
1 bedroom	$1,850	$1,665 – $2,035	$1,625	$1,680
2 bedrooms	$2,280	$2,052 – $2,508	$2,006	$2,060
3 bedrooms	$2,850	$2,565 – $3,135	$2,509	$2,620
4 bedrooms	$3,170	$2,853 – $3,487	$2,789	$2,900

A household renting a two-bedroom home at the Small Area FMR of $2,280 needs about $91,200 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 21209 lies mainly in Baltimore County and 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
21215	Baltimore	2.1 mi	$1,680
21210	Baltimore	2.2 mi	$1,870
21204	Towson	2.8 mi	$2,340
21208	Pikesville	2.9 mi	$2,340
21212	Baltimore	3.0 mi	$1,820
21211	Baltimore	3.4 mi	$2,020

Questions

What is the Fair Market Rent for ZIP code 21209?

HUD's FY2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents for 21209 are $1,730 (studio), $1,850 (1 BR), $2,280 (2 BR), $2,850 (3 BR) and $3,170 (4 BR) a month.

What is the Section 8 payment standard in 21209?

Housing agencies set payment standards between 90% and 110% of the applicable FMR without HUD approval. For a two-bedroom unit in 21209 that range is $2,052 to $2,508 if the agency uses Small Area FMRs. Ask your housing agency for its actual payment standard.

Which income limits apply in 21209?

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.