FY2027 Small Area FMR · Baltimore, MD

ZIP 21212 Fair Market Rent & Payment Standards

HUD's FY2027 Small Area Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom home in ZIP code 21212 (Baltimore, MD) is $1,820 a month, up 2.8% from FY2026. That is 9% below the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD area-wide FMR of $2,006.

2-bedroom SAFMR$1,820per month ▲ 2.8%

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

Rank in the area140thof 191 ZIP codes

Payment standard range, 2 bedrooms

90% of SAFMR$1,638

2 BR Small Area FMR$1,820

110% of SAFMR$2,002

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

Studio$1,380▲ 8.7%

1 BR$1,470▲ 1.4%

2 BR$1,820▲ 2.8%

3 BR$2,280■ 0.0%

4 BR$2,530▼ 0.8%

FY2027 FY2026

Where 21212 sits in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD area

Of the 191 ZIP codes HUD lists for the area, 21212 has the 140th 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 $1,820 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	$1,380	$1,242 – $1,518	$1,523	$1,270
1 bedroom	$1,470	$1,323 – $1,617	$1,625	$1,450
2 bedrooms	$1,820	$1,638 – $2,002	$2,006	$1,770
3 bedrooms	$2,280	$2,052 – $2,508	$2,509	$2,280
4 bedrooms	$2,530	$2,277 – $2,783	$2,789	$2,550

A household renting a two-bedroom home at the Small Area FMR of $1,820 needs about $72,800 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 21212 lies mainly in Baltimore city and 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
21210	Baltimore	1.2 mi	$1,870
21239	Baltimore	1.4 mi	$1,680
21252	Towson	1.8 mi	$2,320
21285	Towson	2.4 mi	$2,150
21251	Baltimore	2.4 mi	$1,680
21204	Towson	2.5 mi	$2,340

Questions

What is the Fair Market Rent for ZIP code 21212?

HUD's FY2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents for 21212 are $1,380 (studio), $1,470 (1 BR), $1,820 (2 BR), $2,280 (3 BR) and $2,530 (4 BR) a month.

What is the Section 8 payment standard in 21212?

Housing agencies set payment standards between 90% and 110% of the applicable FMR without HUD approval. For a two-bedroom unit in 21212 that range is $1,638 to $2,002 if the agency uses Small Area FMRs. Ask your housing agency for its actual payment standard.

Which income limits apply in 21212?

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.