FY2027 Small Area FMR · Baltimore, MD

ZIP 21231 Fair Market Rent & Payment Standards

HUD's FY2027 Small Area Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom home in ZIP code 21231 (Baltimore, MD) is $2,370 a month, up 7.7% from FY2026. That is 18% above the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD area-wide FMR of $2,006.

2-bedroom SAFMR$2,370per month ▲ 7.7%

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

Rank in the area64thof 191 ZIP codes

Payment standard range, 2 bedrooms

90% of SAFMR$2,133

2 BR Small Area FMR$2,370

110% of SAFMR$2,607

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

Studio$1,800▲ 11.8%

1 BR$1,920▲ 7.3%

2 BR$2,370▲ 7.7%

3 BR$2,960▲ 6.1%

4 BR$3,300▲ 6.8%

FY2027 FY2026

Where 21231 sits in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD area

Of the 191 ZIP codes HUD lists for the area, 21231 has the 64th 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 $2,370 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	$1,800	$1,620 – $1,980	$1,523	$1,610
1 bedroom	$1,920	$1,728 – $2,112	$1,625	$1,790
2 bedrooms	$2,370	$2,133 – $2,607	$2,006	$2,200
3 bedrooms	$2,960	$2,664 – $3,256	$2,509	$2,790
4 bedrooms	$3,300	$2,970 – $3,630	$2,789	$3,090

A household renting a two-bedroom home at the Small Area FMR of $2,370 needs about $94,800 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 21231 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
21287	Baltimore	0.7 mi	$1,720
21202	Baltimore	1.0 mi	$2,410
21233	Baltimore	1.5 mi	$1,720
21201	Baltimore	1.7 mi	$2,110
21205	Baltimore	1.8 mi	$1,680
21213	Baltimore	2.1 mi	$1,720

Questions

What is the Fair Market Rent for ZIP code 21231?

HUD's FY2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents for 21231 are $1,800 (studio), $1,920 (1 BR), $2,370 (2 BR), $2,960 (3 BR) and $3,300 (4 BR) a month.

What is the Section 8 payment standard in 21231?

Housing agencies set payment standards between 90% and 110% of the applicable FMR without HUD approval. For a two-bedroom unit in 21231 that range is $2,133 to $2,607 if the agency uses Small Area FMRs. Ask your housing agency for its actual payment standard.

Which income limits apply in 21231?

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.