FY2027 Small Area FMR · Towson, MD

ZIP 21252 Fair Market Rent & Payment Standards

HUD's FY2027 Small Area Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom home in ZIP code 21252 (Towson, MD) is $2,320 a month, up 6.4% from FY2026. That is 16% above the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD area-wide FMR of $2,006.

2-bedroom SAFMR$2,320per month ▲ 6.4%

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

Rank in the area68thof 191 ZIP codes

Payment standard range, 2 bedrooms

90% of SAFMR$2,088

2 BR Small Area FMR$2,320

110% of SAFMR$2,552

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

Studio$1,760▲ 10.7%

1 BR$1,880▲ 6.2%

2 BR$2,320▲ 6.4%

3 BR$2,910▲ 5.4%

4 BR$3,220▲ 5.2%

FY2027 FY2026

Where 21252 sits in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD area

Of the 191 ZIP codes HUD lists for the area, 21252 has the 68th 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 $2,320 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	$1,760	$1,584 – $1,936	$1,523	$1,590
1 bedroom	$1,880	$1,692 – $2,068	$1,625	$1,770
2 bedrooms	$2,320	$2,088 – $2,552	$2,006	$2,180
3 bedrooms	$2,910	$2,619 – $3,201	$2,509	$2,760
4 bedrooms	$3,220	$2,898 – $3,542	$2,789	$3,060

A household renting a two-bedroom home at the Small Area FMR of $2,320 needs about $92,800 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 21252 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
21285	Towson	0.6 mi	$2,150
21204	Towson	1.4 mi	$2,340
21212	Baltimore	1.8 mi	$1,820
21239	Baltimore	2.1 mi	$1,680
21286	Towson	2.2 mi	$2,060
21210	Baltimore	2.7 mi	$1,870

Questions

What is the Fair Market Rent for ZIP code 21252?

HUD's FY2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents for 21252 are $1,760 (studio), $1,880 (1 BR), $2,320 (2 BR), $2,910 (3 BR) and $3,220 (4 BR) a month.

What is the Section 8 payment standard in 21252?

Housing agencies set payment standards between 90% and 110% of the applicable FMR without HUD approval. For a two-bedroom unit in 21252 that range is $2,088 to $2,552 if the agency uses Small Area FMRs. Ask your housing agency for its actual payment standard.

Which income limits apply in 21252?

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.