FY2027 Small Area FMR · Towson, MD

ZIP 21286 Fair Market Rent & Payment Standards

HUD's FY2027 Small Area Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom home in ZIP code 21286 (Towson, MD) is $2,060 a month, up 8.4% from FY2026. That is 3% above the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD area-wide FMR of $2,006.

2-bedroom SAFMR$2,060per month ▲ 8.4%

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

Rank in the area99thof 191 ZIP codes

Payment standard range, 2 bedrooms

90% of SAFMR$1,854

2 BR Small Area FMR$2,060

110% of SAFMR$2,266

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

Studio$1,560▲ 12.2%

1 BR$1,670▲ 7.7%

2 BR$2,060▲ 8.4%

3 BR$2,580▲ 7.1%

4 BR$2,860▲ 7.1%

FY2027 FY2026

Where 21286 sits in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD area

Of the 191 ZIP codes HUD lists for the area, 21286 has the 99th 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 $2,060 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	$1,560	$1,404 – $1,716	$1,523	$1,390
1 bedroom	$1,670	$1,503 – $1,837	$1,625	$1,550
2 bedrooms	$2,060	$1,854 – $2,266	$2,006	$1,900
3 bedrooms	$2,580	$2,322 – $2,838	$2,509	$2,410
4 bedrooms	$2,860	$2,574 – $3,146	$2,789	$2,670

A household renting a two-bedroom home at the Small Area FMR of $2,060 needs about $82,400 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 21286 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	1.7 mi	$2,150
21252	Towson	2.2 mi	$2,320
21234	Parkville	2.4 mi	$1,980
21239	Baltimore	3.2 mi	$1,680
21204	Towson	3.2 mi	$2,340
21212	Baltimore	3.7 mi	$1,820

Questions

What is the Fair Market Rent for ZIP code 21286?

HUD's FY2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents for 21286 are $1,560 (studio), $1,670 (1 BR), $2,060 (2 BR), $2,580 (3 BR) and $2,860 (4 BR) a month.

What is the Section 8 payment standard in 21286?

Housing agencies set payment standards between 90% and 110% of the applicable FMR without HUD approval. For a two-bedroom unit in 21286 that range is $1,854 to $2,266 if the agency uses Small Area FMRs. Ask your housing agency for its actual payment standard.

Which income limits apply in 21286?

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.