FY2027 Small Area FMR · Ocean City, MD

ZIP 21843 Fair Market Rent & Payment Standards

HUD's FY2027 Small Area Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom home in ZIP code 21843 (Ocean City, MD) is $1,180 a month, down 0.8% from FY2026. That is 0% equal to the Worcester County, MD area-wide FMR of $1,184.

2-bedroom SAFMR$1,180per month ▼ 0.8%

Area-wide 2 BR FMR$1,184Worcester County, MD

Rank in the area9thof 13 ZIP codes

Payment standard range, 2 bedrooms

90% of SAFMR$1,062

2 BR Small Area FMR$1,180

110% of SAFMR$1,298

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

Studio$990▼ 2.9%

1 BR$990▼ 4.8%

2 BR$1,180▼ 0.8%

3 BR$1,630▼ 1.8%

4 BR$1,970▲ 3.1%

FY2027 FY2026

Where 21843 sits in the Worcester County, MD area

Of the 13 ZIP codes HUD lists for the area, 21843 has the 9th highest two-bedroom Small Area FMR. Worcester County, 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 $1,184 for two bedrooms; an agency that opts in to Small Area FMRs would use $1,180 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	$990	$891 – $1,089	$990	$1,020
1 bedroom	$990	$891 – $1,089	$995	$1,040
2 bedrooms	$1,180	$1,062 – $1,298	$1,184	$1,190
3 bedrooms	$1,630	$1,467 – $1,793	$1,639	$1,660
4 bedrooms	$1,970	$1,773 – $2,167	$1,979	$1,910

A household renting a two-bedroom home at the Small Area FMR of $1,180 needs about $47,200 a year to keep housing costs at 30% of income. The area median family income is $111,100 and the 80% low-income limit for four people is $88,900. ZIP code 21843 lies mainly in Worcester County. See the Worcester County, MD county page for the full income limits table and the household check.

Nearby ZIP codes

ZIP	Place	Distance	2 BR SAFMR
21842	Ocean City	2.6 mi	$1,240
21811	Berlin	7.2 mi	$1,430
21813	Bishopville	7.3 mi	$1,460
21862	Showell	8.7 mi	$1,430
19944	Fenwick Island	9.9 mi	$1,590
19975	Selbyville	10.1 mi	$1,570

Questions

What is the Fair Market Rent for ZIP code 21843?

HUD's FY2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents for 21843 are $990 (studio), $990 (1 BR), $1,180 (2 BR), $1,630 (3 BR) and $1,970 (4 BR) a month.

What is the Section 8 payment standard in 21843?

Housing agencies set payment standards between 90% and 110% of the applicable FMR without HUD approval. For a two-bedroom unit in 21843 that range is $1,062 to $1,298 if the agency uses Small Area FMRs. Ask your housing agency for its actual payment standard.

Which income limits apply in 21843?

The FY2026 income limits of the Worcester County, MD area apply: median family income $111,100, low-income (80%) limit $88,900 for a family of four.