For FY 2027, HUD's Small Area Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit in ZIP 20889 (Bethesda, MD) is $2,980 a month. That is up 10.0% from $2,710 in FY 2026. Bethesda is in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD HUD Metro FMR Area, where HUD requires housing authorities to set voucher payment standards by ZIP code using Small Area FMRs. Among 77 ZIP codes in Montgomery County, 20889 has the 12th-highest two-bedroom rent (county range $1,200–$3,660). The median county two-bedroom FMR in Maryland is $1,875, so ZIP 20889 is 59% above it.
FY 2027 rent by bedroom
FY 2027 fair market rent by bedroom for 20889
Bedrooms
FY 2026
FY 2027
Change
90–110% range
Studio
$2,360
$2,580
+9.3%
$2,322–$2,838
1BR
$2,430
$2,690
+10.7%
$2,421–$2,959
2BR
$2,710
$2,980
+10.0%
$2,682–$3,278
3BR
$3,420
$3,800
+11.1%
$3,420–$4,180
4BR
$4,020
$4,470
+11.2%
$4,023–$4,917
Fair market rent history, FY 2023–2027
Fair market rent by fiscal year for 20889
Fiscal year
Studio
1BR
2BR
3BR
4BR
FY 2027
$2,580
$2,690
$2,980
$3,800
$4,470
FY 2026
$2,360
$2,430
$2,710
$3,420
$4,020
FY 2025
$2,340
$2,390
$2,690
$3,370
$3,970
FY 2024
$1,820
$1,850
$2,100
$2,610
$3,100
FY 2023
$1,640
$1,670
$1,900
$2,380
$2,830
Two-bedroom rent in nearby Montgomery County ZIP codes
How much will Section 8 pay for a two-bedroom in ZIP 20889?
Housing authorities set voucher payment standards, normally between 90% and 110% of the FMR. With a two-bedroom FMR of $2,980, that basic range is $2,682 to $3,278 a month. The voucher pays the lower of the payment standard or the gross rent, minus the tenant's share, which is usually about 30% of adjusted monthly income. Confirm the local housing authority's current schedule before underwriting.
Which HUD fair market rent area is ZIP 20889 in?
ZIP 20889 is in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD HUD Metro FMR Area. HUD requires Small Area FMRs in this area, so payment standards are set by ZIP code.
How much did fair market rent change in ZIP 20889 for FY 2027?
The two-bedroom FMR rose 10.0%, from $2,710 in FY 2026 to $2,980 in FY 2027. Since FY 2023 it has risen 56.8%.
When do FY 2027 fair market rents take effect?
HUD's FY 2027 fair market rents took effect on October 1, 2026. When FMRs change, housing authorities generally have up to three months to bring payment standards back within 90% to 110% of the new FMR.
Source: HUD FY 2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents and area FMRs. Payment-standard ranges are 90% to 110% of FMR, HUD's basic range, not a housing authority's published schedule. How payment standards are set