For FY 2027, HUD's Small Area Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit in ZIP 21252 (Towson, MD) is $2,320 a month. That is up 6.4% from $2,180 in FY 2026. Towson is in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD MSA. HUD also publishes the ZIP-level Small Area FMRs shown here, but unless the local housing authority has adopted them, vouchers are based on the metro-wide two-bedroom FMR of $2,006. Among 65 ZIP codes in Baltimore County, 21252 has the 7th-highest two-bedroom rent (county range $1,680–$2,480). The median county two-bedroom FMR in Maryland is $1,875, so ZIP 21252 is 24% above it.
FY 2027 rent by bedroom
FY 2027 fair market rent by bedroom for 21252
Bedrooms
FY 2026
FY 2027
Change
90–110% range
Studio
$1,590
$1,760
+10.7%
$1,584–$1,936
1BR
$1,770
$1,880
+6.2%
$1,692–$2,068
2BR
$2,180
$2,320
+6.4%
$2,088–$2,552
3BR
$2,760
$2,910
+5.4%
$2,619–$3,201
4BR
$3,060
$3,220
+5.2%
$2,898–$3,542
Fair market rent history, FY 2023–2027
Fair market rent by fiscal year for 21252
Fiscal year
Studio
1BR
2BR
3BR
4BR
FY 2027
$1,760
$1,880
$2,320
$2,910
$3,220
FY 2026
$1,590
$1,770
$2,180
$2,760
$3,060
FY 2025
$1,660
$1,900
$2,320
$2,990
$3,340
FY 2024
$1,690
$1,940
$2,390
$3,100
$3,500
FY 2023
$1,060
$1,240
$1,530
$1,980
$2,280
Two-bedroom rent in nearby Baltimore County ZIP codes
How much will Section 8 pay for a two-bedroom in ZIP 21252?
Housing authorities set voucher payment standards, normally between 90% and 110% of the FMR. With the metro-wide two-bedroom FMR of $2,006, which applies unless the housing authority uses Small Area FMRs, that basic range is $1,805 to $2,207 a month; under the ZIP-level Small Area FMR of $2,320 it would be $2,088 to $2,552. 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 21252 in?
ZIP 21252 is in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD MSA. Small Area FMRs are optional here; the metro-wide two-bedroom FMR is $2,006.
How much did fair market rent change in ZIP 21252 for FY 2027?
The two-bedroom FMR rose 6.4%, from $2,180 in FY 2026 to $2,320 in FY 2027. Since FY 2023 it has risen 51.6%.
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