FMR is near market; voucher and private rents are aligned.
1.01
2 BR
2 BR
1.03ratio
FMR$2,150
Market$2,090
vs market+$60
FMR is near market; voucher and private rents are aligned.
1.03
3 BR
3 BR
1.03ratio
FMR$2,690
Market$2,600
vs market+$90
FMR is near market; voucher and private rents are aligned.
1.03
4 BR
4 BR
0.87ratio
FMR$2,990
Market$3,430
vs market-$440
FMR is below market; voucher rent may lag private rents.
0.87
0.700.800.901.001.101.201.30aligned range
Historical
FY 2023-2027
FMR
FY2027
Market rent
last ~365 days
Property value
--
Tax rate
--
Mortgage rate
--
ZIP 21285 fair market rent, FY 2027
For FY 2027, HUD's Small Area Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit in ZIP 21285 (Towson, MD) is $2,150 a month. That is up 6.4% from $2,020 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, 21285 has the 12th-highest two-bedroom rent (county range $1,680–$2,480). The median county two-bedroom FMR in Maryland is $1,875, so ZIP 21285 is 15% above it.
FY 2027 rent by bedroom
FY 2027 fair market rent by bedroom for 21285
Bedrooms
FY 2026
FY 2027
Change
90–110% range
Studio
$1,480
$1,630
+10.1%
$1,467–$1,793
1BR
$1,650
$1,740
+5.5%
$1,566–$1,914
2BR
$2,020
$2,150
+6.4%
$1,935–$2,365
3BR
$2,570
$2,690
+4.7%
$2,421–$2,959
4BR
$2,840
$2,990
+5.3%
$2,691–$3,289
Fair market rent history, FY 2023–2027
Fair market rent by fiscal year for 21285
Fiscal year
Studio
1BR
2BR
3BR
4BR
FY 2027
$1,630
$1,740
$2,150
$2,690
$2,990
FY 2026
$1,480
$1,650
$2,020
$2,570
$2,840
FY 2025
$1,540
$1,760
$2,160
$2,780
$3,110
FY 2024
$1,340
$1,540
$1,890
$2,450
$2,770
FY 2023
$1,060
$1,220
$1,510
$1,960
$2,240
Two-bedroom rent in nearby Baltimore County ZIP codes
How much will Section 8 pay for a two-bedroom in ZIP 21285?
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 $2,150 it would be $1,935 to $2,365. 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 21285 in?
ZIP 21285 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 21285 for FY 2027?
The two-bedroom FMR rose 6.4%, from $2,020 in FY 2026 to $2,150 in FY 2027. Since FY 2023 it has risen 42.4%.
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