FMR Lookup › Massachusetts › Lowell
Section 8 Fair Market Rent in Lowell, MA (FY2027)
HUD's official FY2027 Fair Market Rents for the Lowell, MA HUD Metro FMR Area, by bedroom count. These figures set the baseline for what the Housing Choice Voucher program pays landlords in this area.
| Unit size | FY2027 FMR | Payment standard range (90–110%) |
|---|---|---|
| Studio / efficiency | $1,659 | $1,493 – $1,825 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,831 | $1,648 – $2,014 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,383 | $2,145 – $2,621 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,878 | $2,590 – $3,166 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,132 | $2,819 – $3,445 |
Source: HUD User — FY 2027 Fair Market Rents. FY2027 FMRs are effective October 1, 2026. FY2027 FMRs take effect October 1, 2026; until that date, the prior FY2026 schedule remains in effect. Retrieved 2026-09-07.
How this market compares
The 2-bedroom FMR here is $2,383 — 17% above the Massachusetts median of $2,039 across all 20 FMR areas in the state.
Counties and towns covered
The Lowell, MA FMR area is a metro area covering: Billerica town (Middlesex County), Chelmsford town (Middlesex County), Dracut town (Middlesex County), Dunstable town (Middlesex County), Groton town (Middlesex County), Lowell city (Middlesex County), Pepperell town (Middlesex County), Tewksbury town (Middlesex County), Tyngsborough town (Middlesex County), Westford town (Middlesex County). One FMR applies across the whole area — HUD does not publish separate figures per city or ZIP here (some large metros have Small Area FMRs by ZIP; check with the local housing authority).
What a landlord actually collects
FMR is the baseline, not the contract rent. The local housing authority sets a payment standard between 90% and 110% of FMR (the range in the table above), and your unit must pass a rent-reasonableness comparison against similar unassisted rentals nearby. The voucher then covers the gap between the tenant's share (roughly 30% of their income) and the approved rent.
Run the numbers for a deal in Lowell: Section 8 vs market rent, DSCR, or cash-on-cash return.
Comparable Massachusetts markets by 2BR FMR
| FMR area | 1 BR | 2 BR | 3 BR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lawrence | $1,809 | $2,367 | $2,820 |
| Brockton | $1,842 | $2,409 | $3,015 |
| Barnstable Town | $1,902 | $2,488 | $3,121 |
| Eastern Worcester County | $1,910 | $2,499 | $3,424 |
| Taunton-Mansfield-Norton | $1,666 | $2,179 | $2,596 |
| Easton-Raynham | $2,209 | $2,589 | $3,085 |
All 20 Massachusetts FMR areas →
Informational only — not financial, legal, or lending advice. Confirm current payment standards with the housing authority serving Lowell.