FMR Lookup › Maryland › Baltimore-Columbia-Towson
Section 8 Fair Market Rent in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD (FY2027)
HUD's official FY2027 Fair Market Rents for the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD MSA, 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 | $1,523 | $1,371 – $1,675 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,625 | $1,463 – $1,788 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,006 | $1,805 – $2,207 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,509 | $2,258 – $2,760 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,789 | $2,510 – $3,068 |
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 $2,006 — 52% above the Maryland median of $1,320 across all 15 FMR areas in the state.
Counties and towns covered
The Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD FMR area is a metro area covering: Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Harford County, Howard County, Queen Anne's County, Baltimore city. 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 Baltimore-Columbia-Towson: Section 8 vs market rent, DSCR, or cash-on-cash return.
Comparable Maryland markets by 2BR FMR
| FMR area | 1 BR | 2 BR | 3 BR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calvert County | $1,666 | $1,890 | $2,617 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington | $1,558 | $1,860 | $2,216 |
| St. Mary's County | $1,642 | $1,787 | $2,242 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria | $2,204 | $2,438 | $3,107 |
| Salisbury | $1,102 | $1,428 | $1,870 |
| Talbot County | $1,260 | $1,421 | $1,968 |
Informational only — not financial, legal, or lending advice. Confirm current payment standards with the housing authority serving Baltimore-Columbia-Towson.