Section 8 rent in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD

Q: What is a Small Area Fair Market Rent (SAFMR)?

SAFMRs are HUD fair market rents published at the ZIP code level rather than one rate per metro area. Housing choice voucher payment standards in this market are based on these ZIP-level rates.

FY2025 HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents for the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD MSA, covering 191 ZIP codes.

$2,138Avg 2BR FMR / mo

$2,351Avg 2BR at 110% Standard

191ZIP Codes

Fair market rent by bedroom count

Base SAFMR across all ZIP codes in this market. Housing authorities may set payment standards between 90% and 110% of these rates.

Bedrooms	Lowest ZIP	Average	Highest ZIP	Avg 110% Standard
Studio	$930	$1,545	$2,390	$1,700
1 Bedroom	$1,050	$1,752	$2,470	$1,927
2 Bedrooms	$1,290	$2,138	$2,950	$2,351
3 Bedrooms	$1,660	$2,753	$3,800	$3,028
4 Bedrooms	$1,880	$3,094	$4,240	$3,403

Small multifamily Section 8 income

Estimated gross monthly and annual rent for 2-to-4 unit properties, assuming every unit is rented to Section 8 at this market's average fair market rent. Small multifamily is a favorite for long-term buy-and-hold investors stacking stable voucher income across multiple doors.

Property Type	Unit Mix	Gross Monthly Rent	Gross Annual Rent
Duplex	2 × 2BR	$4,276	$51,312
Triplex	3 × 2BR	$6,414	$76,968
Fourplex	4 × 2BR	$8,552	$102,624
Fourplex	4 × 3BR	$11,012	$132,144

Gross scheduled rent before vacancy, maintenance and management. Run any Maryland multifamily listing through RealG to model it against real operating costs, or try the rental property calculator.

Highest-paying ZIP codes

Top 15 of 191 ZIP codes in this market, ranked by 2-bedroom SAFMR.

ZIP Code	1BR	2BR	3BR	4BR
20701	$2,410	$2,950	$3,800	$4,240
21029	$2,410	$2,950	$3,800	$4,240
21047	$2,410	$2,950	$3,800	$4,240
21053	$2,410	$2,950	$3,800	$4,240
21131	$2,410	$2,950	$3,800	$4,240
21402	$2,410	$2,950	$3,800	$4,240
21054	$2,390	$2,930	$3,770	$4,210
20764	$2,370	$2,900	$3,730	$4,170
20777	$2,380	$2,880	$3,690	$4,150
21076	$2,340	$2,860	$3,680	$4,110
21077	$2,340	$2,860	$3,680	$4,110
21409	$2,340	$2,860	$3,680	$4,110
21036	$2,380	$2,850	$3,650	$4,130
20754	$2,470	$2,810	$3,520	$4,130
20724	$2,250	$2,750	$3,540	$3,950

Quick cash flow check

Free Tool

Estimate monthly cash flow renting to Section 8 at this market's average fair market rent.

Purchase price Down payment % Interest rate % Bedrooms

Section 8 rent (avg FMR)—

Est. mortgage payment (PITI)—

Est. monthly cash flow—

30-year fixed. Taxes and insurance estimated at 1.5% and 0.5% of price per year. Before vacancy, maintenance and management. For a full itemized analysis, run this market in RealG.

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Frequently asked questions

How much does Section 8 pay for a 2-bedroom in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?

For FY2025, the average 2-bedroom Small Area Fair Market Rent in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD MSA is $2,138 per month, ranging from $1,290 to $2,950 depending on ZIP code. Local housing authorities may set payment standards between 90% and 110% of these rates, so the average 2-bedroom payment standard can reach $2,351.

What is a Small Area Fair Market Rent (SAFMR)?

SAFMRs are fair market rents that HUD publishes at the ZIP code level instead of one rate for a whole metro area. They reflect what modest rental housing actually costs in each ZIP, which means higher payment standards in more expensive neighborhoods. Housing choice voucher payments in this market are based on these rates.

Why do rents vary so much between ZIP codes here?

In Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD, 2-bedroom SAFMRs run from $1,290 to $2,950 per month. HUD sets each ZIP's rate from local rent data, so neighborhoods with stronger rental markets get higher voucher payment standards. For investors, the spread matters: the same house price can produce very different Section 8 rents a few ZIP codes apart.

How do I find Section 8 investment properties in Maryland?

RealG searches live listings across Maryland, runs Section 8 numbers on every property using these HUD rates, and grades each deal A through D against your buying criteria. You can start free with no credit card and see graded deals in this market in minutes.

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