Section 8 rent
in ZIP 21838.
HUD Fair Market Rents for ZIP 21838, in the Somerset County, MD HUD Metro FMR Area. The 2-bedroom ceiling is $1,730/mo and the 3-bedroom $2,350/mo, both published by HUD for FY2026. This ZIP sits inside Maryland Section 8 rents.
data as of 2026-08-19 · HUD FY2026
FMR by bedroom.
| bedrooms | FMR / mo | std @ 90% | std @ 110% |
|---|---|---|---|
| studio / 0 BR | $1,340 | $1,206 | $1,474 |
| 1 BR | $1,340 | $1,206 | $1,474 |
| 2 BR | $1,730 | $1,557 | $1,903 |
| 3 BR | $2,350 | $2,115 | $2,585 |
| 4 BR | $2,470 | $2,223 | $2,717 |
The FMR is a reference figure, not the check. Most housing authorities set their voucher payment standard somewhere between 90% and 110% of the published FMR — $2,115 to $2,585/mo on a 3-bedroom here — and the exact percentage varies by public housing authority, with some running higher under a HUD-approved exception. Rent reasonableness against comparable unassisted rentals still applies before any lease is approved.
ZIP 21838 vs. Maryland.
| unit | ZIP 21838 | Maryland median |
|---|---|---|
| 2 BR | $1,730 | $1,770 |
| 3 BR | $2,350 | $2,280 |
The 2-bedroom FMR here is $40/mo below the Maryland median of $1,770/mo — about 2% lower. The 3-bedroom FMR here is $70/mo above the Maryland median of $2,280/mo — about 3% higher. HUD sets Small Area Fair Market Rents by ZIP in most large metros, so neighboring ZIPs inside one city can carry very different ceilings — see the full Maryland picture.
The DSCR math at this ZIP's rent.
At the ZIP 21838 3-bedroom Section 8 rent of $2,350/mo, the maximum PITIA that still clears a 1.20 DSCR is $1,958/mo. Assuming ~25% of that payment goes to property taxes and insurance, the maximum principal & interest is $1,469/mo — which supports roughly a $221,000 loan at around 7% over 30 years, or about a $295,000 purchase at 75% LTV.
Assumptions: 1.20 DSCR floor, ~25% of PITIA for taxes + insurance, around 7% on a 30-year fixed, 75% LTV. Rates move and your taxes, insurance, and LTV will differ — run your exact numbers in the DSCR calculator.
The ZIPs next door.
Wider context.
The rent ceiling is only the first number. How the program actually runs — inspection, payment standard, rent reasonableness, and the timeline before the first check clears — is walked through in the Section 8 investing guide.
ZIP 21838 Section 8, answered.
FMR on every listing in 21838.
Verleon AI overlays HUD Fair Market Rents on every active listing — in this ZIP and nationwide — so you see the Section 8 ceiling and the DSCR before you make an offer. Back to Maryland Section 8 rents or look up another ZIP.
Data source: HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rents (Small Area FMRs where published), snapshot 2026-08-19. Payment standards vary by public housing authority (typically 90–110% of FMR). Figures are for research and do not guarantee approved rent on any specific unit.