Fair Market Rents: Howard County, MD (FY2026)
HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rents for Howard County set the ceiling for what Housing Choice Vouchers pay locally. FMR equals the estimated 40th-percentile gross rent — shelter plus utilities — for modest, non-luxury units.
| Unit size | FY2026 FMR | MD median* |
|---|---|---|
| Studio (0-BR) | $1,362/mo | $1,362 (0%) |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,511/mo | $1,511 (0%) |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,857/mo | $1,857 (0%) |
| 3 Bedrooms | $2,358/mo | $2,358 (0%) |
| 4+ Bedrooms | $2,611/mo | $2,611 (0%) |
*Median across all FMR-publishing counties in MD. Source: HUD FY2026 FMR schedule.
Using FMR as a voucher holder in Howard County
- Your housing authority sets payment standards per bedroom, typically 90–110% of these figures. How payment standards work →
- You may rent above the standard by paying the difference, subject to a 40%-of-income cap at lease-up.
- In high-cost pockets, ask about exception standards or Small Area FMRs by ZIP code.
Subsidized housing in Howard County
We track 44 assisted properties countywide:
| City | Properties | Assisted units |
|---|---|---|
| Columbia | 32 | 2,272 |
| Elkridge | 6 | 530 |
| Ellicott City | 7 | 617 |