Massachusetts Fair Market Rent (FY2026)
Northeast region · 20 HUD FMR areas
In FY2026, Massachusetts has 20 HUD Fair Market Rent areas with a median 2-bedroom FMR of $2,067/month. Across the state, the 2-bedroom FMR ranges from $1,527 (New Bedford, MA) to $3,138 (Nantucket County, MA). That median is $1,092 above the national median FMR of $975, ranking Massachusetts #3 of 51 states (1 = most expensive). FMR is the federal voucher rent standard, not the market median.
Source: HUD USER, FY2026 Fair Market Rents (40th percentile, revised final). Data as of June 2026.
Massachusetts median FMR by bedroom size
| Unit size | Median FMR (per month) |
|---|---|
| Studio / efficiency | $1,463 |
| 1-bedroom | $1,592 |
| 2-bedroom | $2,067 |
| 3-bedroom | $2,555 |
| 4-bedroom | $2,846 |
These are medians across the state's areas; an individual metro can be much higher or lower. The population-weighted average 2-bedroom FMR (weighting each area by its population) is $2,495.
Every FMR area in Massachusetts
| FMR area | Studio | 1 BR | 2 BR | 3 BR | 4 BR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, MA-NH | $2,359 | $2,476 | $2,941 | $3,526 | $3,894 |
| Providence-Fall River, RI-MA | $1,318 | $1,402 | $1,729 | $2,087 | $2,480 |
Source: HUD USER, FY2026 Fair Market Rents (40th percentile, revised final). Data as of June 2026.
Detailed pages: Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, MA-NH · Providence-Fall River, RI-MA.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Fair Market Rent in Massachusetts for FY2026?
Massachusetts has 20 HUD Fair Market Rent areas. The median 2-bedroom FMR across them is $2,067 per month, ranging from $1,527 (New Bedford, MA) to $3,138 (Nantucket County, MA). HUD sets FMRs by metro/county, not statewide, so use the area closest to where you live. Verify at huduser.gov.
Which Massachusetts area has the highest and lowest FMR?
In FY2026 the highest 2-bedroom FMR in Massachusetts is $3,138 in Nantucket County, MA, and the lowest is $1,527 in New Bedford, MA. Rents are highest in the largest metros and lowest in rural counties.
Is Massachusetts expensive for renters compared with other states?
Massachusetts's median 2-bedroom FMR of $2,067 is $1,092 above the national median FMR of $975 (+112%). It ranks #3 of 51 states and DC by median 2-bedroom FMR (1 = most expensive).
How does FMR relate to Section 8 vouchers in Massachusetts?
Public housing agencies in Massachusetts set Housing Choice Voucher payment standards at roughly 90–110% of the local FMR. Your subsidy covers the gap between that standard and about 30% of your adjusted income. Contact the PHA for your county for exact figures.
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Source & accuracy
FY2026 Fair Market Rents, U.S. Dept. of Housing & Urban Development — HUD USER (public domain). State medians and ranges are computed over HUD's area-level FMRs (see methodology). FMR is the federal voucher rent standard, not the market median; verify on huduser.gov.
Last updated: 2026-06-20