Massachusetts · FIPS 25027 · HUD FY 2027
Worcester County, Massachusetts Fair Market Rent
HUD’s FY 2027 Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom in Worcester County is $2,043 a month (rent plus utilities), 20% below the Massachusetts average of $2,566 and 16% above the U.S. average of $1,761. That is down $13 (0.6%) from FY 2026. At 30% of income, a household needs about $81,720 a year to afford it.
- $2,0432-bedroom FMR−$13 (−0.6%) vs FY 2026
- $1,5871-bedroom FMRMassachusetts: $2,087 · U.S.: $1,478
- $81,720Income for a 2-bedroom$39/hour full-time
- 8 of 142BR rank in Massachusetts1 = highest rent
| Unit | Worcester County FY 2027 | FY 2026 | Change | Massachusetts avg | U.S. avg | Income needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,577 | $1,588 | −$11 (−0.7%) | $1,994 | $1,379 | $63,080 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,587 | $1,599 | −$12 (−0.8%) | $2,087 | $1,478 | $63,480 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,043 | $2,056 | −$13 (−0.6%) | $2,566 | $1,761 | $81,720 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,560 | $2,548 | +$12 (+0.5%) | $3,111 | $2,266 | $102,400 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,915 | $2,825 | +$90 (+3.2%) | $3,453 | $2,607 | $116,600 |
How Worcester County compares
- HUD sets this rent for the Worcester, MA metro FMR area, which covers 587,434 residents in 1 county.
- In New England HUD sets rents by town. Worcester County has 60 towns in 4 FMR areas; the figures above are for Worcester, MA, home to 68% of residents. See the town table below.
- Across Massachusetts, 2-bedroom FMRs run from $1,704 (Berkshire County) to $3,583 (Nantucket County).
- Studio to 4-bedroom: $1,577, $1,587, $2,043, $2,560, $2,915. HUD derives the other sizes from the 2-bedroom figure with fixed ratios, adjusted where local data warrant.
- HUD also publishes ZIP-level Small Area FMRs. For the 60 ZIP codes mostly in Worcester County (by land area), the 2-bedroom figure ranges from $1,860 to $3,400.
Fair Market Rents by town in Worcester County
| Town | FMR area | Studio | 1BR | 2BR | 3BR | 4BR | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ashburnham town | Fitchburg-Leominster, MA | $1,323 | $1,571 | $1,900 | $2,419 | $2,828 | 6,415 |
| Athol town | Western Worcester County, MA | $1,280 | $1,288 | $1,659 | $2,297 | $2,773 | 12,011 |
| Auburn town | Worcester, MA | $1,577 | $1,587 | $2,043 | $2,560 | $2,915 | 16,970 |
| Barre town | Worcester, MA | $1,577 | $1,587 | $2,043 | $2,560 | $2,915 | 5,572 |
| Berlin town | Eastern Worcester County, MA | $1,740 | $1,910 | $2,499 | $3,424 | $3,736 | 3,378 |
| Blackstone town | Eastern Worcester County, MA | $1,740 | $1,910 | $2,499 | $3,424 | $3,736 | 9,255 |
| Bolton town | Eastern Worcester County, MA | $1,740 | $1,910 | $2,499 | $3,424 | $3,736 | 5,737 |
| Boylston town | Worcester, MA | $1,577 | $1,587 | $2,043 | $2,560 | $2,915 | 4,948 |
| Brookfield town | Worcester, MA | $1,577 | $1,587 | $2,043 | $2,560 | $2,915 | 3,460 |
| Charlton town | Worcester, MA | $1,577 | $1,587 | $2,043 | $2,560 | $2,915 | 13,435 |
| Clinton town | Worcester, MA | $1,577 | $1,587 | $2,043 | $2,560 | $2,915 | 15,563 |
| Douglas town | Worcester, MA | $1,577 | $1,587 | $2,043 | $2,560 | $2,915 | 9,207 |
| Dudley town | Worcester, MA | $1,577 | $1,587 | $2,043 | $2,560 | $2,915 | 11,929 |
| East Brookfield town | Worcester, MA | $1,577 | $1,587 | $2,043 | $2,560 | $2,915 | 2,166 |
| Fitchburg city | Fitchburg-Leominster, MA | $1,323 | $1,571 | $1,900 | $2,419 | $2,828 | 41,798 |
| Gardner city | Fitchburg-Leominster, MA | $1,323 | $1,571 | $1,900 | $2,419 | $2,828 | 21,148 |
| Grafton town | Worcester, MA | $1,577 | $1,587 | $2,043 | $2,560 | $2,915 | 19,902 |
| Hardwick town | Western Worcester County, MA | $1,280 | $1,288 | $1,659 | $2,297 | $2,773 | 2,684 |
| Harvard town | Eastern Worcester County, MA | $1,740 | $1,910 | $2,499 | $3,424 | $3,736 | 6,927 |
| Holden town | Worcester, MA | $1,577 | $1,587 | $2,043 | $2,560 | $2,915 | 20,064 |
| Hopedale town | Eastern Worcester County, MA | $1,740 | $1,910 | $2,499 | $3,424 | $3,736 | 6,027 |
| Hubbardston town | Western Worcester County, MA | $1,280 | $1,288 | $1,659 | $2,297 | $2,773 | 4,371 |
| Lancaster town | Eastern Worcester County, MA | $1,740 | $1,910 | $2,499 | $3,424 | $3,736 | 8,606 |
| Leicester town | Worcester, MA | $1,577 | $1,587 | $2,043 | $2,560 | $2,915 | 11,113 |
| Leominster city | Fitchburg-Leominster, MA | $1,323 | $1,571 | $1,900 | $2,419 | $2,828 | 43,909 |
| Lunenburg town | Fitchburg-Leominster, MA | $1,323 | $1,571 | $1,900 | $2,419 | $2,828 | 11,902 |
| Mendon town | Eastern Worcester County, MA | $1,740 | $1,910 | $2,499 | $3,424 | $3,736 | 6,325 |
| Milford town | Eastern Worcester County, MA | $1,740 | $1,910 | $2,499 | $3,424 | $3,736 | 30,431 |
| Millbury town | Worcester, MA | $1,577 | $1,587 | $2,043 | $2,560 | $2,915 | 13,961 |
| Millville town | Eastern Worcester County, MA | $1,740 | $1,910 | $2,499 | $3,424 | $3,736 | 3,160 |
| New Braintree town | Western Worcester County, MA | $1,280 | $1,288 | $1,659 | $2,297 | $2,773 | 973 |
| North Brookfield town | Worcester, MA | $1,577 | $1,587 | $2,043 | $2,560 | $2,915 | 4,760 |
| Northborough town | Worcester, MA | $1,577 | $1,587 | $2,043 | $2,560 | $2,915 | 15,750 |
| Northbridge town | Worcester, MA | $1,577 | $1,587 | $2,043 | $2,560 | $2,915 | 16,458 |
| Oakham town | Worcester, MA | $1,577 | $1,587 | $2,043 | $2,560 | $2,915 | 1,639 |
| Oxford town | Worcester, MA | $1,577 | $1,587 | $2,043 | $2,560 | $2,915 | 13,385 |
| Paxton town | Worcester, MA | $1,577 | $1,587 | $2,043 | $2,560 | $2,915 | 5,002 |
| Petersham town | Western Worcester County, MA | $1,280 | $1,288 | $1,659 | $2,297 | $2,773 | 1,185 |
| Phillipston town | Western Worcester County, MA | $1,280 | $1,288 | $1,659 | $2,297 | $2,773 | 1,895 |
| Princeton town | Worcester, MA | $1,577 | $1,587 | $2,043 | $2,560 | $2,915 | 3,529 |
| Royalston town | Western Worcester County, MA | $1,280 | $1,288 | $1,659 | $2,297 | $2,773 | 1,460 |
| Rutland town | Worcester, MA | $1,577 | $1,587 | $2,043 | $2,560 | $2,915 | 9,353 |
| Shrewsbury town | Worcester, MA | $1,577 | $1,587 | $2,043 | $2,560 | $2,915 | 38,876 |
| Southborough town | Eastern Worcester County, MA | $1,740 | $1,910 | $2,499 | $3,424 | $3,736 | 10,493 |
| Southbridge Town city | Worcester, MA | $1,577 | $1,587 | $2,043 | $2,560 | $2,915 | 17,928 |
| Spencer town | Worcester, MA | $1,577 | $1,587 | $2,043 | $2,560 | $2,915 | 12,008 |
| Sterling town | Worcester, MA | $1,577 | $1,587 | $2,043 | $2,560 | $2,915 | 8,183 |
| Sturbridge town | Worcester, MA | $1,577 | $1,587 | $2,043 | $2,560 | $2,915 | 9,960 |
| Sutton town | Worcester, MA | $1,577 | $1,587 | $2,043 | $2,560 | $2,915 | 9,452 |
| Templeton town | Fitchburg-Leominster, MA | $1,323 | $1,571 | $1,900 | $2,419 | $2,828 | 8,252 |
| Upton town | Eastern Worcester County, MA | $1,740 | $1,910 | $2,499 | $3,424 | $3,736 | 8,189 |
| Uxbridge town | Worcester, MA | $1,577 | $1,587 | $2,043 | $2,560 | $2,915 | 14,473 |
| Warren town | Western Worcester County, MA | $1,280 | $1,288 | $1,659 | $2,297 | $2,773 | 5,009 |
| Webster town | Worcester, MA | $1,577 | $1,587 | $2,043 | $2,560 | $2,915 | 17,748 |
| West Boylston town | Worcester, MA | $1,577 | $1,587 | $2,043 | $2,560 | $2,915 | 7,782 |
| West Brookfield town | Worcester, MA | $1,577 | $1,587 | $2,043 | $2,560 | $2,915 | 3,859 |
| Westborough town | Worcester, MA | $1,577 | $1,587 | $2,043 | $2,560 | $2,915 | 21,944 |
| Westminster town | Fitchburg-Leominster, MA | $1,323 | $1,571 | $1,900 | $2,419 | $2,828 | 8,374 |
| Winchendon town | Fitchburg-Leominster, MA | $1,323 | $1,571 | $1,900 | $2,419 | $2,828 | 10,440 |
| Worcester city | Worcester, MA | $1,577 | $1,587 | $2,043 | $2,560 | $2,915 | 207,055 |
Small Area FMRs by ZIP code in Worcester County
| ZIP | Studio | 1BR | 2BR | 3BR | 4BR | 2BR vs FY 2026 | 2BR vs area FMR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01005 | $1,430 | $1,440 | $1,860 | $2,340 | $2,760 | +$120 (+6.9%) | 9% below |
| 01068 | $1,430 | $1,440 | $1,860 | $2,300 | $2,550 | −$70 (−3.6%) | 9% below |
| 01074 | $1,430 | $1,440 | $1,860 | $2,300 | $2,550 | +$190 (+11.4%) | 9% below |
| 01452 | $1,430 | $1,440 | $1,860 | $2,300 | $2,740 | +$190 (+11.4%) | 9% below |
| 01453 | $1,430 | $1,670 | $2,020 | $2,570 | $3,010 | +$170 (+9.2%) | 1% below |
| 01501 | $1,430 | $1,440 | $1,860 | $2,300 | $2,550 | +$60 (+3.3%) | 9% below |
| 01503 | $2,130 | $2,230 | $2,840 | $3,890 | $4,250 | +$280 (+10.9%) | 39% above |
| 01505 | $1,970 | $1,980 | $2,550 | $3,190 | $3,640 | +$30 (+1.2%) | 25% above |
| 01506 | $1,430 | $1,440 | $1,860 | $2,300 | $2,550 | +$190 (+11.4%) | 9% below |
| 01507 | $1,430 | $1,440 | $1,860 | $2,300 | $2,550 | +$50 (+2.8%) | 9% below |
| 01510 | $1,480 | $1,490 | $1,950 | $2,720 | $3,050 | −$40 (−2.0%) | 5% below |
| 01515 | $1,430 | $1,440 | $1,860 | $2,300 | $2,550 | +$190 (+11.4%) | 9% below |
| 01516 | $1,640 | $1,650 | $2,120 | $2,660 | $3,030 | −$30 (−1.4%) | 4% above |
| 01518 | $1,430 | $1,440 | $1,860 | $2,300 | $2,550 | −$120 (−6.1%) | 9% below |
| 01519 | $2,170 | $2,180 | $2,810 | $3,520 | $4,010 | −$160 (−5.4%) | 38% above |
| 01520 | $1,880 | $1,890 | $2,430 | $3,040 | $3,470 | −$20 (−0.8%) | 19% above |
| 01522 | $1,600 | $1,610 | $2,070 | $2,590 | $2,950 | no change | 1% above |
| 01523 | $2,220 | $2,440 | $3,190 | $4,370 | $4,770 | +$460 (+16.8%) | 56% above |
| 01524 | $1,430 | $1,440 | $1,860 | $2,300 | $2,550 | +$190 (+11.4%) | 9% below |
| 01525 | $1,530 | $1,540 | $1,980 | $2,480 | $2,830 | −$10 (−0.5%) | 3% below |
| 01527 | $1,610 | $1,620 | $2,090 | $2,620 | $2,980 | +$10 (+0.5%) | 2% above |
| 01531 | $1,550 | $1,560 | $2,010 | $2,780 | $3,360 | +$340 (+20.4%) | 2% below |
| 01532 | $2,190 | $2,210 | $2,840 | $3,560 | $4,050 | −$240 (−7.8%) | 39% above |
| 01534 | $1,430 | $1,490 | $1,950 | $2,720 | $3,050 | +$100 (+5.4%) | 5% below |
| 01535 | $1,430 | $1,440 | $1,860 | $2,300 | $2,550 | +$190 (+11.4%) | 9% below |
| 01536 | $1,510 | $1,510 | $1,950 | $2,440 | $2,780 | −$110 (−5.3%) | 5% below |
| 01537 | $1,430 | $1,440 | $1,860 | $2,300 | $2,550 | +$110 (+6.3%) | 9% below |
| 01540 | $1,430 | $1,440 | $1,860 | $2,300 | $2,550 | +$180 (+10.7%) | 9% below |
| 01541 | $1,610 | $1,620 | $2,090 | $2,620 | $2,980 | +$170 (+8.9%) | 2% above |
| 01542 | $1,570 | $1,580 | $2,040 | $2,560 | $2,910 | −$130 (−6.0%) | about the same as |
| 01543 | $1,430 | $1,440 | $1,860 | $2,300 | $2,550 | +$190 (+11.4%) | 9% below |
| 01545 | $2,150 | $2,160 | $2,780 | $3,480 | $3,970 | −$20 (−0.7%) | 36% above |
| 01550 | $1,430 | $1,440 | $1,860 | $2,300 | $2,550 | +$130 (+7.5%) | 9% below |
| 01560 | $1,430 | $1,440 | $1,860 | $2,320 | $2,640 | −$10 (−0.5%) | 9% below |
| 01562 | $1,430 | $1,440 | $1,860 | $2,300 | $2,550 | +$190 (+11.4%) | 9% below |
| 01564 | $1,630 | $1,640 | $2,110 | $2,640 | $3,010 | +$20 (+1.0%) | 3% above |
| 01566 | $1,820 | $1,830 | $2,360 | $2,960 | $3,370 | +$60 (+2.6%) | 16% above |
| 01568 | $1,960 | $2,030 | $2,590 | $3,300 | $3,690 | +$500 (+23.9%) | 27% above |
| 01569 | $1,660 | $1,670 | $2,150 | $2,720 | $3,070 | −$20 (−0.9%) | 5% above |
| 01570 | $1,430 | $1,440 | $1,860 | $2,300 | $2,550 | +$190 (+11.4%) | 9% below |
| 01571 | $1,430 | $1,440 | $1,860 | $2,300 | $2,550 | +$160 (+9.4%) | 9% below |
| 01581 | $2,170 | $2,180 | $2,810 | $3,520 | $4,010 | −$70 (−2.4%) | 38% above |
| 01583 | $1,430 | $1,440 | $1,860 | $2,320 | $2,640 | −$60 (−3.1%) | 9% below |
| 01585 | $1,430 | $1,440 | $1,860 | $2,300 | $2,550 | +$190 (+11.4%) | 9% below |
| 01588 | $1,430 | $1,440 | $1,860 | $2,300 | $2,550 | +$110 (+6.3%) | 9% below |
| 01590 | $1,580 | $1,590 | $2,050 | $2,570 | $2,930 | −$20 (−1.0%) | about the same as |
| 01602 | $1,740 | $1,750 | $2,250 | $2,820 | $3,210 | +$10 (+0.4%) | 10% above |
| 01603 | $1,520 | $1,530 | $1,970 | $2,470 | $2,810 | +$20 (+1.0%) | 4% below |
| 01604 | $1,730 | $1,740 | $2,240 | $2,810 | $3,200 | −$10 (−0.4%) | 10% above |
| 01605 | $1,650 | $1,660 | $2,140 | $2,680 | $3,050 | +$10 (+0.5%) | 5% above |
| 01606 | $1,690 | $1,700 | $2,190 | $2,740 | $3,130 | −$30 (−1.4%) | 7% above |
| 01607 | $1,610 | $1,620 | $2,080 | $2,610 | $2,970 | +$30 (+1.5%) | 2% above |
| 01608 | $1,630 | $1,640 | $2,110 | $2,640 | $3,010 | −$70 (−3.2%) | 3% above |
| 01609 | $1,440 | $1,450 | $1,870 | $2,340 | $2,670 | −$60 (−3.1%) | 8% below |
| 01610 | $1,560 | $1,570 | $2,020 | $2,530 | $2,880 | +$50 (+2.5%) | 1% below |
| 01611 | $1,430 | $1,440 | $1,860 | $2,300 | $2,550 | +$190 (+11.4%) | 9% below |
| 01612 | $1,430 | $1,440 | $1,860 | $2,300 | $2,550 | +$60 (+3.3%) | 9% below |
| 01740 | $1,970 | $2,100 | $2,660 | $3,480 | $3,820 | +$450 (+20.4%) | 30% above |
| 01756 | $2,130 | $2,230 | $2,920 | $4,000 | $4,370 | +$280 (+10.6%) | 43% above |
| 01772 | $2,370 | $2,600 | $3,400 | $4,660 | $5,080 | +$420 (+14.1%) | 66% above |
Sources
- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, HUD User Fair Market Rents: FY 2027 FMRs (file dated August 26, 2026) and FY 2026 FMRs (file dated April 21, 2026).
- HUD User Small Area Fair Market Rents: FY 2027 SAFMRs (file dated August 31, 2026) and FY 2026 SAFMRs (file dated April 21, 2026).
- ZIP-to-county assignment: Census Bureau 2020 ZCTA-to-county relationship file (file dated December 9, 2021), largest land-area overlap.
Fair Market Rents are HUD’s estimate of gross rent (rent plus utilities) for a modest unit, set at the 40th percentile of recent-mover rents. FY 2027 is HUD’s fiscal year beginning October 1, 2026. Housing authorities set voucher payment standards from these figures; check yours.