Rent comparison · HUD FY2026

Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD MSA vs California-Lexington Park, MD MSA

How do Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD MSA and California-Lexington Park, MD MSA rents compare? A side-by-side FY 2026 HUD Fair Market Rent breakdown, studio through 4-bedroom.

$1,511
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD MSA (1BR)
$1,624
California-Lexington Park, MD MSA (1BR)
−7%
1BR difference

Side-by-side FY 2026 HUD Fair Market Rent comparison. Data from U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Metro
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD MSA
$1,511/mo 1BR
Population: 2,840,005
Metro
California-Lexington Park, MD MSA
$1,624/mo 1BR

A 1-bedroom in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD MSA is 7% cheaper than California-Lexington Park, MD MSA at the HUD Fair Market Rent level ($1,511 vs $1,624). Both figures are the 40th percentile of gross rents (utilities included, telephone excluded) set by HUD for the federal fiscal year 2026. Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher payment standards in each area are set between 90% and 110% of these FMR numbers. Source: HUD Fair Market Rents.

How Do Rents Compare By Bedroom?

Bedrooms Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD MSA California-Lexington Park, MD MSA Difference
Studio $1,362 $1,493 −$131 (-9%)
1 Bedroom $1,511 $1,624 −$113 (-7%)
2 Bedroom $1,857 $1,831 +$26 (+1%)
3 Bedroom $2,358 $2,285 +$73 (+3%)
4 Bedroom $2,611 $2,818 −$207 (-7%)

vs US National Average

National average 1BR: $959. Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD MSA is 58% above the US average. California-Lexington Park, MD MSA is 69% above.

Sources: HUD Fair Market Rents FY 2026. Population and median income from U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).