Massachusetts premium ZIP codes, ranked
| # | ZIP | Location | Voucher rent (2BR) | Voucher rent (3BR) | Typical market rent | Premium | Basis | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 01432 | AyerMiddlesex County | $2,383 | $2,878 | $1,900 | +25% | County FMR | Analyze deal |
| 2 | 01719 | BoxboroMiddlesex County | $2,383 | $2,878 | $1,938 | +23% | County FMR | Analyze deal |
| 3 | 01082 | WareHampshire County | $2,034 | $2,663 | $1,750 | +16% | County FMR | Analyze deal |
| 4 | 01075 | South HadleyHampshire County | $2,034 | $2,663 | $1,753 | +16% | County FMR | Analyze deal |
| 5 | 01013 | ChicopeeHampden County | $1,800 | $2,241 | $1,557 | +16% | County FMR | Analyze deal |
| 6 | 01103 | SpringfieldHampden County | $1,800 | $2,241 | $1,565 | +15% | County FMR | Analyze deal |
| 7 | 02762 | PlainvilleNorfolk County | $2,409 | $3,015 | $2,111 | +14% | County FMR | Analyze deal |
| 8 | 02150 | ChelseaSuffolk County | $3,008 | $3,584 | $2,641 | +14% | County FMR | Analyze deal |
| 9 | 02346 | MiddleboroughPlymouth County | $2,409 | $3,015 | $2,122 | +14% | County FMR | Analyze deal |
| 10 | 02136 | BostonSuffolk County | $3,008 | $3,584 | $2,668 | +13% | County FMR | Analyze deal |
| 11 | 02152 | WinthropSuffolk County | $3,008 | $3,584 | $2,714 | +11% | County FMR | Analyze deal |
| 12 | 02370 | RocklandPlymouth County | $2,409 | $3,015 | $2,175 | +11% | County FMR | Analyze deal |
| 13 | 01089 | West SpringfieldHampden County | $1,800 | $2,241 | $1,648 | +9% | County FMR | Analyze deal |
| 14 | 01832 | HaverhillEssex County | $2,367 | $2,820 | $2,193 | +8% | County FMR | Analyze deal |
| 15 | 01904 | LynnEssex County | $2,367 | $2,820 | $2,200 | +8% | County FMR | Analyze deal |
| 16 | 02132 | BostonSuffolk County | $3,008 | $3,584 | $2,798 | +8% | County FMR | Analyze deal |
| 17 | 01901 | LynnEssex County | $2,367 | $2,820 | $2,203 | +7% | County FMR | Analyze deal |
| 18 | 01201 | PittsfieldBerkshire County | $1,704 | $2,231 | $1,592 | +7% | County FMR | Analyze deal |
| 19 | 01852 | LowellMiddlesex County | $2,383 | $2,878 | $2,234 | +7% | County FMR | Analyze deal |
| 20 | 02301 | BrocktonPlymouth County | $2,409 | $3,015 | $2,263 | +7% | County FMR | Analyze deal |
| 21 | 01850 | LowellMiddlesex County | $2,383 | $2,878 | $2,242 | +6% | County FMR | Analyze deal |
| 22 | 02151 | RevereSuffolk County | $3,008 | $3,584 | $2,830 | +6% | County FMR | Analyze deal |
| 23 | 01440 | GardnerWorcester County | $1,659 | $2,297 | $1,565 | +6% | County FMR | Analyze deal |
| 24 | 02744 | New BedfordBristol County | $1,668 | $1,987 | $1,582 | +5% | County FMR | Analyze deal |
| 25 | 01826 | DracutMiddlesex County | $2,383 | $2,878 | $2,271 | +5% | County FMR | Analyze deal |
| 26 | 01020 | ChicopeeHampden County | $1,800 | $2,241 | $1,736 | +4% | County FMR | Analyze deal |
| 27 | 01702 | FraminghamMiddlesex County | $2,383 | $2,878 | $2,302 | +4% | County FMR | Analyze deal |
| 28 | 01952 | SalisburyEssex County | $2,367 | $2,820 | $2,288 | +4% | County FMR | Analyze deal |
| 29 | 01902 | LynnEssex County | $2,367 | $2,820 | $2,295 | +3% | County FMR | Analyze deal |
| 30 | 01830 | HaverhillEssex County | $2,367 | $2,820 | $2,309 | +3% | County FMR | Analyze deal |
| 31 | 02188 | WeymouthNorfolk County | $2,409 | $3,015 | $2,355 | +2% | County FMR | Analyze deal |
| 32 | 01375 | SunderlandFranklin County | $1,882 | $2,242 | $1,845 | +2% | County FMR | Analyze deal |
| 33 | 01854 | LowellMiddlesex County | $2,383 | $2,878 | $2,352 | +1% | County FMR | Analyze deal |
| 34 | 02664 | YarmouthBarnstable County | $2,488 | $3,121 | $2,467 | +1% | County FMR | Analyze deal |
| 35 | 02131 | BostonSuffolk County | $3,008 | $3,584 | $2,991 | +1% | County FMR | Analyze deal |
| 36 | 01301 | GreenfieldFranklin County | $1,882 | $2,242 | $1,873 | +1% | County FMR | Analyze deal |
| 37 | 01040 | HolyokeHampden County | $1,800 | $2,241 | $1,796 | +0% | County FMR | Analyze deal |
| 38 | 02170 | QuincyNorfolk County | $2,409 | $3,015 | $2,407 | +0% | County FMR | Analyze deal |
Premium compares the 2-bedroom voucher rent to the ZIP's typical asking rent across all home sizes. Rent data provided by Zillow Research.
How these numbers are calculated
- Voucher rent is the HUD FY2027 2-bedroom Small Area Fair Market Rent (SAFMR) where it applies, otherwise the county or metro Fair Market Rent. This is the basis housing authorities use to set payment standards, typically 90 to 110 percent of it, and it is a gross rent that includes a utility allowance.
- Typical market rent is the Zillow Observed Rent Index (ZORI) for the ZIP code as of July 2026, a smoothed measure of asking rents across all home types and sizes. Rent data provided by Zillow Research.
- Premium compares the 2-bedroom voucher rent against that blended market figure, which is the conservative comparison. Premiums for 3 and 4 bedroom homes are often larger.
- The premium is a screening signal, not a guarantee. Housing authorities run a rent reasonableness review against unassisted comparables before approving any contract rent, and the payment standard is a ceiling, not an entitlement. Always verify with the local housing authority.
Sources: HUD Fair Market Rents and Zillow Research (ZORI). FMRs effective October 1 each year; ZORI updates monthly.
Frequently asked questions
- Which ZIP code in Massachusetts has the biggest Section 8 premium?
- 01432 (Ayer) currently shows the largest gap: the 2-bedroom voucher rent basis is $2,383 against a typical market rent of $1,900, a +25% premium.
- How many ZIP codes in Massachusetts pay above market rent?
- Of the 236 Massachusetts ZIP codes with both HUD and market rent data, 38 currently show a voucher rent basis above the typical asking rent.
- Can I actually charge the full amount shown here?
- Not automatically. The housing authority sets a payment standard between 90 and 110 percent of the FMR or SAFMR, and every lease passes a rent reasonableness review against comparable unassisted units. Treat the premium as a screening signal for where to look, then verify with the local housing authority.