Quick answer · Renting with a voucher
Look for apartments whose rent is at or under your housing agency’s payment standard for that ZIP code and bedroom size, then return the Request for Tenancy Approval to your leasing officer so the agency can inspect the unit and check that the rent is reasonable. With a Boston Housing Authority voucher you have 120 days to find an approved apartment, and its 2026 payment standard for a two-bedroom runs from $2,827 in Dorchester (02124) to $4,452 in the Financial District (02110). In Massachusetts a landlord may not turn you down because you have a voucher.
General information, not legal advice. Payment standards and program rules change; check with your housing agency. Last checked: November 3, 2026.
A payment standard is the most a housing agency can pay toward a unit’s rent for a voucher of a given size, and it changes by location. The Boston Housing Authority sets its standards by ZIP code and bedroom size, based on HUD’s Metropolitan Area and Small Area Fair Market Rents. The current ones took effect January 1, 2026.
| Area | ZIP | 1 bedroom | 2 bedrooms | 3 bedrooms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allston | 02134 | $2,652 | $3,150 | $3,777 |
| Brighton | 02135 | $2,757 | $3,270 | $3,924 |
| Dorchester | 02124 | $2,381 | $2,827 | $3,390 |
| East Boston | 02128 | $2,381 | $2,827 | $3,390 |
| Fenway | 02115 | $2,674 | $3,175 | $3,807 |
| Hyde Park | 02136 | $2,500 | $2,969 | $3,560 |
| Jamaica Plain | 02130 | $2,736 | $3,250 | $3,899 |
| Roslindale | 02131 | $2,500 | $2,969 | $3,560 |
| South Boston | 02127 | $3,031 | $3,600 | $4,313 |
| Financial District | 02110 | $3,746 | $4,452 | $5,341 |
| Brookline | 02446 | $3,760 | $4,463 | $5,356 |
| Cambridge | 02139 | $3,539 | $4,200 | $5,040 |
| Somerville | 02143 | $3,067 | $3,644 | $4,369 |
| Quincy | 02169 | $2,601 | $3,089 | $3,704 |
| Malden | 02148 | $2,679 | $3,182 | $3,815 |
| Medford | 02155 | $2,353 | $2,794 | $3,350 |
A standard is a ceiling, not a price BHA says payment standards “are not suggested contract rents”, and the state notes that a rent under the standard may still not be approved: the agency must find the rent reasonable for that unit. Housing agencies also publish utility allowances, so ask your leasing officer how they count for an apartment where you pay utilities.
MRVP, AHVP and the state’s own Section 8 vouchers use the payment standards in EOHLC’s “Find my payment standard” lookup, by ZIP code and bedroom size. If your voucher came from a local housing authority, use that authority’s standards instead.
Official sources
We compared every rental on our site on November 3, 2026 with BHA’s 2026 payment standard for its ZIP code and bedroom count (studio to four bedrooms). In Boston, 1,427 of 3,343 rentals (43%) asked a rent at or under the standard. Across Boston and the nearby cities on BHA’s chart that we checked, it was 2,860 of 5,652 (51%).
That’s asking rent before utilities, and before the agency’s rent-reasonableness check, so treat it as a starting list, not an approval. On our rentals search, set the maximum rent to your payment standard and the bedrooms to your voucher size.
Official sources
Official sources
Massachusetts law makes it unlawful for anyone who rents housing to discriminate against a tenant who receives federal, state or local housing subsidies, including rental assistance, or because of any requirement of the subsidy program. Ads may not state a preference against people who receive public assistance either.
If a landlord or agent refuses your voucher, you can file a complaint with the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD) or the Attorney General’s Civil Rights Division (617-963-2917).
Official sources
Our rentals search shows rent, bedrooms and ZIP code on every listing, so you can compare it with your payment standard before you call. Ask for a tour from any listing and tell us your voucher size and which agency issued it. Our housing authority pages list each Massachusetts authority’s offices, waitlists and HUD income limits.
The Boston Housing Authority sets it by ZIP code and bedroom size. For a two-bedroom, its standards effective January 1, 2026 run from $2,827 in ZIP codes such as 02124 (Dorchester) and 02128 (East Boston) to $4,452 in 02110 (Financial District).
BHA says you have 120 days to find an approved apartment.
No. Massachusetts law (M.G.L. c.151B §4, clause 10) makes it unlawful to discriminate against a tenant who receives rental assistance or a housing subsidy. You can complain to the MCAD or the Attorney General’s Civil Rights Division.
At least 30% of your net monthly income, according to the state. The voucher covers the rest up to the payment standard for your voucher size and ZIP code.
In EOHLC’s “Find my payment standard” tool on Mass.gov, which covers MRVP, AHVP and EOHLC’s Section 8 vouchers by ZIP code and bedroom size.
Call or email and a Benjamin Realty agent will get back to you.
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