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Section 8 Fair Market Rent Lookup by City and Bedroom Count

2025 HUD Fair Market Rent data for 10 major investor markets. Search by city to see what the voucher payment standard covers for each unit size.

Data source: HUD FY2025 Fair Market Rents. Values represent the 40th percentile gross rent including utilities. Individual PHAs set payment standards at 90–110% of FMR. Verify with your local housing authority before making investment decisions.
City / Metro Studio (0BR) 1 Bedroom 2 Bedroom 3 Bedroom 4 Bedroom
Birmingham, AL $768$872$1,048$1,344$1,584
Indianapolis, IN $891$977$1,210$1,596$1,892
Memphis, TN $797$912$1,096$1,432$1,680
Cleveland, OH $752$866$1,092$1,408$1,636
Jacksonville, FL $1,012$1,148$1,416$1,888$2,224
Atlanta, GA $1,124$1,284$1,572$2,052$2,388
Houston, TX $956$1,124$1,364$1,788$2,096
St. Louis, MO $796$912$1,100$1,436$1,672
Kansas City, MO $872$992$1,236$1,620$1,892
Detroit, MI $784$888$1,076$1,404$1,640
How FMR works for landlords

What FMR sets

FMR is the 40th percentile of gross rents in a metro area. Housing authorities use it to set their payment standard — typically 90–110% of FMR — which is the maximum subsidy they will pay.

What you can charge

You can set your rent at or above FMR, but the PHA only pays its payment standard. Any amount above the payment standard comes out of the tenant's pocket. Most PHAs require rents to be "reasonable" versus unassisted units.

Utility allowances

FMR is a gross rent figure that includes utilities. If your tenant pays utilities, the PHA subtracts a utility allowance from the payment standard before calculating your subsidy. If you pay utilities, you get the full amount.

Annual updates

HUD publishes new FMRs each August or September, effective October 1. In rising rent markets, FMR can lag 12–18 months behind actual rents. In falling markets, it can provide a floor above what market-rate tenants pay.

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Frequently asked questions
What is Fair Market Rent (FMR)?
Fair Market Rent is the amount HUD determines to be the 40th percentile of gross rents for standard quality units in a metropolitan area. It is used to set the payment standard for Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) subsidies.
How does HUD set Fair Market Rents?
HUD uses American Community Survey data and supplemental rent surveys to calculate the 40th percentile rent for each bedroom size in each metropolitan area. FMRs are published annually each October.
Can a landlord charge above Fair Market Rent for Section 8?
Yes, but the housing authority only pays up to its payment standard (90–110% of FMR). Any rent above the payment standard comes from the tenant. Most PHAs also require rents to be comparable to unassisted units in the same area.
How often does HUD update Fair Market Rents?
HUD publishes new FMRs annually, typically in August or September, effective October 1 of each year. In rapidly changing markets, FMR can lag actual rents by 12–18 months, since it is based on prior-year survey data.