Section 8 Rent Calculator by ZIP Code

ZIP Code (optional)

State

Covers all 50 US states.

Bedroom Count

Adjusted Monthly Income (optional)

Section 8 tenants typically pay about 30% of adjusted income toward rent. We estimate your share and the housing authority portion.

Select a state to begin

Choose any of the 50 US states above to see 2026 estimated HUD Fair Market Rent amounts by bedroom count. ZIP code is optional and adds a regional hint.

How These Numbers Work

Fair Market Rent (FMR) is the HUD-set benchmark used to cap the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher rent subsidy. FMRs are the 40th percentile of gross rents for standard-quality units in a given area.

Tenant share under Section 8 is typically the greater of 30% of adjusted monthly income, 10% of gross income, or a $50 minimum. This tool uses the common 30% rule for its estimate.

Housing authority portion = FMR − tenant share (capped at the payment standard your PHA sets, which may be 90%–110% of the published FMR).

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What is Section 8 Rent Calculator by ZIP Code?

The Section 8 Rent Calculator by ZIP Code is a free tool that shows estimated 2026 HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) amounts for every US state and bedroom count, with an optional ZIP code field for regional context. Fair Market Rent is the benchmark HUD publishes annually for each metropolitan and non-metropolitan area. It represents the 40th percentile of gross rents (rent plus utilities) for standard-quality rental units of a given bedroom size in that area. Local Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) use the FMR as the basis for their payment standard — the maximum monthly rent the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program will subsidize — and may set that standard anywhere from 90% to 110% of the published FMR. This calculator provides state-wide average FMR estimates for 2026 across all 50 states and five bedroom categories (Studio, 1 BR, 2 BR, 3 BR, 4 BR). Enter an optional ZIP code for a regional hint, select your state, pick a bedroom count, and optionally add your adjusted monthly income to estimate your tenant share (about 30% of income) and the portion your housing authority would cover. Important: These figures are state-wide estimates based on HUD FMR trends. Actual Section 8 payment standards vary by county, metropolitan area, and PHA. Always confirm the official number for your exact ZIP code with your local housing authority or the HUD FMR documentation.

How to Use This Tool

1
Optionally enter your 5-digit ZIP code for a regional hint — this helps identify the general area but is not a substitute for your local PHA's payment standard.
2
Select your state from the dropdown covering all 50 US states.
3
Choose your bedroom count: Studio, 1, 2, 3, or 4 bedrooms.
4
View the estimated 2026 Fair Market Rent for that state and bedroom size, along with a full bedroom-by-bedroom breakdown.
5
Optionally enter your adjusted monthly income to estimate your tenant share (~30%) and the housing authority's portion.
6
Confirm the exact payment standard with your local Public Housing Agency before signing a lease.

Real-World Use Cases

Voucher Holder Comparing Counties

A Section 8 voucher holder in Texas is considering moves between Houston, Austin, and a rural county. By selecting Texas and toggling bedroom counts, they can compare state-wide average FMRs and get a sense of how generous their voucher may be in different markets — then verify the exact local number with each PHA.

Landlord Evaluating a Section 8 Tenant

A landlord deciding whether to accept a Section 8 voucher for a 2-bedroom unit can look up the state-wide FMR estimate, compare it to their market rent, and understand the rough ceiling the housing authority will subsidize. The income-based tenant-share estimate helps forecast the tenant's out-of-pocket portion.

Housing Counselor Pre-Advising an Applicant

A non-profit housing counselor walks a client through what to expect before they apply. Entering the client's state and income produces an illustrative tenant share and housing-authority portion, setting realistic expectations about what Section 8 will and will not cover in their area.

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