Free Fair Market Rent Calculator
Enter a ZIP code to see HUD Fair Market Rent by bedroom count. Add household size to see income eligibility limits.
Optional · used for income tier preview
Why RentsPaid?
Trusted HUD data
FMR figures come directly from HUD's published datasets — the same source PHAs use to set voucher payment standards.
Always current
Our data updates with each HUD annual FMR publication so you're always looking at the right year's figures.
Built for Section 8
Designed specifically for Housing Choice Voucher participants — landlords, tenants, and housing authorities.
Frequently asked questions
- What is Fair Market Rent (FMR)?
- Fair Market Rent is the amount HUD estimates covers rent and basic utilities for a modestly priced unit in a given area. HUD publishes FMRs annually; they're used to set payment standards for Section 8 / Housing Choice Voucher contracts.
- How does HUD set FMR?
- HUD uses American Community Survey data and local rental market surveys to estimate the 40th percentile gross rent for standard-quality units in each metropolitan area or non-metropolitan county.
- Is this calculator only for Section 8?
- The calculator shows HUD FMR data, which is primarily used in the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) program. Landlords use it to check rent reasonableness; tenants use it to understand what PHAs are likely to approve.
- How often is FMR updated?
- HUD publishes new FMR figures each federal fiscal year (beginning October 1). This calculator reflects the most recent published FMRs. Some areas use Small Area FMRs (SAFMR) set at the ZIP code level — these are also included.
- Why might my ZIP show multiple areas?
- Some ZIP codes cross multiple HUD Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) or county boundaries. When this happens, we show all matching HUD areas so you can select the one that applies to your property. We never silently pick one for you.
- What does household size affect?
- Household size determines income eligibility limits under the HCV program. When you enter a household size, the calculator adds income tier thresholds (Extremely Low Income, Very Low Income, Low Income) for the selected area.