Guides
Guides to Fair Market Rents and Income Limits
Short explanations of what HUD's numbers mean and how they are used.
What Is Fair Market Rent? HUD FMRs ExplainedHow HUD calculates Fair Market Rents, what they include and how housing agencies use them for vouchers.Area Median Income (AMI) and Income Limits ExplainedWhat HUD's median family income and the 30%, 50%, 60% and 80% income limits mean, and which programs use them.Small Area FMRs and Section 8 Payment StandardsHow ZIP-code Small Area Fair Market Rents work, where they are mandatory, and how payment standards are set.FY2027 Fair Market Rent Changes: What MovedHow HUD's FY2027 Fair Market Rents changed from FY2026 across U.S. counties, with the biggest increases.