FY2027 Small Area FMR · Luzerne, PA

ZIP 18709 Fair Market Rent & Payment Standards

HUD's FY2027 Small Area Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom home in ZIP code 18709 (Luzerne, PA) is $1,150 a month, up 11.7% from FY2026. That is 16% below the Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA area-wide FMR of $1,363.

2-bedroom SAFMR$1,150per month ▲ 11.7%

Area-wide 2 BR FMR$1,363Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA

Rank in the area90thof 97 ZIP codes

Payment standard range, 2 bedrooms

90% of SAFMR$1,035

2 BR Small Area FMR$1,150

110% of SAFMR$1,265

Housing agencies may set voucher payment standards anywhere from 90% to 110% of the FMR without asking HUD.

Studio$800▲ 12.7%

1 BR$930▲ 9.4%

2 BR$1,150▲ 11.7%

3 BR$1,510▲ 12.7%

4 BR$1,660▲ 14.5%

FY2027 FY2026

Where 18709 sits in the Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA area

Of the 97 ZIP codes HUD lists for the area, 18709 has the 90th highest two-bedroom Small Area FMR. Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA is not on HUD's list of mandatory Small Area FMR areas, so voucher payment standards here are normally based on the area-wide FMR of $1,363 for two bedrooms; an agency that opts in to Small Area FMRs would use $1,150 for this ZIP code instead.

All unit sizes

Monthly gross rent including utilities
Unit	FY2027 SAFMR	Payment standard range	Area-wide FMR	FY2026 SAFMR
Studio	$800	$720 – $880	$949	$710
1 bedroom	$930	$837 – $1,023	$1,106	$850
2 bedrooms	$1,150	$1,035 – $1,265	$1,363	$1,030
3 bedrooms	$1,510	$1,359 – $1,661	$1,786	$1,340
4 bedrooms	$1,660	$1,494 – $1,826	$1,962	$1,450

A household renting a two-bedroom home at the Small Area FMR of $1,150 needs about $46,000 a year to keep housing costs at 30% of income. The area median family income is $92,400 and the 80% low-income limit for four people is $73,600. ZIP code 18709 lies mainly in Luzerne County. See the Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA metro page for the full income limits table and the household check.

Nearby ZIP codes

ZIP	Place	Distance	2 BR SAFMR
18704	Kingston	1.8 mi	$1,420
18705	Wilkes Barre	2.9 mi	$1,360
18701	Wilkes Barre	3.0 mi	$1,130
18644	Wyoming	3.0 mi	$1,280
18708	Shavertown	3.5 mi	$1,480
18651	Plymouth	3.9 mi	$1,260

Questions

What is the Fair Market Rent for ZIP code 18709?

HUD's FY2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents for 18709 are $800 (studio), $930 (1 BR), $1,150 (2 BR), $1,510 (3 BR) and $1,660 (4 BR) a month.

What is the Section 8 payment standard in 18709?

Housing agencies set payment standards between 90% and 110% of the applicable FMR without HUD approval. For a two-bedroom unit in 18709 that range is $1,035 to $1,265 if the agency uses Small Area FMRs. Ask your housing agency for its actual payment standard.

Which income limits apply in 18709?

The FY2026 income limits of the Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA area apply: median family income $92,400, low-income (80%) limit $73,600 for a family of four.