FY2027 Small Area FMR · Reading, PA

ZIP 19603 Fair Market Rent & Payment Standards

HUD's FY2027 Small Area Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom home in ZIP code 19603 (Reading, PA) is $1,430 a month, down 9.5% from FY2026. That is 1% above the Reading, PA area-wide FMR of $1,418.

2-bedroom SAFMR$1,430per month ▼ 9.5%

Area-wide 2 BR FMR$1,418Reading, PA

Rank in the area33rdof 69 ZIP codes

Payment standard range, 2 bedrooms

90% of SAFMR$1,287

2 BR Small Area FMR$1,430

110% of SAFMR$1,573

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

Studio$990▼ 9.2%

1 BR$1,120▼ 9.7%

2 BR$1,430▼ 9.5%

3 BR$1,750▼ 9.8%

4 BR$1,900▼ 9.1%

FY2027 FY2026

Where 19603 sits in the Reading, PA area

Of the 69 ZIP codes HUD lists for the area, 19603 has the 33rd highest two-bedroom Small Area FMR. Reading, 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 $1,418 for two bedrooms; an agency that opts in to Small Area FMRs would use $1,430 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	$990	$891 – $1,089	$978	$1,090
1 bedroom	$1,120	$1,008 – $1,232	$1,114	$1,240
2 bedrooms	$1,430	$1,287 – $1,573	$1,418	$1,580
3 bedrooms	$1,750	$1,575 – $1,925	$1,744	$1,940
4 bedrooms	$1,900	$1,710 – $2,090	$1,877	$2,090

A household renting a two-bedroom home at the Small Area FMR of $1,430 needs about $57,200 a year to keep housing costs at 30% of income. The area median family income is $102,100 and the 80% low-income limit for four people is $81,700. ZIP code 19603 lies mainly in Berks County. See the Reading, PA county page for the full income limits table and the household check.

Nearby ZIP codes

ZIP	Place	Distance	2 BR SAFMR
19605	Reading	1.2 mi	$1,590
19601	Reading	2.5 mi	$1,420
19533	Leesport	3.0 mi	$1,420
19610	Reading	3.3 mi	$1,960
19604	Reading	3.5 mi	$1,420
19560	Temple	3.9 mi	$1,830

Questions

What is the Fair Market Rent for ZIP code 19603?

HUD's FY2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents for 19603 are $990 (studio), $1,120 (1 BR), $1,430 (2 BR), $1,750 (3 BR) and $1,900 (4 BR) a month.

What is the Section 8 payment standard in 19603?

Housing agencies set payment standards between 90% and 110% of the applicable FMR without HUD approval. For a two-bedroom unit in 19603 that range is $1,287 to $1,573 if the agency uses Small Area FMRs. Ask your housing agency for its actual payment standard.

Which income limits apply in 19603?

The FY2026 income limits of the Reading, PA area apply: median family income $102,100, low-income (80%) limit $81,700 for a family of four.