FY2027 Small Area FMR · Lowell, NC
ZIP 28098 Fair Market Rent & Payment Standards
HUD's FY2027 Small Area Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom home in ZIP code 28098 (Lowell, NC) is $1,610 a month, up 13.4% from FY2026. That is 10% below the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC area-wide FMR of $1,785.
Payment standard range, 2 bedrooms
Housing agencies may set voucher payment standards anywhere from 90% to 110% of the FMR without asking HUD.
FY2027 FY2026
Where 28098 sits in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC area
Of the 129 ZIP codes HUD lists for the area, 28098 has the 79th highest two-bedroom Small Area FMR. Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC is one of the 65 metro areas where HUD requires Small Area FMRs for the Housing Choice Voucher program (designated 2016), so local housing agencies must set payment standards from this ZIP code's figure, normally between $1,449 and $1,771 for two bedrooms.
All unit sizes
| Unit | FY2027 SAFMR | Payment standard range | Area-wide FMR | FY2026 SAFMR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,420 | $1,278 – $1,562 | $1,574 | $1,240 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,480 | $1,332 – $1,628 | $1,640 | $1,300 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,610 | $1,449 – $1,771 | $1,785 | $1,420 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,970 | $1,773 – $2,167 | $2,179 | $1,750 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,500 | $2,250 – $2,750 | $2,773 | $2,220 |
A household renting a two-bedroom home at the Small Area FMR of $1,610 needs about $64,400 a year to keep housing costs at 30% of income. The area median family income is $117,400 and the 80% low-income limit for four people is $93,900. ZIP code 28098 lies mainly in Gaston County. See the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro page for the full income limits table and the household check.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions
What is the Fair Market Rent for ZIP code 28098?
HUD's FY2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents for 28098 are $1,420 (studio), $1,480 (1 BR), $1,610 (2 BR), $1,970 (3 BR) and $2,500 (4 BR) a month.
What is the Section 8 payment standard in 28098?
Housing agencies set payment standards between 90% and 110% of the applicable FMR without HUD approval. For a two-bedroom unit in 28098 that range is $1,449 to $1,771 if the agency uses Small Area FMRs. Ask your housing agency for its actual payment standard.
Which income limits apply in 28098?
The FY2026 income limits of the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC area apply: median family income $117,400, low-income (80%) limit $93,900 for a family of four.