FY2027 Small Area FMR · Hickory, NC

ZIP 28601 Fair Market Rent & Payment Standards

HUD's FY2027 Small Area Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom home in ZIP code 28601 (Hickory, NC) is $1,320 a month, up 4.8% from FY2026. That is 15% above the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC area-wide FMR of $1,147.

2-bedroom SAFMR$1,320per month ▲ 4.8%

Area-wide 2 BR FMR$1,147Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC

Rank in the area6thof 43 ZIP codes

Payment standard range, 2 bedrooms

90% of SAFMR$1,188

2 BR Small Area FMR$1,320

110% of SAFMR$1,452

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

Studio$1,110▲ 12.1%

1 BR$1,110▲ 6.7%

2 BR$1,320▲ 4.8%

3 BR$1,610▲ 1.9%

4 BR$1,960▲ 2.6%

FY2027 FY2026

Where 28601 sits in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC area

Of the 43 ZIP codes HUD lists for the area, 28601 has the 6th highest two-bedroom Small Area FMR. Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC 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 $1,147 for two bedrooms; an agency that opts in to Small Area FMRs would use $1,320 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	$1,110	$999 – $1,221	$961	$990
1 bedroom	$1,110	$999 – $1,221	$965	$1,040
2 bedrooms	$1,320	$1,188 – $1,452	$1,147	$1,260
3 bedrooms	$1,610	$1,449 – $1,771	$1,399	$1,580
4 bedrooms	$1,960	$1,764 – $2,156	$1,707	$1,910

A household renting a two-bedroom home at the Small Area FMR of $1,320 needs about $52,800 a year to keep housing costs at 30% of income. The area median family income is $85,200 and the 80% low-income limit for four people is $68,150. ZIP code 28601 lies mainly in Catawba County, Burke County and Alexander County. See the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro page for the full income limits table and the household check.

Nearby ZIP codes

ZIP	Place	Distance	2 BR SAFMR
28667	Rhodhiss	5.7 mi	$1,080
28637	Hildebran	6.4 mi	$1,010
28630	Granite Falls	6.7 mi	$1,130
28613	Conover	7.1 mi	$1,130
28602	Hickory	7.9 mi	$1,250
28666	Icard	8.7 mi	$1,160

Questions

What is the Fair Market Rent for ZIP code 28601?

HUD's FY2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents for 28601 are $1,110 (studio), $1,110 (1 BR), $1,320 (2 BR), $1,610 (3 BR) and $1,960 (4 BR) a month.

What is the Section 8 payment standard in 28601?

Housing agencies set payment standards between 90% and 110% of the applicable FMR without HUD approval. For a two-bedroom unit in 28601 that range is $1,188 to $1,452 if the agency uses Small Area FMRs. Ask your housing agency for its actual payment standard.

Which income limits apply in 28601?

The FY2026 income limits of the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC area apply: median family income $85,200, low-income (80%) limit $68,150 for a family of four.