FY2027 Small Area FMR · Catawba, NC
ZIP 28609 Fair Market Rent & Payment Standards
HUD's FY2027 Small Area Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom home in ZIP code 28609 (Catawba, NC) is $1,520 a month, up 10.9% from FY2026. That is 33% above the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC area-wide FMR of $1,147.
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 28609 sits in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC area
Of the 43 ZIP codes HUD lists for the area, 28609 has the 4th 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 $1,520 for this ZIP code instead.
All unit sizes
| Unit | FY2027 SAFMR | Payment standard range | Area-wide FMR | FY2026 SAFMR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,270 | $1,143 – $1,397 | $961 | $1,070 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,280 | $1,152 – $1,408 | $965 | $1,140 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,520 | $1,368 – $1,672 | $1,147 | $1,370 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,850 | $1,665 – $2,035 | $1,399 | $1,720 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,260 | $2,034 – $2,486 | $1,707 | $2,080 |
A household renting a two-bedroom home at the Small Area FMR of $1,520 needs about $60,800 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 28609 lies mainly in Catawba County. See the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC 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 28609?
HUD's FY2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents for 28609 are $1,270 (studio), $1,280 (1 BR), $1,520 (2 BR), $1,850 (3 BR) and $2,260 (4 BR) a month.
What is the Section 8 payment standard in 28609?
Housing agencies set payment standards between 90% and 110% of the applicable FMR without HUD approval. For a two-bedroom unit in 28609 that range is $1,368 to $1,672 if the agency uses Small Area FMRs. Ask your housing agency for its actual payment standard.
Which income limits apply in 28609?
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.