FY2027 Small Area FMR · Whitehall, MI

ZIP 49461 Fair Market Rent & Payment Standards

HUD's FY2027 Small Area Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom home in ZIP code 49461 (Whitehall, MI) is $1,200 a month, up 6.2% from FY2026. That is 7% below the Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI area-wide FMR of $1,285.

2-bedroom SAFMR$1,200per month ▲ 6.2%

Area-wide 2 BR FMR$1,285Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI

Rank in the area16thof 21 ZIP codes

Payment standard range, 2 bedrooms

90% of SAFMR$1,080

2 BR Small Area FMR$1,200

110% of SAFMR$1,320

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

Studio$870▲ 10.1%

1 BR$920▲ 7.0%

2 BR$1,200▲ 6.2%

3 BR$1,430▲ 5.1%

4 BR$1,580▲ 5.3%

FY2027 FY2026

Where 49461 sits in the Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI area

Of the 21 ZIP codes HUD lists for the area, 49461 has the 16th highest two-bedroom Small Area FMR. Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI 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 $1,285 for two bedrooms; an agency that opts in to Small Area FMRs would use $1,200 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	$870	$783 – $957	$937	$790
1 bedroom	$920	$828 – $1,012	$982	$860
2 bedrooms	$1,200	$1,080 – $1,320	$1,285	$1,130
3 bedrooms	$1,430	$1,287 – $1,573	$1,534	$1,360
4 bedrooms	$1,580	$1,422 – $1,738	$1,689	$1,500

A household renting a two-bedroom home at the Small Area FMR of $1,200 needs about $48,000 a year to keep housing costs at 30% of income. The area median family income is $77,500 and the 80% low-income limit for four people is $66,900. ZIP code 49461 lies mainly in Muskegon County. See the Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI county page for the full income limits table and the household check.

Nearby ZIP codes

ZIP	Place	Distance	2 BR SAFMR
49445	Muskegon	5.9 mi	$1,490
49437	Montague	6.9 mi	$1,120
49457	Twin Lake	8.9 mi	$1,410
49452	Rothbury	9.5 mi	$1,070
49440	Muskegon	10.1 mi	$1,120
49443	Muskegon	10.4 mi	$1,280

Questions

What is the Fair Market Rent for ZIP code 49461?

HUD's FY2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents for 49461 are $870 (studio), $920 (1 BR), $1,200 (2 BR), $1,430 (3 BR) and $1,580 (4 BR) a month.

What is the Section 8 payment standard in 49461?

Housing agencies set payment standards between 90% and 110% of the applicable FMR without HUD approval. For a two-bedroom unit in 49461 that range is $1,080 to $1,320 if the agency uses Small Area FMRs. Ask your housing agency for its actual payment standard.

Which income limits apply in 49461?

The FY2026 income limits of the Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI area apply: median family income $77,500, low-income (80%) limit $66,900 for a family of four.