FY2027 Small Area FMR · Tempe, AZ
ZIP 85281 Fair Market Rent & Payment Standards
HUD's FY2027 Small Area Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom home in ZIP code 85281 (Tempe, AZ) is $1,810 a month, down 10.0% from FY2026. That is 4% above the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ area-wide FMR of $1,734.
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 85281 sits in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ area
Of the 225 ZIP codes HUD lists for the area, 85281 has the 79th highest two-bedroom Small Area FMR. Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ is one of the 65 metro areas where HUD requires Small Area FMRs for the Housing Choice Voucher program (designated 2023), so local housing agencies must set payment standards from this ZIP code's figure, normally between $1,629 and $1,991 for two bedrooms.
All unit sizes
| Unit | FY2027 SAFMR | Payment standard range | Area-wide FMR | FY2026 SAFMR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,440 | $1,296 – $1,584 | $1,390 | $1,590 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,560 | $1,404 – $1,716 | $1,493 | $1,730 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,810 | $1,629 – $1,991 | $1,734 | $2,010 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,420 | $2,178 – $2,662 | $2,287 | $2,680 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,680 | $2,412 – $2,948 | $2,537 | $2,970 |
A household renting a two-bedroom home at the Small Area FMR of $1,810 needs about $72,400 a year to keep housing costs at 30% of income. The area median family income is $112,400 and the 80% low-income limit for four people is $89,900. ZIP code 85281 lies mainly in Maricopa County. See the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ 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 85281?
HUD's FY2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents for 85281 are $1,440 (studio), $1,560 (1 BR), $1,810 (2 BR), $2,420 (3 BR) and $2,680 (4 BR) a month.
What is the Section 8 payment standard in 85281?
Housing agencies set payment standards between 90% and 110% of the applicable FMR without HUD approval. For a two-bedroom unit in 85281 that range is $1,629 to $1,991 if the agency uses Small Area FMRs. Ask your housing agency for its actual payment standard.
Which income limits apply in 85281?
The FY2026 income limits of the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ area apply: median family income $112,400, low-income (80%) limit $89,900 for a family of four.