FY2027 Small Area FMR · Seattle, WA
ZIP 98101 Fair Market Rent & Payment Standards
HUD's FY2027 Small Area Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom home in ZIP code 98101 (Seattle, WA) is $3,490 a month, up 0.6% from FY2026. That is 37% above the Seattle-Bellevue, WA area-wide FMR of $2,549.
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 98101 sits in the Seattle-Bellevue, WA area
Of the 153 ZIP codes HUD lists for the area, 98101 has the 6th highest two-bedroom Small Area FMR. Seattle-Bellevue, WA 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 $3,141 and $3,839 for two bedrooms.
All unit sizes
| Unit | FY2027 SAFMR | Payment standard range | Area-wide FMR | FY2026 SAFMR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $2,860 | $2,574 – $3,146 | $2,091 | $2,880 |
| 1 bedroom | $2,980 | $2,682 – $3,278 | $2,180 | $2,980 |
| 2 bedrooms | $3,490 | $3,141 – $3,839 | $2,549 | $3,470 |
| 3 bedrooms | $4,550 | $4,095 – $5,005 | $3,324 | $4,540 |
| 4 bedrooms | $5,410 | $4,869 – $5,951 | $3,954 | $5,340 |
A household renting a two-bedroom home at the Small Area FMR of $3,490 needs about $139,600 a year to keep housing costs at 30% of income. The area median family income is $164,400 and the 80% low-income limit for four people is $116,650. ZIP code 98101 lies mainly in King County. See the Seattle-Bellevue, WA 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 98101?
HUD's FY2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents for 98101 are $2,860 (studio), $2,980 (1 BR), $3,490 (2 BR), $4,550 (3 BR) and $5,410 (4 BR) a month.
What is the Section 8 payment standard in 98101?
Housing agencies set payment standards between 90% and 110% of the applicable FMR without HUD approval. For a two-bedroom unit in 98101 that range is $3,141 to $3,839 if the agency uses Small Area FMRs. Ask your housing agency for its actual payment standard.
Which income limits apply in 98101?
The FY2026 income limits of the Seattle-Bellevue, WA area apply: median family income $164,400, low-income (80%) limit $116,650 for a family of four.