FY2027 Small Area FMR · Ariel, WA

ZIP 98603 Fair Market Rent & Payment Standards

HUD's FY2027 Small Area Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom home in ZIP code 98603 (Ariel, WA) is $1,500 a month, down 3.2% from FY2026. That is 7% above the Longview-Kelso, WA area-wide FMR of $1,398.

2-bedroom SAFMR$1,500per month ▼ 3.2%

Area-wide 2 BR FMR$1,398Longview-Kelso, WA

Rank in the area8thof 12 ZIP codes

Payment standard range, 2 bedrooms

90% of SAFMR$1,350

2 BR Small Area FMR$1,500

110% of SAFMR$1,650

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

Studio$1,140▼ 2.6%

1 BR$1,260▼ 4.5%

2 BR$1,500▼ 3.2%

3 BR$2,060▼ 3.3%

4 BR$2,490▼ 2.0%

FY2027 FY2026

Where 98603 sits in the Longview-Kelso, WA area

Of the 12 ZIP codes HUD lists for the area, 98603 has the 8th highest two-bedroom Small Area FMR. Longview-Kelso, WA 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 $1,398 for two bedrooms; an agency that opts in to Small Area FMRs would use $1,500 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	$1,140	$1,026 – $1,254	$974	$1,170
1 bedroom	$1,260	$1,134 – $1,386	$1,124	$1,320
2 bedrooms	$1,500	$1,350 – $1,650	$1,398	$1,550
3 bedrooms	$2,060	$1,854 – $2,266	$1,936	$2,130
4 bedrooms	$2,490	$2,241 – $2,739	$2,337	$2,540

A household renting a two-bedroom home at the Small Area FMR of $1,500 needs about $60,000 a year to keep housing costs at 30% of income. The area median family income is $106,700 and the 80% low-income limit for four people is $83,350. ZIP code 98603 lies mainly in Cowlitz County. See the Longview-Kelso, WA county page for the full income limits table and the household check.

Nearby ZIP codes

ZIP	Place	Distance	2 BR SAFMR
98601	Amboy	8.1 mi	$1,730
98674	Woodland	14.0 mi	$1,760
98625	Kalama	15.3 mi	$1,510
98629	La Center	15.7 mi	$2,190
98675	Yacolt	16.1 mi	$2,020
98616	Cougar	17.7 mi	$2,020

Questions

What is the Fair Market Rent for ZIP code 98603?

HUD's FY2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents for 98603 are $1,140 (studio), $1,260 (1 BR), $1,500 (2 BR), $2,060 (3 BR) and $2,490 (4 BR) a month.

What is the Section 8 payment standard in 98603?

Housing agencies set payment standards between 90% and 110% of the applicable FMR without HUD approval. For a two-bedroom unit in 98603 that range is $1,350 to $1,650 if the agency uses Small Area FMRs. Ask your housing agency for its actual payment standard.

Which income limits apply in 98603?

The FY2026 income limits of the Longview-Kelso, WA area apply: median family income $106,700, low-income (80%) limit $83,350 for a family of four.