FMR by state · 2026
| state | 1 BR | 2 BR | 3 BR | 4 BR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $830 | $1,010 | $1,280 | $1,430 |
| Florida | $1,590 | $1,860 | $2,420 | $2,860 |
| Georgia | $1,035 | $1,195 | $1,540 | $1,800 |
| Ohio | $870 | $1,090 | $1,390 | $1,570 |
| Texas | $1,010 | $1,240 | $1,630 | $1,920 |
| Michigan | $920 | $1,150 | $1,460 | $1,630 |
| Pennsylvania | $1,020 | $1,250 | $1,610 | $1,750 |
| Indiana | $880 | $1,100 | $1,380 | $1,560 |
| Tennessee | $930 | $1,120 | $1,460 | $1,630 |
| North Carolina | $1,040 | $1,210 | $1,590 | $1,930 |
| Missouri | $800 | $990 | $1,280 | $1,500 |
| Illinois | $840 | $1,060 | $1,370 | $1,550 |
| Virginia | $1,050 | $1,260 | $1,670 | $2,010 |
| Arizona | $1,330 | $1,630 | $2,150 | $2,410 |
| South Carolina | $1,060 | $1,180 | $1,490 | $1,770 |
FMRs above are median state-wide figures. Actual FMR is set by HUD per HUD Metropolitan FMR Area (HMFA), often county- or ZIP-level — pull HUD's tool for your exact zip.
Want all 50 states + DC? The full FY2026 breakdown — median rent by bedroom, top metros, ZIP-level ranges, and the DSCR math on voucher income for every state — is at Section 8 Fair Market Rents by state.
Why Section 8 wins for landlords
- Guaranteed rent. HUD pays the landlord's portion directly, on time, every month.
- Long tenancy. Section 8 tenants move far less than market-rate tenants — turnover is the killer in SFR.
- Above-market rents in some metros. FMRs can exceed private market rent in deeper rural markets.
- Stable demand. Voucher waitlists have hundreds of thousands of applicants nationally.
- HUD inspections. Required HQS standards keep units maintained.
Computing DSCR with FMR
Use the FMR as your rent input. If the 2BR FMR is $1,320 and your PITI payment is $980, your DSCR is 1.35 — a strong qualifier for a DSCR loan.
DSCR = Section 8 FMR ÷ monthly PITI
Known landlord-friendly Section 8 markets
- Memphis, TN — high voucher density, low entry price.
- Birmingham & Huntsville, AL — high acceptance, growing demand.
- Indianapolis, IN — landlord-friendly state, strong S8 program.
- Cleveland, Dayton & Columbus, OH — affordable, deep demand.
- St. Louis & KC, MO — high cash-flow / low entry.
- Detroit, MI — deep S8 pool, high yield.