Free tool
Is your rent high for your ZIP?
Enter your ZIP code, how many bedrooms your home has and what you pay. See how it compares with HUD's fair market rent for your ZIP and for your county, and what that figure is and is not.
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- HUD rents for 33,486 ZIP codes (33,480 with a ZIP rent) in 3,213 counties
- Rules verified as of October 28, 2026.
- Public data from HUD and the Census Bureau
Enter your ZIP code, bedrooms and monthly rent. The comparison appears right away.
Your home
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Your rent vs. HUD's fair market rent
Enter your ZIP code to see HUD's fair market rent.
What HUD's fair market rent is and is not
- It is HUD's estimate of rent plus utilities (except telephone): generally, the figure below which 40% of standard-quality homes recently rented in the area fall. 24 CFR §888.113 ↗
- HUD uses it for Section 8 vouchers: the housing authority sets what a voucher pays, generally between 90% and 110% of this figure. 24 CFR §982.503 ↗
- It is not a legal limit: a landlord can charge more or less. What your state's law says about increases is a separate rule.
- It includes utilities. If your rent does not include electricity, gas or water, compare your rent plus those bills.
Source: HUD, Small Area FMR FY2027 ↗ · HUD, Fair Market Rents FY2027 ↗
Show contents
How is it calculated?
We use only the figures HUD publishes; you bring your rent and your ZIP code.
The formula
Difference = (your rent − HUD's fair market rent) ÷ HUD's fair market rent. The reference is the ZIP rent (Small Area FMR) when HUD publishes one for your ZIP; otherwise the county's (FMR). Under 5% apart counts as "about the same".
Example with the numbers for the United States
In Los Angeles County (California), HUD publishes for 2 bedrooms (FY2027):
- County fair market rent (Los Angeles County)
- $2,964
- ZIP with the lowest rent (90058)
- $1,870
- ZIP with the highest rent (91436)
- $4,450
- ZIP codes with a HUD rent
- 295
Within one county, HUD's fair market rent runs from $1,870 to $4,450 depending on the ZIP code.
Computed from the page's data when it was built; in the tool you replace every number with your own.
What moves the result?
Six things that change the number more than anything else.
-
Your rent
Enter the rent you pay each month. If it does not include utilities, remember HUD's figure does.
-
Your ZIP code
Rent changes from one neighborhood to the next. That is why HUD publishes a figure for many ZIP codes.
-
Not a cap
HUD's fair market rent is a reference, not a legal limit on what you can be charged.
-
Section 8 vouchers
Housing authorities use these figures to set what a voucher pays in your area.
-
Your state's law
Some states cap rent increases or require notice. Check your state's rule.
-
Your receipts
Keep your lease and rent receipts. They help you compare and negotiate.
The official numbers behind the tool
Official data the tool uses, so you can compare.
HUD Fair Market Rent by size, most populous counties of the United States
| Place | Studio | 1 bed | 2-bed Fair Market Rent | 3 bed | 4 bed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles County (CA) | $2,151 | $2,402 | $2,964 | $3,760 | $4,208 |
| Cook County (IL) | $1,678 | $1,780 | $2,011 | $2,586 | $2,954 |
| Harris County (TX) | $1,233 | $1,261 | $1,497 | $2,017 | $2,502 |
| Maricopa County (AZ) | $1,390 | $1,493 | $1,734 | $2,287 | $2,537 |
| San Diego County (CA) | $2,192 | $2,335 | $2,823 | $3,743 | $4,526 |
| Orange County (CA) | $2,580 | $2,610 | $3,057 | $4,153 | $4,964 |
| Miami-Dade County (FL) | $1,953 | $2,121 | $2,564 | $3,277 | $3,749 |
| Kings County (NY) | $2,593 | $2,729 | $2,971 | $3,760 | $4,121 |
- Los Angeles County (CA) $2,151$2,402
- Cook County (IL) $1,678$1,780
- Harris County (TX) $1,233$1,261
- Maricopa County (AZ) $1,390$1,493
- San Diego County (CA) $2,192$2,335
- Orange County (CA) $2,580$2,610
- Miami-Dade County (FL) $1,953$2,121
- Kings County (NY) $2,593$2,729
Source: Fair Market Rents (Fiscal year 2027)
Rents in the most populous counties of the United States
| Place | Typical rent | 2-bed Fair Market Rent | Rent ÷ income |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles County (CA) | $1,954 | $2,964 | 26% |
| Cook County (IL) | $1,435 | $2,011 | 21% |
| Harris County (TX) | $1,401 | $1,497 | 22% |
| Maricopa County (AZ) | $1,708 | $1,734 | 23% |
| San Diego County (CA) | $2,246 | $2,823 | 25% |
| Orange County (CA) | $2,434 | $3,057 | 25% |
| Miami-Dade County (FL) | $1,829 | $2,564 | 31% |
| Kings County (NY) | $1,833 | $2,971 | 27% |
- Los Angeles County (CA) $1,954$2,964
- Cook County (IL) $1,435$2,011
- Harris County (TX) $1,401$1,497
- Maricopa County (AZ) $1,708$1,734
- San Diego County (CA) $2,246$2,823
- Orange County (CA) $2,434$3,057
- Miami-Dade County (FL) $1,829$2,564
- Kings County (NY) $1,833$2,971
Source: American Community Survey (Average 2020–2024) · Fair Market Rents (Fiscal year 2027)
— means the source publishes no value.
Want your county's numbers?
Type your county or ZIP code: the tool loads its numbers and keeps them in your browser for the other tools.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Fair Market Rent (FMR)?
It is a HUD estimate: generally, the rent (with utilities, except telephone) below which 40% of standard-quality homes recently rented in your area fall.
Is the FMR the most I can be charged?
No. It is an estimate HUD uses for its programs, such as Section 8 vouchers, not a legal limit on rent. Some states cap rent increases; see the tenant-rights tool.
Why does my ZIP have a different figure than my county?
HUD computes ZIP rents (Small Area FMRs) because rent changes a lot from one neighborhood to the next. In some areas, the housing authority uses the ZIP figure for vouchers.
Do you keep my rent or my ZIP code?
No. What you enter stays in your browser. Clear it with "Start over" or "Delete my data".
Methodology and sources (HUD and the Census Bureau)
- Every year HUD publishes a Fair Market Rent (FMR) for each county and one for ZIP codes (Small Area FMR). We use the FY2027 figures as HUD publishes them.
- Your ZIP code is placed in the county that holds most of its land, per the Census Bureau. Where HUD publishes no ZIP rent for your ZIP, we compare with the county's only and say so.
- HUD's FMR covers rent plus utilities (except telephone). If your rent does not include electricity, gas or water, your total cost is higher than the figure you entered.
Data
- Small Area Fair Market Rents (Fiscal year 2027)
- Fair Market Rents (Fiscal year 2027)
- Census Bureau ZCTA-to-county relationship file (2020 data)
Program rules
- 24 CFR §888.113, Fair market rents for existing housing: Methodology · In effect since October 28, 2026
- 24 CFR §982.503, Payment standard areas, schedule, and amounts · In effect since October 28, 2026
What comes next?
With the comparison in hand, check how much rent fits your budget, or your rights if your rent goes up.
Want someone to go over it with you? A HUD-approved counselor does it for free or at low cost. Find a counselor
More tools
Guides to read next
- How to apply for a Section 8 voucher: waiting lists and papers How to apply for a Section 8 voucher: where to apply, how waiting lists and preferences work, the papers you need and what changes for a mixed family.
- How to avoid rental scams: the signs and what to do The signs of a fake rental listing, what never to pay up front, what not to share before you sign and where to report, according to the FTC and CFPB.
- How to rent without a Social Security number or credit What a landlord can ask for, what to offer instead of an SSN and credit, how much rent fits your income and your rights if you are turned down.
- What to do if you get an eviction notice Notice, lawsuit and the judge's order: what you can do at each moment, where free legal help is and what federal law says about the 30-day notice.