Section 8 Rent Guides by City
Official HUD FY 2026 SAFMR data for markets where government rent often beats private market asking rents — the same regions Rich from Section 8 helps investors underwrite.
Detroit, MI
Wayne County investors routinely see HUD 2BR rents near $1,350 while purchase prices on distressed SFRs stay under $100k.
Est. county Section 8 yield: 9.3%
Cleveland, OH
Cuyahoga County combines low entry prices with SAFMR limits that often beat Zillow rent estimates by $400–700/mo on 2-bedroom units.
Est. county Section 8 yield: 6.8%
Dayton, OH
Montgomery County is a classic Midwest rent-gap market — HUD payment standards hold up while owner-occupant demand keeps prices subdued.
Est. county Section 8 yield: 7.4%
Birmingham, AL
Jefferson County offers strong Section 8 yields relative to median home values, especially on older single-family stock.
Est. county Section 8 yield: 6.9%
Cincinnati, OH
Hamilton County SAFMRs run higher than many investors expect when they only underwrite on private-market asking rents.
Est. county Section 8 yield: 5.9%
Memphis, TN
Shelby County pairs affordable acquisitions with HUD rents that can exceed estimated market rent on the same property.
Est. county Section 8 yield: 6.9%
Indianapolis, IN
Marion County is one of the largest Midwest metros where Section 8 underwriting changes the cash-flow picture on sub-$150k homes.
Est. county Section 8 yield: 7.6%
Columbus, OH
Franklin County has active voucher demand; SAFMR-by-ZIP matters because payment limits vary block to block.
Est. county Section 8 yield: 5.7%
Atlanta, GA
Fulton County inner-core ZIPs can show large spreads between HUD limits and distressed market rents on older rentals.
Est. county Section 8 yield: 5.2%
St. Louis, MO
City of St. Louis pricing stays low while HUD SAFMR data supports stronger gross rent assumptions than Zillow comps alone.
Est. county Section 8 yield: 7.8%
Louisville, KY
Jefferson County investors targeting cash flow should compare every listing to Louisville-area SAFMR, not just market rent.
Est. county Section 8 yield: 5.6%
Kansas City, MO
Jackson County offers a mix of affordable SFR inventory and HUD rents that can carry DSCR-friendly debt service coverage.
Est. county Section 8 yield: 6.5%
Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee County has established PHA infrastructure and ZIP-level SAFMR variation worth modeling before you make an offer.
Est. county Section 8 yield: 5.4%
Buffalo, NY
Erie County distressed rentals often pencil on Section 8 rent when they fail a straight market-rent analysis.
Est. county Section 8 yield: 5.3%
Toledo, OH
Lucas County is a high-yield Ohio market where HUD FY2026 SAFMR limits outperform typical asking rents on lower-priced homes.
Est. county Section 8 yield: 7.2%
Akron, OH
Summit County combines Rust Belt pricing with SAFMR ceilings that reward investors who underwrite on voucher rent.
Est. county Section 8 yield: 6.5%
Flint, MI
Genesee County entry prices are among the lowest in Michigan while HUD rents remain materially above market estimates.
Est. county Section 8 yield: 6.2%
Youngstown, OH
Mahoning County is a textbook rent-gap market — low purchase prices and HUD limits that surprise first-time Section 8 investors.
Est. county Section 8 yield: 6.5%
Gary, IN
Lake County (Gary) offers some of the steepest spreads between HUD payment standards and private-market rent in Indiana.
Est. county Section 8 yield: 6.2%
Mobile, AL
Mobile County Gulf Coast pricing stays accessible while SAFMR limits support stronger gross rent on older rental stock.
Est. county Section 8 yield: 6.5%