Section 8 Payment Standards — Cincinnati, Ohio (FY 2026)
HUD Small Area Fair Market Rent (SAFMR) data for Cincinnati ZIP codes, plus how Section 8 rent compares to typical market asking rents.
Hamilton County SAFMRs run higher than many investors expect when they only underwrite on private-market asking rents.
County est. 2BR SAFMR
$1,353
County median home value
$275,666
Est. Section 8 yield
5.9%
On a typical Cincinnati county home, HUD's 2BR limit ($1,353/mo) vs an estimated market asking rent (~$2,205/mo) suggests a +-$852/mo Section 8 premium before utilities, payment standard adjustments, and rent reasonableness.
Sample Cincinnati ZIP codes — FY 2026 SAFMR
Payment standards vary by ZIP and bedroom count. Always confirm current limits with the local housing authority before underwriting a deal.
| ZIP | 0BR | 1BR | 2BR | 3BR | 4BR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 45202 | $1,440 | $1,580 | $2,030 | $2,680 | $2,960 |
| 45206 | $860 | $950 | $1,220 | $1,610 | $1,780 |
| 45225 | $730 | $800 | $1,030 | $1,360 | $1,500 |
Why Section 8 rent matters in Cincinnati
Most investors underwrite Cincinnati rentals using Zillow or market asking rent. Section 8 uses HUD SAFMR payment standards — and in many Ohio markets the gap between HUD rent and market rent is what makes a property cash-flow.
Local PHAs may set payment standards between 90% and 110% of SAFMR, subtract utility allowances, and run rent reasonableness tests. Use full SAFMR as a ceiling, not a guarantee on every door.
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