Section 8 Payment Standards — Cleveland, Ohio (FY 2026)
HUD Small Area Fair Market Rent (SAFMR) data for Cleveland ZIP codes, plus how Section 8 rent compares to typical market asking rents.
Cuyahoga County combines low entry prices with SAFMR limits that often beat Zillow rent estimates by $400–700/mo on 2-bedroom units.
County est. 2BR SAFMR
$1,279
County median home value
$224,958
Est. Section 8 yield
6.8%
On a typical Cleveland county home, HUD's 2BR limit ($1,279/mo) vs an estimated market asking rent (~$1,800/mo) suggests a +-$521/mo Section 8 premium before utilities, payment standard adjustments, and rent reasonableness.
Sample Cleveland 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 44102 | $820 | $940 | $1,130 | $1,450 | $1,550 |
| 44105 | $780 | $890 | $1,070 | $1,380 | $1,470 |
| 44108 | $850 | $960 | $1,160 | $1,490 | $1,600 |
Why Section 8 rent matters in Cleveland
Most investors underwrite Cleveland 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.
Search live Cleveland listings scored on Section 8 rent
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