Section 8 Rent Limits in Alabama for FY2027: Fair Market Rent for Every County
What Section 8 pays in Alabama depends on the county. HUD sets a Fair Market Rent for each of the state's 67 counties (grouped into 19 metro and non-metro FMR areas), and every housing authority in Alabama builds its payment standard from that figure. For fiscal year 2027, the 2-bedroom FMR runs from $921 in Barbour County to $1,434 in Baldwin County, about half again as much. The statewide median county sits at $975.
Year over year, 63 of the 67 counties with figures in both years went up and 4 went down. Talladega County had the biggest jump, $814 to $977 (+20.0%). Washington County took the biggest cut, $983 to $921 (-6.3%). Three metros in Alabama are on HUD's mandatory Small Area FMR list (Birmingham-Hoover, AL; Mobile, AL; Montgomery, AL), where the limit is set ZIP code by ZIP code instead of by county; the county figure there is only an average.
How the number becomes your rent limit. The FMR is HUD's estimate of the 40th-percentile gross rent (rent plus utilities) for a modest unit in the area. Your housing authority publishes a payment standard for each bedroom size, between 90% and 110% of the FMR. You pay roughly 30% of adjusted monthly income; the voucher covers the rest up to the payment standard. If the unit's gross rent is above the standard, you pay the difference, but a new lease cannot leave your share above 40% of income.
FY2027 Fair Market Rents by Metro Area in Alabama
HUD groups counties into FMR areas; a metro's figure applies to every county inside it. "ZIP-level" marks mandatory Small Area FMR metros.
| FMR area | Studio | 1 BR | 2 BR | 3 BR | 4 BR | 2 BR vs FY2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anniston-Oxford, AL | $796 | $801 | $1,010 | $1,337 | $1,341 | +5.0% |
| Auburn-Opelika, AL | $891 | $1,167 | $1,277 | $1,548 | $1,794 | +8.1% |
| Birmingham-Hoover, AL (ZIP-level) | $1,177 | $1,263 | $1,375 | $1,727 | $1,941 | +8.6% |
| Chilton County, AL | $788 | $793 | $1,038 | $1,309 | $1,641 | +7.0% |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $1,026 | $1,053 | $1,212 | $1,611 | $1,876 | +11.4% |
| Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL | $1,180 | $1,317 | $1,434 | $1,855 | $2,347 | +6.6% |
| Decatur, AL | $830 | $835 | $1,023 | $1,315 | $1,686 | +6.5% |
| Dothan, AL | $763 | $768 | $966 | $1,291 | $1,415 | +1.7% |
| Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL | $760 | $834 | $1,085 | $1,348 | $1,426 | +8.5% |
| Gadsden, AL | $679 | $830 | $975 | $1,235 | $1,397 | +5.2% |
| Greene County, AL | $883 | $889 | $1,163 | $1,386 | $1,528 | +2.0% |
| Henry County, AL | $699 | $704 | $921 | $1,105 | $1,284 | +4.9% |
| Huntsville, AL | $1,119 | $1,177 | $1,341 | $1,735 | $2,241 | +2.4% |
| Macon County, AL | $698 | $750 | $981 | $1,223 | $1,479 | -1.4% |
| Mobile, AL (ZIP-level) | $938 | $981 | $1,139 | $1,474 | $1,565 | +5.2% |
| Montgomery, AL (ZIP-level) | $986 | $1,003 | $1,150 | $1,476 | $1,708 | +13.2% |
| Pickens County, AL | $699 | $704 | $921 | $1,133 | $1,430 | +18.7% |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | $970 | $975 | $1,165 | $1,470 | $1,531 | -0.3% |
| Walker County, AL | $684 | $776 | $949 | $1,314 | $1,586 | +7.1% |
FY2027 Fair Market Rents for Every County in Alabama
All 67 counties, alphabetical. Studio figures are in the metro table above.
| County | 1 BR | 2 BR | 3 BR | 4 BR | 2 BR vs FY2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Autauga County | $1,003 | $1,150 | $1,476 | $1,708 | +13.2% |
| Baldwin County | $1,317 | $1,434 | $1,855 | $2,347 | +6.6% |
| Barbour County | $846 | $921 | $1,255 | $1,284 | +18.7% |
| Bibb County | $1,263 | $1,375 | $1,727 | $1,941 | +8.6% |
| Blount County | $1,263 | $1,375 | $1,727 | $1,941 | +8.6% |
| Bullock County | $846 | $921 | $1,097 | $1,368 | +18.7% |
| Butler County | $733 | $959 | $1,143 | $1,369 | +14.6% |
| Calhoun County | $801 | $1,010 | $1,337 | $1,341 | +5.0% |
| Chambers County | $967 | $1,091 | $1,401 | $1,434 | +8.9% |
| Cherokee County | $754 | $986 | $1,175 | $1,464 | +16.8% |
| Chilton County | $793 | $1,038 | $1,309 | $1,641 | +7.0% |
| Choctaw County | $737 | $921 | $1,211 | $1,368 | +18.4% |
| Clarke County | $704 | $921 | $1,204 | $1,476 | +16.4% |
| Clay County | $704 | $921 | $1,275 | $1,368 | +18.7% |
| Cleburne County | $804 | $1,004 | $1,245 | $1,320 | +15.8% |
| Coffee County | $839 | $1,098 | $1,520 | $1,598 | +17.7% |
| Colbert County | $834 | $1,085 | $1,348 | $1,426 | +8.5% |
| Conecuh County | $737 | $921 | $1,275 | $1,368 | +18.7% |
| Coosa County | $737 | $921 | $1,275 | $1,368 | +18.7% |
| Covington County | $719 | $921 | $1,181 | $1,539 | +18.7% |
| Crenshaw County | $704 | $921 | $1,097 | $1,210 | +18.7% |
| Cullman County | $790 | $1,034 | $1,356 | $1,581 | +17.6% |
| Dale County | $844 | $921 | $1,275 | $1,539 | +18.7% |
| Dallas County | $722 | $945 | $1,301 | $1,306 | +13.0% |
| DeKalb County | $704 | $921 | $1,154 | $1,539 | +18.7% |
| Elmore County | $1,003 | $1,150 | $1,476 | $1,708 | +13.2% |
| Escambia County | $753 | $921 | $1,129 | $1,518 | +18.7% |
| Etowah County | $830 | $975 | $1,235 | $1,397 | +5.2% |
| Fayette County | $802 | $921 | $1,275 | $1,368 | +18.7% |
| Franklin County | $846 | $921 | $1,196 | $1,210 | +18.7% |
| Geneva County | $768 | $966 | $1,291 | $1,415 | +1.7% |
| Greene County | $889 | $1,163 | $1,386 | $1,528 | +2.0% |
| Hale County | $975 | $1,165 | $1,470 | $1,531 | -0.3% |
| Henry County | $704 | $921 | $1,105 | $1,284 | +4.9% |
| Houston County | $768 | $966 | $1,291 | $1,415 | +1.7% |
| Jackson County | $728 | $921 | $1,236 | $1,453 | +18.7% |
| Jefferson County | $1,263 | $1,375 | $1,727 | $1,941 | +8.6% |
| Lamar County | $741 | $921 | $1,206 | $1,210 | +18.7% |
| Lauderdale County | $834 | $1,085 | $1,348 | $1,426 | +8.5% |
| Lawrence County | $835 | $1,023 | $1,315 | $1,686 | +6.5% |
| Lee County | $1,167 | $1,277 | $1,548 | $1,794 | +8.1% |
| Limestone County | $1,177 | $1,341 | $1,735 | $2,241 | +2.4% |
| Lowndes County | $1,003 | $1,150 | $1,476 | $1,708 | +13.2% |
| Macon County | $750 | $981 | $1,223 | $1,479 | -1.4% |
| Madison County | $1,177 | $1,341 | $1,735 | $2,241 | +2.4% |
| Marengo County | $819 | $921 | $1,219 | $1,280 | +17.6% |
| Marion County | $738 | $921 | $1,275 | $1,539 | +18.7% |
| Marshall County | $707 | $925 | $1,281 | $1,285 | +19.2% |
| Mobile County | $981 | $1,139 | $1,474 | $1,565 | +5.2% |
| Monroe County | $704 | $921 | $1,275 | $1,496 | +18.7% |
| Montgomery County | $1,003 | $1,150 | $1,476 | $1,708 | +13.2% |
| Morgan County | $835 | $1,023 | $1,315 | $1,686 | +6.5% |
| Perry County | $737 | $921 | $1,097 | $1,368 | +14.7% |
| Pickens County | $704 | $921 | $1,133 | $1,430 | +18.7% |
| Pike County | $806 | $1,055 | $1,257 | $1,490 | +15.7% |
| Randolph County | $748 | $923 | $1,100 | $1,245 | +18.6% |
| Russell County | $1,053 | $1,212 | $1,611 | $1,876 | +11.4% |
| Shelby County | $1,263 | $1,375 | $1,727 | $1,941 | +8.6% |
| St. Clair County | $1,263 | $1,375 | $1,727 | $1,941 | +8.6% |
| Sumter County | $788 | $921 | $1,275 | $1,368 | +11.4% |
| Talladega County | $799 | $977 | $1,281 | $1,286 | +20.0% |
| Tallapoosa County | $760 | $994 | $1,214 | $1,587 | +16.0% |
| Tuscaloosa County | $975 | $1,165 | $1,470 | $1,531 | -0.3% |
| Walker County | $776 | $949 | $1,314 | $1,586 | +7.1% |
| Washington County | $737 | $921 | $1,211 | $1,539 | -6.3% |
| Wilcox County | $846 | $921 | $1,275 | $1,368 | +9.3% |
| Winston County | $802 | $921 | $1,275 | $1,407 | +18.7% |
Where the Limit Moved Most From FY2026 to FY2027
Biggest increases (2-bedroom):
| County | FY2026 | FY2027 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Talladega County | $814 | $977 | +20.0% |
| Marshall County | $776 | $925 | +19.2% |
| Barbour County | $776 | $921 | +18.7% |
| Bullock County | $776 | $921 | +18.7% |
| Clay County | $776 | $921 | +18.7% |
Biggest cuts (2-bedroom):
| County | FY2026 | FY2027 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington County | $983 | $921 | -6.3% |
| Macon County | $995 | $981 | -1.4% |
| Hale County | $1,169 | $1,165 | -0.3% |
| Tuscaloosa County | $1,169 | $1,165 | -0.3% |
HUD caps a one-year decrease at 10%, so a county showing exactly -10.0% hit the floor. A lower FMR does not change an existing lease; it narrows the band for new leases and rent increases, and a reduced payment standard reaches a family already housed only at its second annual reexamination after the change.
Where a Voucher Beats the Market in Alabama
Comparing HUD's 2-bedroom limit to Zillow's observed rent in the same ZIP code shows where a voucher actually stretches. No Alabama metro with enough data has a positive median: Huntsville comes closest, with the typical ZIP's limit -8.5% against market rent and 24% of its ZIPs above the going rent; Montgomery is the hardest at -22.7%. "Median premium" is the typical ZIP's rent limit minus market rent, as a percent of market rent.
| Metro | ZIPs with data | Median premium | ZIPs above market |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntsville, AL | 21 | -8.5% | 24% |
| Birmingham-Hoover, AL | 50 | -9.3% | 26% |
| Montgomery, AL | 16 | -22.7% | 0% |
Even where the median is negative, the ZIPs above market are where voucher tenants and landlords match fastest. The national ranking is in our voucher-vs-market analysis.
The Largest Housing Authorities in Alabama
Which authority issued your voucher decides which payment standard applies. The biggest programs in the state:
- Housing Authority of the Birmingham District (Birmingham), about 6,400 vouchers, (205) 521-0679
- Mobile Housing Authority (Mobile), about 5,000 vouchers, (251) 434-2212
- Housing Authority of the City of Montgomery (Montgomery), about 3,100 vouchers, (334) 206-7255
- the Housing Authority of the City of Prichard (Prichard), about 2,600 vouchers, (251) 283-0111
- Jefferson County Housing Authority (Birmingham), about 2,300 vouchers, (205) 849-0123
- the Housing Authority of the City of Huntsville (Huntsville), about 2,100 vouchers, (256) 539-0774
- Ha Tuscaloosa (Tuscaloosa), about 2,000 vouchers, (205) 758-6619
- Housing Authority of the City of Dothan (Dothan), about 1,700 vouchers, (334) 794-6713
Can a Landlord Refuse a Voucher in Alabama?
Yes, in most of the state. Alabama has no statewide source-of-income protection, so a landlord can decline a voucher unless a local ordinance says otherwise. Refusal based on race, disability, familial status, or another federally protected trait is still illegal.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Section 8 pay in Alabama? It depends on the county. HUD's FY2027 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent runs from $921 in Barbour County to $1,434 in Baldwin County, with a median county of $975. Your housing authority's payment standard is 90% to 110% of the figure for your county, and the voucher pays that standard minus about 30% of your adjusted income.
Which Alabama county has the highest Section 8 rent limit? Baldwin County, at $1,434 for a 2-bedroom ($1,855 for a 3-bedroom) in FY2027. The lowest is Barbour County at $921.
Did Section 8 rent limits go up in Alabama for FY2027? Mostly yes: the 2-bedroom figure rose in 63 counties, fell in 4, and held in 0. The biggest increase was Talladega County (+20.0%). The biggest cut was Washington County (-6.3%).
Can a landlord refuse Section 8 in Alabama? Yes, in most of the state. Alabama has no statewide source-of-income protection, so a landlord can decline a voucher unless a local ordinance says otherwise. Refusal based on race, disability, familial status, or another federally protected trait is still illegal.
Where is my housing authority's actual payment standard? On the authority's website, usually a one-page PDF updated each fall, or by calling its Housing Choice Voucher office. The largest Alabama authorities are listed above with phone numbers.
See also our Alabama Section 8 overview; metro guides for Birmingham; the national 2-bedroom table for the 40 largest metros; HUD's FY2027 FMR dataset.
Holding a voucher in Alabama? Browse voucher-friendly listings by ZIP code and bedroom size.
Alabama landlord? List your property free. The table above is what a voucher tenant's authority can pay.
VoucherMatch Editorial Team
Every rule, date and dollar amount in this article is checked against the agency document it comes from, and the sources are listed above. How VoucherMatch articles are researched and corrected
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