Arizona Section 8 Fair Market Rent Benchmarks by County (FY2027)

The tables below compare HUD’s FY2027 Fair Market Rent benchmarks across Arizona. They are market reference figures, not approved rents, adopted payment standards or the amount an individual voucher pays. Confirm the fiscal year and effective date in HUD’s FMR data, then use the responsible housing authority’s own documents for a proposed tenancy.

For Phoenix, the City and HAMC publish separate January 2026 schedules. Their adopted amounts are not interchangeable with each other or with the county benchmark below. For local application guidance, use the Phoenix city guide; for adopted amounts and household examples, use the Phoenix payment article.

Compared with FY2026, the 2-bedroom figure rose in 1 counties and fell in 14. The largest increase was Pima County ($1,402 to $1,405, +0.2%); the steepest cut was Coconino County ($1,921 to $1,729, -10.0%). Two metros in Arizona are on HUD's mandatory Small Area FMR list (Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ; Tucson, AZ). In those areas, consult the applicable ZIP-based agency policy; a county FMR is an area benchmark, not an average of the adopted ZIP payment standards.

Reading the table. HUD benchmarks, authority payment standards and household assistance are distinct. Do not calculate an assumed 90–110% range and present it as an adopted agency schedule. ZIP-based policies, exceptions, program differences and agency implementation dates can change the applicable result. Ask the administrator for the actual standard, utility allowance and household payment.

FY2027 Fair Market Rents by Metro Area in Arizona

HUD defines FMR areas for the benchmark tables. “ZIP-level” identifies the listed Small Area FMR markets; it does not turn the metro figure into an approved ZIP payment standard.

FY2027 Fair Market Rents for Every County in Arizona

All 15 counties, alphabetical. Studio figures are in the metro table above.

Where the HUD Benchmark Moved Most From FY2026 to FY2027

Biggest increases (2-bedroom):

Biggest cuts (2-bedroom):

A change in a HUD benchmark is not itself a change in an existing household’s payment. Agency adoption, transaction rules and required notices matter. Ask which adopted standard applies to the lease or recertification; do not infer an automatic new rent or subsidy reduction from this comparison. See the federal payment-standard application rules.

Modeled HUD benchmark comparisons with market rent in Arizona

The comparison below uses HUD benchmarks and observed market-rent data from the existing analysis. “Median premium” describes the modeled difference, not an adopted agency payment or guaranteed landlord return. A positive percentage does not prove that a particular voucher covers a particular listing. Bedroom mix, utilities, dates and actual agency review still matter.

Use the modeled comparison as market context only. The authority must review the actual unit, rent and household; these figures do not establish approval at or above market. Methodology and broader comparisons remain in the national benchmark analysis.

Find the responsible housing authority in Arizona

Start with the administrator and program printed on the voucher. If moving, ask the issuer to confirm the receiving authority for the full address. Use the official website linked from the local city guide to obtain current contact details and adopted documents; a metropolitan or county label alone does not establish jurisdiction.

Can a Landlord Refuse a Voucher in Arizona?

Check the property’s actual jurisdiction and program requirements. Phoenix’s official housing-discrimination guidance includes source-of-income protections. Other municipalities may have their own rules; this overview is not an exhaustive ordinance list. Retain the advertisement and written screening response when seeking help about a refusal.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Section 8 pay in Arizona? The county figures below are HUD market benchmarks. Actual assistance depends on the responsible agency’s adopted policy, program, address, bedroom size, utilities and household calculation. Use the local guide and obtain an agency determination for the proposed tenancy.

Which Arizona county has the highest HUD two-bedroom benchmark in this table? Pinal County, at $1,734 for a 2-bedroom ($2,287 for a 3-bedroom) in FY2027. The lowest is La Paz County at $1,038.

Did HUD FMR benchmarks go up in Arizona for FY2027? Mostly no: the 2-bedroom figure rose in 1 counties, fell in 14, and held in 0. The biggest increase was Pima County (+0.2%). The biggest cut was Coconino County (-10.0%).

Can a landlord refuse Section 8 in Arizona? Check the property’s actual jurisdiction and program requirements. Phoenix’s official housing-discrimination guidance includes source-of-income protections. Other municipalities may have their own rules; this overview is not an exhaustive ordinance list. Retain the advertisement and written screening response when seeking help about a refusal.

Where is my housing authority’s actual payment standard? Use the official agency program or document page and check the effective date inside the file. Ask staff which schedule applies to the program and transaction; a filename or annual HUD release alone does not resolve that question.

See also our Arizona Section 8 overview; metro guides for Phoenix, Tucson; the national 2-bedroom table for the 40 largest metros; HUD's FY2027 FMR dataset.

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Holding a voucher in Arizona? Start with the state directory to find the relevant local guide and apartment search.

Arizona landlord? List your property, and confirm the responsible authority’s process. The HUD tables above do not establish an approved rent or assistance payment.