Section 8 Rent Limits in Arkansas for FY2027: Fair Market Rent for Every County
What Section 8 pays in Arkansas depends on the county. HUD sets a Fair Market Rent for each of the state's 75 counties (grouped into 10 metro and non-metro FMR areas), and every housing authority in Arkansas builds its payment standard from that figure. For fiscal year 2027, the 2-bedroom FMR runs from $909 in Ashley County to $1,301 in Crittenden County, a real gap. The statewide median county sits at $909.
Compared with FY2026, the 2-bedroom figure rose in 65 counties and fell in 10. The largest increase was White County ($880 to $948, +7.7%); the steepest cut was Benton County ($1,347 to $1,256, -6.8%). One metro in Arkansas is on HUD's mandatory Small Area FMR list (Memphis, TN-MS-AR), where the limit is set ZIP code by ZIP code instead of by county; the county figure there is only an average.
Reading the table. These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the basis for payment standards, not the standards themselves. Each housing authority picks a point between 90% and 110% of the FMR for each bedroom size and publishes it as its payment standard. The voucher then pays the standard (or the actual gross rent, if lower) minus about 30% of your adjusted income. Utilities you pay yourself count against the ceiling through a utility allowance.
FY2027 Fair Market Rents by Metro Area in Arkansas
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $916 | $1,056 | $1,256 | $1,739 | $2,099 | -6.8% |
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | $741 | $748 | $979 | $1,324 | $1,625 | +4.5% |
| Grant County, AR | $802 | $805 | $909 | $1,196 | $1,468 | -6.1% |
| Hot Springs, AR | $858 | $863 | $1,110 | $1,424 | $1,599 | +1.8% |
| Jonesboro, AR | $889 | $895 | $1,079 | $1,418 | $1,424 | +3.8% |
| Little River County, AR | $688 | $695 | $909 | $1,259 | $1,374 | +3.3% |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $964 | $969 | $1,121 | $1,504 | $1,810 | -2.3% |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR (ZIP-level) | $1,095 | $1,191 | $1,301 | $1,717 | $1,981 | +2.1% |
| Poinsett County, AR | $690 | $695 | $909 | $1,190 | $1,195 | +3.3% |
| Texarkana, TX-Texarkana, AR | $839 | $874 | $1,118 | $1,403 | $1,683 | +1.5% |
FY2027 Fair Market Rents for Every County in Arkansas
All 75 counties, alphabetical. Studio figures are in the metro table above.
| County | 1 BR | 2 BR | 3 BR | 4 BR | 2 BR vs FY2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arkansas County | $737 | $942 | $1,181 | $1,575 | +2.2% |
| Ashley County | $695 | $909 | $1,083 | $1,519 | +3.3% |
| Baxter County | $761 | $995 | $1,303 | $1,308 | +3.2% |
| Benton County | $1,056 | $1,256 | $1,739 | $2,099 | -6.8% |
| Boone County | $695 | $909 | $1,259 | $1,354 | +3.3% |
| Bradley County | $695 | $909 | $1,091 | $1,477 | +3.3% |
| Calhoun County | $829 | $1,084 | $1,292 | $1,520 | +7.2% |
| Carroll County | $768 | $1,005 | $1,199 | $1,409 | +5.3% |
| Chicot County | $695 | $909 | $1,174 | $1,274 | +3.3% |
| Clark County | $716 | $928 | $1,240 | $1,312 | +5.5% |
| Clay County | $695 | $909 | $1,205 | $1,274 | +3.3% |
| Cleburne County | $762 | $997 | $1,290 | $1,355 | +4.4% |
| Cleveland County | $695 | $909 | $1,170 | $1,274 | +3.3% |
| Columbia County | $724 | $947 | $1,165 | $1,245 | +4.9% |
| Conway County | $695 | $909 | $1,259 | $1,519 | +3.3% |
| Craighead County | $895 | $1,079 | $1,418 | $1,424 | +3.8% |
| Crawford County | $748 | $979 | $1,324 | $1,625 | +4.5% |
| Crittenden County | $1,191 | $1,301 | $1,717 | $1,981 | +2.1% |
| Cross County | $695 | $909 | $1,259 | $1,519 | +3.3% |
| Dallas County | $695 | $909 | $1,087 | $1,274 | +3.3% |
| Desha County | $700 | $909 | $1,217 | $1,329 | +3.3% |
| Drew County | $695 | $909 | $1,190 | $1,195 | -1.9% |
| Faulkner County | $969 | $1,121 | $1,504 | $1,810 | -2.3% |
| Franklin County | $695 | $909 | $1,140 | $1,519 | +3.3% |
| Fulton County | $835 | $909 | $1,195 | $1,274 | +3.3% |
| Garland County | $863 | $1,110 | $1,424 | $1,599 | +1.8% |
| Grant County | $805 | $909 | $1,196 | $1,468 | -6.1% |
| Greene County | $783 | $935 | $1,287 | $1,563 | +3.3% |
| Hempstead County | $835 | $909 | $1,224 | $1,313 | +0.1% |
| Hot Spring County | $700 | $916 | $1,174 | $1,284 | +4.1% |
| Howard County | $695 | $909 | $1,084 | $1,195 | +2.9% |
| Independence County | $740 | $934 | $1,221 | $1,228 | +4.8% |
| Izard County | $725 | $909 | $1,259 | $1,519 | +3.3% |
| Jackson County | $695 | $909 | $1,172 | $1,195 | +3.3% |
| Jefferson County | $787 | $955 | $1,239 | $1,266 | +1.9% |
| Johnson County | $695 | $909 | $1,136 | $1,274 | +2.8% |
| Lafayette County | $835 | $909 | $1,083 | $1,274 | +3.3% |
| Lawrence County | $695 | $909 | $1,174 | $1,519 | +3.3% |
| Lee County | $695 | $909 | $1,259 | $1,519 | +3.3% |
| Lincoln County | $695 | $909 | $1,259 | $1,274 | +3.3% |
| Little River County | $695 | $909 | $1,259 | $1,374 | +3.3% |
| Logan County | $835 | $909 | $1,197 | $1,518 | +3.3% |
| Lonoke County | $969 | $1,121 | $1,504 | $1,810 | -2.3% |
| Madison County | $1,056 | $1,256 | $1,739 | $2,099 | -6.8% |
| Marion County | $734 | $915 | $1,151 | $1,283 | +0.8% |
| Miller County | $874 | $1,118 | $1,403 | $1,683 | +1.5% |
| Mississippi County | $695 | $909 | $1,173 | $1,259 | +3.3% |
| Monroe County | $695 | $909 | $1,083 | $1,274 | +3.3% |
| Montgomery County | $835 | $909 | $1,183 | $1,274 | +3.3% |
| Nevada County | $731 | $956 | $1,139 | $1,340 | +4.9% |
| Newton County | $835 | $909 | $1,083 | $1,519 | +3.3% |
| Ouachita County | $721 | $909 | $1,192 | $1,274 | +3.3% |
| Perry County | $969 | $1,121 | $1,504 | $1,810 | -2.3% |
| Phillips County | $695 | $909 | $1,259 | $1,367 | +3.3% |
| Pike County | $835 | $909 | $1,259 | $1,302 | +3.3% |
| Poinsett County | $695 | $909 | $1,190 | $1,195 | +3.3% |
| Polk County | $759 | $909 | $1,083 | $1,232 | +1.3% |
| Pope County | $725 | $948 | $1,278 | $1,283 | +1.1% |
| Prairie County | $695 | $909 | $1,174 | $1,274 | +3.3% |
| Pulaski County | $969 | $1,121 | $1,504 | $1,810 | -2.3% |
| Randolph County | $695 | $909 | $1,259 | $1,274 | +3.3% |
| Saline County | $969 | $1,121 | $1,504 | $1,810 | -2.3% |
| Scott County | $695 | $909 | $1,133 | $1,274 | +3.3% |
| Searcy County | $701 | $909 | $1,259 | $1,274 | +3.3% |
| Sebastian County | $748 | $979 | $1,324 | $1,625 | +4.5% |
| Sevier County | $695 | $909 | $1,121 | $1,240 | +3.3% |
| Sharp County | $695 | $909 | $1,259 | $1,493 | +3.3% |
| St. Francis County | $722 | $944 | $1,149 | $1,282 | +2.3% |
| Stone County | $700 | $916 | $1,268 | $1,284 | +0.8% |
| Union County | $739 | $962 | $1,146 | $1,349 | +4.2% |
| Van Buren County | $727 | $909 | $1,258 | $1,274 | +3.3% |
| Washington County | $1,056 | $1,256 | $1,739 | $2,099 | -6.8% |
| White County | $779 | $948 | $1,238 | $1,246 | +7.7% |
| Woodruff County | $835 | $909 | $1,194 | $1,274 | +3.3% |
| Yell County | $733 | $909 | $1,240 | $1,350 | +3.3% |
Where the Limit Moved Most From FY2026 to FY2027
Biggest increases (2-bedroom):
| County | FY2026 | FY2027 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| White County | $880 | $948 | +7.7% |
| Calhoun County | $1,011 | $1,084 | +7.2% |
| Clark County | $880 | $928 | +5.5% |
| Carroll County | $954 | $1,005 | +5.3% |
| Nevada County | $911 | $956 | +4.9% |
Biggest cuts (2-bedroom):
| County | FY2026 | FY2027 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Benton County | $1,347 | $1,256 | -6.8% |
| Madison County | $1,347 | $1,256 | -6.8% |
| Washington County | $1,347 | $1,256 | -6.8% |
| Grant County | $968 | $909 | -6.1% |
| Faulkner County | $1,147 | $1,121 | -2.3% |
Two rules soften these swings: HUD will not let an FMR fall more than 10% in a year, and a housing authority can hold its payment standard anywhere up to 110% of the new figure. A cut shows up first in new leases and rent-increase requests, not in a lease already signed.
Where a Voucher Beats the Market in Arkansas
Comparing HUD's 2-bedroom limit to Zillow's observed rent in the same ZIP code shows where a voucher actually stretches. No Arkansas metro with enough data has a positive median: Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway comes closest, with the typical ZIP's limit -12.5% against market rent and 23% of its ZIPs above the going rent; Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers is the hardest at -18.1%. "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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | 31 | -12.5% | 23% |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | 18 | -18.1% | 6% |
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.
.jpg){kind=link}
The Largest Housing Authorities in Arkansas
The largest voucher programs in Arkansas, by vouchers administered. Each publishes its own payment standard table, usually a one-page PDF under its Housing Choice Voucher section:
- Housing Authority of the City of Little Rock (Little Rock), about 3,200 vouchers, (501) 340-4821
- North Little Rock Housing Authority (North Little Rock), about 2,400 vouchers, (501) 758-8911
- White River Regional Housing Authority (Melbourne), about 1,900 vouchers, (870) 368-5200
- the Housing Authority of the City of Fort Smi (Fort Smith), about 1,800 vouchers, (479) 782-4991
- Jonesboro Urban Renewal Ha (Jonesboro), about 1,300 vouchers, (870) 935-9800
- Housing Authority of the City of Pine Bluff (Pine Bluff), about 1,100 vouchers, (870) 536-2074
- Hot Springs Housing Authority (Hot Springs), about 1,100 vouchers, (501) 321-4711
- Housing Authority of the City of Texarkana (Texarkana), about 1,100 vouchers, (870) 773-7691
Can a Landlord Refuse a Voucher in Arkansas?
Yes, in most of the state. Arkansas 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 Arkansas? It depends on the county. HUD's FY2027 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent runs from $909 in Ashley County to $1,301 in Crittenden County, with a median county of $909. 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 Arkansas county has the highest Section 8 rent limit? Crittenden County, at $1,301 for a 2-bedroom ($1,717 for a 3-bedroom) in FY2027. The lowest is Ashley County at $909.
Did Section 8 rent limits go up in Arkansas for FY2027? Mostly yes: the 2-bedroom figure rose in 65 counties, fell in 10, and held in 0. The biggest increase was White County (+7.7%). The biggest cut was Benton County (-6.8%).
Can a landlord refuse Section 8 in Arkansas? Yes, in most of the state. Arkansas 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 Arkansas authorities are listed above with phone numbers.
See also our Arkansas Section 8 overview; metro guides for Little Rock, Fayetteville; the national 2-bedroom table for the 40 largest metros; HUD's FY2027 FMR dataset.
Holding a voucher in Arkansas? Browse voucher-friendly listings by ZIP code and bedroom size.
Arkansas 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
Related Articles
Section 8 Rent Limits in District of Columbia for FY2027: Fair Market Rent for Every County
HUD's FY2027 2-bedroom rent limit in District of Columbia runs from $2,438 (District of Columbia) to $2,438 (District of Columbia), median $2,438. Every county's figure by bedroom size, what changed from FY2026, the largest housing authorities, and the voucher law.
5 min readSection 8 Rent Limits in Hawaii for FY2027: Fair Market Rent for Every County
HUD's FY2027 2-bedroom rent limit in Hawaii runs from $2,081 (Hawaii County) to $2,656 (Maui County), median $2,326. Every county's figure by bedroom size, what changed from FY2026, the largest housing authorities, and the voucher law.
6 min readSection 8 Rent Limits in Delaware for FY2027: Fair Market Rent for Every County
HUD's FY2027 2-bedroom rent limit in Delaware runs from $1,498 (Sussex County) to $1,860 (New Castle County), median $1,629. Every county's figure by bedroom size, what changed from FY2026, the largest housing authorities, and the voucher law.
6 min readSection 8 Rent Limits in Alaska for FY2027: Fair Market Rent for Every County
HUD's FY2027 2-bedroom rent limit in Alaska runs from $1,030 (Kusilvak Census Area) to $2,394 (Aleutians West Census Area), median $1,504. Every county's figure by bedroom size, what changed from FY2026, the largest housing authorities, and the voucher law.
8 min readSection 8 Rent Limits in Utah for FY2027: Fair Market Rent for Every County
HUD's FY2027 2-bedroom rent limit in Utah runs from $1,014 (Carbon County) to $2,153 (Summit County), median $1,158. Every county's figure by bedroom size, what changed from FY2026, the largest housing authorities, and the voucher law.
9 min readSection 8 Rent Limits in Oregon for FY2027: Fair Market Rent for Every County
HUD's FY2027 2-bedroom rent limit in Oregon runs from $1,014 (Baker County) to $1,893 (Deschutes County), median $1,318. Every county's figure by bedroom size, what changed from FY2026, the largest housing authorities, and the voucher law.
9 min read