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

The tables below compare HUD’s FY2027 Fair Market Rent benchmarks across California. 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 Riverside, the authority’s currently published tenant-based schedule is effective July 1, 2025 and expressly excludes PBV. San Bernardino has a separate administrator and program policies. For local application guidance, use the Riverside city guide.

Compared with FY2026, the 2-bedroom figure rose in 30 counties and fell in 28. The largest increase was San Joaquin County ($1,742 to $2,015, +15.7%); the steepest cut was Ventura County ($2,693 to $2,424, -10.0%). Six metros in California are on HUD's mandatory Small Area FMR list (Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale, CA; Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA; Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA; San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA; San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA; Stockton-Lodi, CA). 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 California

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 California

All 58 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 California

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 California

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 California?

California’s Government Code section 12955 includes voucher assistance in source-of-income protections. For subsidized applicants, income screening uses the tenant’s rent portion, and the statute provides an option for lawful, verifiable alternative evidence in place of credit history. Applicable exemptions and the facts of the property still matter. Screening protections do not establish that a proposed unit has passed agency rent and inspection review.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Section 8 pay in California? 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 California county has the highest HUD two-bedroom benchmark in this table? Santa Cruz County, at $4,254 for a 2-bedroom ($5,531 for a 3-bedroom) in FY2027. The lowest is Modoc County at $1,084.

Did HUD FMR benchmarks go up in California for FY2027? Mostly yes: the 2-bedroom figure rose in 30 counties, fell in 28, and held in 0. The biggest increase was San Joaquin County (+15.7%). The biggest cut was Ventura County (-10.0%).

Can a landlord refuse Section 8 in California? California’s Government Code section 12955 includes voucher assistance in source-of-income protections. For subsidized applicants, income screening uses the tenant’s rent portion, and the statute provides an option for lawful, verifiable alternative evidence in place of credit history. Applicable exemptions and the facts of the property still matter. Screening protections do not establish that a proposed unit has passed agency rent and inspection review.

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 California Section 8 overview; local payment guidance for Los Angeles; metro guides for Riverside, San Francisco, San Diego, Sacramento, San Jose, Fresno, Bakersfield, Oxnard, Stockton; the national 2-bedroom table for the 40 largest metros; HUD's FY2027 FMR dataset.

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

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