Section 8 Rent Limits in Florida for 2026: Fair Market Rent for Every County
What Section 8 pays in Florida depends on the county. HUD sets a Fair Market Rent for each of the state's 67 counties (grouped into 30 metro and non-metro FMR areas), and every housing authority in Florida builds its payment standard from that figure. For fiscal year 2027, the 2-bedroom FMR runs from $953 in Calhoun County to $2,564 in Miami-Dade County, more than double. The statewide median county sits at $1,474.
Year over year, 25 of the 67 counties with figures in both years went up and 42 went down. Martin County had the biggest jump, $1,757 to $2,069 (+17.8%). Suwannee County took the biggest cut, $1,110 to $999 (-10.0%). Eight metros in Florida are on HUD's mandatory Small Area FMR list (Fort Lauderdale, FL; Jacksonville, FL; Miami-Miami Beach-Kendall, FL; North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL; Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL; Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL; Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL; West Palm Beach-Boca Raton, FL), 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 Florida
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baker County, FL | $921 | $933 | $1,110 | $1,537 | $1,702 | +0.6% |
| Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL | $1,555 | $1,564 | $1,835 | $2,373 | $2,615 | -6.4% |
| Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL | $1,421 | $1,706 | $1,908 | $2,616 | $3,189 | +6.9% |
| Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL | $1,258 | $1,363 | $1,673 | $2,204 | $2,403 | -1.6% |
| Fort Lauderdale, FL (ZIP-level) | $1,759 | $1,902 | $2,321 | $3,172 | $3,662 | -0.5% |
| Gainesville, FL | $1,197 | $1,241 | $1,471 | $1,806 | $1,933 | -1.5% |
| Homosassa Springs, FL | $985 | $988 | $1,194 | $1,653 | $1,993 | -2.5% |
| Jacksonville, FL (ZIP-level) | $1,401 | $1,421 | $1,694 | $2,077 | $2,594 | +2.2% |
| Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL | $1,258 | $1,338 | $1,608 | $2,212 | $2,688 | +7.4% |
| Levy County, FL | $683 | $824 | $954 | $1,176 | $1,254 | -2.1% |
| Miami-Miami Beach-Kendall, FL (ZIP-level) | $1,953 | $2,121 | $2,564 | $3,277 | $3,749 | +5.3% |
| Naples-Marco Island, FL | $1,418 | $1,870 | $2,036 | $2,584 | $2,815 | +2.5% |
| North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL (ZIP-level) | $1,749 | $1,876 | $2,188 | $2,775 | $3,309 | +11.7% |
| Ocala, FL | $1,194 | $1,201 | $1,394 | $1,836 | $1,925 | +1.5% |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL (ZIP-level) | $1,658 | $1,726 | $1,959 | $2,445 | $2,856 | -0.7% |
| Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL (ZIP-level) | $1,327 | $1,525 | $1,779 | $2,382 | $2,707 | +4.1% |
| Palm Coast, FL | $1,326 | $1,376 | $1,758 | $2,361 | $2,581 | -2.7% |
| Panama City, FL | $1,414 | $1,517 | $1,651 | $2,101 | $2,567 | -1.8% |
| Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL | $1,154 | $1,359 | $1,548 | $2,034 | $2,435 | +5.2% |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | $1,707 | $1,718 | $2,069 | $2,801 | $2,924 | +17.8% |
| Punta Gorda, FL | $1,097 | $1,204 | $1,575 | $2,137 | $2,556 | +7.1% |
| Sebastian-Vero Beach-West Vero Corridor, FL | $1,171 | $1,179 | $1,542 | $1,882 | $2,577 | -3.9% |
| Sebring, FL | $877 | $1,022 | $1,259 | $1,500 | $1,905 | -0.9% |
| Tallahassee, FL | $1,186 | $1,264 | $1,424 | $1,742 | $1,871 | +5.3% |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL (ZIP-level) | $1,597 | $1,648 | $1,917 | $2,448 | $2,977 | -3.0% |
| Wakulla County, FL | $1,073 | $1,140 | $1,283 | $1,529 | $1,686 | +7.0% |
| Walton County, FL | $1,123 | $1,354 | $1,474 | $2,041 | $2,464 | +8.1% |
| Washington County, FL | $896 | $955 | $1,040 | $1,243 | $1,479 | +2.3% |
| West Palm Beach-Boca Raton, FL (ZIP-level) | $1,907 | $2,008 | $2,349 | $3,052 | $3,523 | +4.2% |
| Wildwood-The Villages, FL | $1,092 | $1,139 | $1,324 | $1,606 | $1,904 | -0.3% |
FY2027 Fair Market Rents for Every County in Florida
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alachua County | $1,241 | $1,471 | $1,806 | $1,933 | -1.5% |
| Baker County | $933 | $1,110 | $1,537 | $1,702 | +0.6% |
| Bay County | $1,517 | $1,651 | $2,101 | $2,567 | -1.8% |
| Bradford County | $920 | $1,008 | $1,290 | $1,692 | -10.0% |
| Brevard County | $1,525 | $1,779 | $2,382 | $2,707 | +4.1% |
| Broward County | $1,902 | $2,321 | $3,172 | $3,662 | -0.5% |
| Calhoun County | $875 | $953 | $1,248 | $1,252 | -2.1% |
| Charlotte County | $1,204 | $1,575 | $2,137 | $2,556 | +7.1% |
| Citrus County | $988 | $1,194 | $1,653 | $1,993 | -2.5% |
| Clay County | $1,421 | $1,694 | $2,077 | $2,594 | +2.2% |
| Collier County | $1,870 | $2,036 | $2,584 | $2,815 | +2.5% |
| Columbia County | $931 | $1,187 | $1,422 | $1,571 | -9.9% |
| DeSoto County | $954 | $1,089 | $1,497 | $1,679 | -9.9% |
| Dixie County | $872 | $1,041 | $1,373 | $1,378 | -9.9% |
| Duval County | $1,421 | $1,694 | $2,077 | $2,594 | +2.2% |
| Escambia County | $1,359 | $1,548 | $2,034 | $2,435 | +5.2% |
| Flagler County | $1,376 | $1,758 | $2,361 | $2,581 | -2.7% |
| Franklin County | $953 | $1,068 | $1,408 | $1,413 | -9.9% |
| Gadsden County | $1,264 | $1,424 | $1,742 | $1,871 | +5.3% |
| Gilchrist County | $1,241 | $1,471 | $1,806 | $1,933 | -1.5% |
| Glades County | $1,006 | $1,127 | $1,365 | $1,493 | -10.0% |
| Gulf County | $1,168 | $1,532 | $1,837 | $2,028 | -10.0% |
| Hamilton County | $872 | $953 | $1,223 | $1,256 | -2.9% |
| Hardee County | $958 | $1,124 | $1,522 | $1,885 | -9.9% |
| Hendry County | $970 | $1,144 | $1,411 | $1,688 | -10.0% |
| Hernando County | $1,648 | $1,917 | $2,448 | $2,977 | -3.0% |
| Highlands County | $1,022 | $1,259 | $1,500 | $1,905 | -0.9% |
| Hillsborough County | $1,648 | $1,917 | $2,448 | $2,977 | -3.0% |
| Holmes County | $885 | $971 | $1,281 | $1,285 | -9.9% |
| Indian River County | $1,179 | $1,542 | $1,882 | $2,577 | -3.9% |
| Jackson County | $733 | $962 | $1,264 | $1,273 | -9.9% |
| Jefferson County | $1,264 | $1,424 | $1,742 | $1,871 | +5.3% |
| Lafayette County | $1,063 | $1,191 | $1,428 | $1,577 | -10.0% |
| Lake County | $1,726 | $1,959 | $2,445 | $2,856 | -0.7% |
| Lee County | $1,564 | $1,835 | $2,373 | $2,615 | -6.4% |
| Leon County | $1,264 | $1,424 | $1,742 | $1,871 | +5.3% |
| Levy County | $824 | $954 | $1,176 | $1,254 | -2.1% |
| Liberty County | $872 | $975 | $1,340 | $1,636 | -10.0% |
| Madison County | $873 | $978 | $1,260 | $1,389 | -9.9% |
| Manatee County | $1,876 | $2,188 | $2,775 | $3,309 | +11.7% |
| Marion County | $1,201 | $1,394 | $1,836 | $1,925 | +1.5% |
| Martin County | $1,718 | $2,069 | $2,801 | $2,924 | +17.8% |
| Miami-Dade County | $2,121 | $2,564 | $3,277 | $3,749 | +5.3% |
| Monroe County | $1,990 | $2,254 | $2,973 | $2,984 | -10.0% |
| Nassau County | $1,421 | $1,694 | $2,077 | $2,594 | +2.2% |
| Okaloosa County | $1,706 | $1,908 | $2,616 | $3,189 | +6.9% |
| Okeechobee County | $929 | $1,212 | $1,485 | $1,604 | -10.0% |
| Orange County | $1,726 | $1,959 | $2,445 | $2,856 | -0.7% |
| Osceola County | $1,726 | $1,959 | $2,445 | $2,856 | -0.7% |
| Palm Beach County | $2,008 | $2,349 | $3,052 | $3,523 | +4.2% |
| Pasco County | $1,648 | $1,917 | $2,448 | $2,977 | -3.0% |
| Pinellas County | $1,648 | $1,917 | $2,448 | $2,977 | -3.0% |
| Polk County | $1,338 | $1,608 | $2,212 | $2,688 | +7.4% |
| Putnam County | $792 | $1,040 | $1,307 | $1,377 | -10.0% |
| Santa Rosa County | $1,359 | $1,548 | $2,034 | $2,435 | +5.2% |
| Sarasota County | $1,876 | $2,188 | $2,775 | $3,309 | +11.7% |
| Seminole County | $1,726 | $1,959 | $2,445 | $2,856 | -0.7% |
| St. Johns County | $1,421 | $1,694 | $2,077 | $2,594 | +2.2% |
| St. Lucie County | $1,718 | $2,069 | $2,801 | $2,924 | +17.8% |
| Sumter County | $1,139 | $1,324 | $1,606 | $1,904 | -0.3% |
| Suwannee County | $912 | $999 | $1,336 | $1,416 | -10.0% |
| Taylor County | $875 | $953 | $1,248 | $1,252 | -6.4% |
| Union County | $777 | $1,019 | $1,279 | $1,350 | -10.0% |
| Volusia County | $1,363 | $1,673 | $2,204 | $2,403 | -1.6% |
| Wakulla County | $1,140 | $1,283 | $1,529 | $1,686 | +7.0% |
| Walton County | $1,354 | $1,474 | $2,041 | $2,464 | +8.1% |
| Washington County | $955 | $1,040 | $1,243 | $1,479 | +2.3% |
Where the Limit Moved Most From FY2026 to FY2027
Biggest increases (2-bedroom):
| County | FY2026 | FY2027 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Martin County | $1,757 | $2,069 | +17.8% |
| St. Lucie County | $1,757 | $2,069 | +17.8% |
| Manatee County | $1,958 | $2,188 | +11.7% |
| Sarasota County | $1,958 | $2,188 | +11.7% |
| Walton County | $1,364 | $1,474 | +8.1% |
Biggest cuts (2-bedroom):
| County | FY2026 | FY2027 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suwannee County | $1,110 | $999 | -10.0% |
| Bradford County | $1,120 | $1,008 | -10.0% |
| Hendry County | $1,271 | $1,144 | -10.0% |
| Gulf County | $1,702 | $1,532 | -10.0% |
| Glades County | $1,252 | $1,127 | -10.0% |
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 Florida
A rent limit only matters against what landlords actually charge. We ran HUD's 2-bedroom figure against Zillow's observed rent for every ZIP with data in Florida. Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater comes out best, with the typical ZIP's limit +2.4% versus market and 55% of ZIPs above it; Naples-Marco Island is toughest at -29.2%. Positive means the voucher covers market rent in the typical ZIP.
| Metro | ZIPs with data | Median premium | ZIPs above market |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | 119 | +2.4% | 55% |
| Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL | 28 | +2.4% | 61% |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | 75 | +1.8% | 56% |
| Jacksonville, FL | 48 | -2.3% | 40% |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach, FL | 175 | -3.3% | 43% |
| North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton, FL | 37 | -6.2% | 38% |
| Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL | 22 | -8.6% | 23% |
| Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL | 23 | -9.9% | 35% |
| Ocala, FL | 16 | -15.5% | 0% |
| Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL | 27 | -16.6% | 15% |
| Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL | 17 | -18.3% | 12% |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | 18 | -25.3% | 6% |
| Naples-Marco Island, FL | 16 | -29.2% | 0% |
Landlords in the positive-premium metros are leaving money on the table by turning away vouchers; the authority's rent reasonableness check still applies, so you will be approved at market, not above it. The national ranking is in our voucher-vs-market analysis.
The Largest Housing Authorities in Florida
Which authority issued your voucher decides which payment standard applies. The biggest programs in the state:
- Miami Dade Housing and Community Development (Miami), about 22,000 vouchers, (786) 469-4106
- Tampa Housing Authority (Tampa), about 12,000 vouchers, (813) 341-9101
- Jacksonville Housing Authority (Jacksonville), about 8,500 vouchers, (904) 630-3810
- Broward County Housing Authority (Lauderdale Lakes), about 6,500 vouchers, (954) 739-1114
- Hialeah Housing Authority (Hialeah), about 5,900 vouchers, (305) 888-9744
- Orlando Housing Authority (Orlando), about 4,800 vouchers, (407) 895-3300
- West Palm Beach Housing Authority (West Palm Beach), about 4,100 vouchers, (561) 655-8530
- Pinellas County Housing Authority (Largo), about 4,000 vouchers, (727) 443-7684
Can a Landlord Refuse a Voucher in Florida?
Yes, in most of the state. Florida law blocks cities and counties from requiring landlords to accept vouchers (Florida HB 1417 (2023) preempts local tenant regulation; county source-of-income ordinances (Miami-Dade, Broward, Hillsborough, Orange, Pinellas) are of uncertain effect), so acceptance is voluntary and any local ordinance to the contrary is void.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Section 8 pay in Florida? It depends on the county. HUD's FY2027 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent runs from $953 in Calhoun County to $2,564 in Miami-Dade County, with a median county of $1,474. 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 Florida county has the highest Section 8 rent limit? Miami-Dade County, at $2,564 for a 2-bedroom ($3,277 for a 3-bedroom) in FY2027. The lowest is Calhoun County at $953.
Did Section 8 rent limits go up in Florida for FY2027? Mostly no: the 2-bedroom figure rose in 25 counties, fell in 42, and held in 0. The biggest increase was Martin County (+17.8%). The biggest cut was Suwannee County (-10.0%).
Can a landlord refuse Section 8 in Florida? Yes, in most of the state. Florida law blocks cities and counties from requiring landlords to accept vouchers (Florida HB 1417 (2023) preempts local tenant regulation; county source-of-income ordinances (Miami-Dade, Broward, Hillsborough, Orange, Pinellas) are of uncertain effect), so acceptance is voluntary and any local ordinance to the contrary is void.
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 Florida authorities are listed above with phone numbers.
See also our Florida Section 8 overview; ZIP-level payment standards for Miami; metro guides for Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville, North Port, Cape Coral, Lakeland, Deltona, Palm Bay; the national 2-bedroom table for the 40 largest metros; HUD's FY2027 FMR dataset.
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Holding a voucher in Florida? Browse voucher-friendly listings by ZIP code and bedroom size.
Florida landlord? List your property free. The table above is what a voucher tenant's authority can pay.
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