Section 8 Rent Limits in Ohio for FY2027: Fair Market Rent for Every County
What Section 8 pays in Ohio depends on the county. HUD sets a Fair Market Rent for each of the state's 88 counties (grouped into 21 metro and non-metro FMR areas), and every housing authority in Ohio builds its payment standard from that figure. For fiscal year 2027, the 2-bedroom FMR runs from $1,003 in Adams County to $1,607 in Union County, about half again as much. The statewide median county sits at $1,047.
Year over year, 75 of the 88 counties with figures in both years went up and 13 went down. Union County had the biggest jump, $1,433 to $1,607 (+12.1%). Carroll County took the biggest cut, $1,086 to $1,049 (-3.4%). Five metros in Ohio are on HUD's mandatory Small Area FMR list (Akron, OH; Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN; Cleveland, OH; Columbus, OH; Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH), 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 Ohio
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Akron, OH (ZIP-level) | $886 | $952 | $1,231 | $1,474 | $1,618 | -2.9% |
| Ashtabula County, OH | $698 | $810 | $1,003 | $1,225 | $1,402 | -3.3% |
| Brown County, OH | $844 | $849 | $1,030 | $1,425 | $1,722 | +2.2% |
| Canton-Massillon, OH | $734 | $827 | $1,049 | $1,327 | $1,421 | -3.4% |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN (ZIP-level) | $1,052 | $1,128 | $1,442 | $1,897 | $2,141 | +6.6% |
| Cleveland, OH (ZIP-level) | $924 | $1,050 | $1,274 | $1,628 | $1,756 | -0.4% |
| Columbus, OH (ZIP-level) | $1,258 | $1,346 | $1,602 | $1,909 | $2,172 | +12.0% |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH (ZIP-level) | $909 | $1,008 | $1,248 | $1,623 | $1,774 | -2.0% |
| Erie County, OH | $927 | $977 | $1,221 | $1,531 | $1,702 | +10.4% |
| Hocking County, OH | $799 | $848 | $1,018 | $1,386 | $1,478 | +4.6% |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $858 | $864 | $1,006 | $1,287 | $1,393 | +3.4% |
| Lima, OH | $895 | $901 | $1,179 | $1,418 | $1,571 | +6.4% |
| Mansfield, OH | $721 | $822 | $1,035 | $1,370 | $1,595 | +6.4% |
| Ottawa County, OH | $869 | $924 | $1,209 | $1,441 | $1,923 | +9.3% |
| Perry County, OH | $854 | $859 | $1,006 | $1,267 | $1,609 | +3.4% |
| Springfield, OH | $808 | $887 | $1,160 | $1,434 | $1,648 | +4.9% |
| Toledo, OH | $822 | $875 | $1,145 | $1,461 | $1,558 | +6.4% |
| Union County, OH | $1,119 | $1,228 | $1,607 | $1,915 | $2,112 | +12.1% |
| Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH | $771 | $776 | $1,007 | $1,298 | $1,514 | +3.5% |
| Wheeling, WV-OH | $703 | $822 | $1,009 | $1,300 | $1,436 | +1.8% |
| Youngstown-Warren, OH | $755 | $801 | $1,003 | $1,295 | $1,374 | +3.1% |
FY2027 Fair Market Rents for Every County in Ohio
All 88 counties, alphabetical. Studio figures are in the metro table above.
| County | 1 BR | 2 BR | 3 BR | 4 BR | 2 BR vs FY2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adams County | $849 | $1,003 | $1,251 | $1,318 | +3.1% |
| Allen County | $901 | $1,179 | $1,418 | $1,571 | +6.4% |
| Ashland County | $846 | $1,003 | $1,340 | $1,443 | +3.1% |
| Ashtabula County | $810 | $1,003 | $1,225 | $1,402 | -3.3% |
| Athens County | $992 | $1,129 | $1,415 | $1,484 | +3.4% |
| Auglaize County | $777 | $1,016 | $1,407 | $1,603 | +1.6% |
| Belmont County | $822 | $1,009 | $1,300 | $1,436 | +1.8% |
| Brown County | $849 | $1,030 | $1,425 | $1,722 | +2.2% |
| Butler County | $1,128 | $1,442 | $1,897 | $2,141 | +6.6% |
| Carroll County | $827 | $1,049 | $1,327 | $1,421 | -3.4% |
| Champaign County | $830 | $1,047 | $1,361 | $1,473 | +0.1% |
| Clark County | $887 | $1,160 | $1,434 | $1,648 | +4.9% |
| Clermont County | $1,128 | $1,442 | $1,897 | $2,141 | +6.6% |
| Clinton County | $843 | $1,071 | $1,386 | $1,694 | +4.1% |
| Columbiana County | $793 | $1,003 | $1,290 | $1,318 | +3.1% |
| Coshocton County | $878 | $1,003 | $1,248 | $1,676 | +3.1% |
| Crawford County | $841 | $1,003 | $1,322 | $1,327 | +3.1% |
| Cuyahoga County | $1,050 | $1,274 | $1,628 | $1,756 | -0.4% |
| Darke County | $832 | $1,003 | $1,350 | $1,352 | +3.1% |
| Defiance County | $851 | $1,017 | $1,215 | $1,511 | +3.8% |
| Delaware County | $1,346 | $1,602 | $1,909 | $2,172 | +12.0% |
| Erie County | $977 | $1,221 | $1,531 | $1,702 | +10.4% |
| Fairfield County | $1,346 | $1,602 | $1,909 | $2,172 | +12.0% |
| Fayette County | $874 | $1,017 | $1,302 | $1,460 | +2.5% |
| Franklin County | $1,346 | $1,602 | $1,909 | $2,172 | +12.0% |
| Fulton County | $875 | $1,145 | $1,461 | $1,558 | +6.4% |
| Gallia County | $898 | $1,003 | $1,320 | $1,676 | +3.1% |
| Geauga County | $1,050 | $1,274 | $1,628 | $1,756 | -0.4% |
| Greene County | $1,008 | $1,248 | $1,623 | $1,774 | -2.0% |
| Guernsey County | $767 | $1,003 | $1,339 | $1,621 | +3.1% |
| Hamilton County | $1,128 | $1,442 | $1,897 | $2,141 | +6.6% |
| Hancock County | $909 | $1,189 | $1,546 | $1,752 | +5.5% |
| Hardin County | $878 | $1,003 | $1,288 | $1,448 | +3.1% |
| Harrison County | $767 | $1,003 | $1,333 | $1,338 | +3.1% |
| Henry County | $816 | $1,011 | $1,350 | $1,690 | +3.0% |
| Highland County | $902 | $1,003 | $1,195 | $1,525 | +3.1% |
| Hocking County | $848 | $1,018 | $1,386 | $1,478 | +4.6% |
| Holmes County | $767 | $1,003 | $1,250 | $1,318 | +3.1% |
| Huron County | $789 | $1,003 | $1,258 | $1,535 | +3.1% |
| Jackson County | $772 | $1,003 | $1,246 | $1,333 | +3.1% |
| Jefferson County | $776 | $1,007 | $1,298 | $1,514 | +3.5% |
| Knox County | $927 | $1,136 | $1,444 | $1,498 | +5.4% |
| Lake County | $1,050 | $1,274 | $1,628 | $1,756 | -0.4% |
| Lawrence County | $864 | $1,006 | $1,287 | $1,393 | +3.4% |
| Licking County | $1,346 | $1,602 | $1,909 | $2,172 | +12.0% |
| Logan County | $813 | $1,064 | $1,268 | $1,398 | +3.6% |
| Lorain County | $1,050 | $1,274 | $1,628 | $1,756 | -0.4% |
| Lucas County | $875 | $1,145 | $1,461 | $1,558 | +6.4% |
| Madison County | $1,346 | $1,602 | $1,909 | $2,172 | +12.0% |
| Mahoning County | $801 | $1,003 | $1,295 | $1,374 | +3.1% |
| Marion County | $828 | $1,083 | $1,290 | $1,423 | +1.8% |
| Medina County | $1,050 | $1,274 | $1,628 | $1,756 | -0.4% |
| Meigs County | $767 | $1,003 | $1,195 | $1,529 | +3.1% |
| Mercer County | $807 | $1,008 | $1,258 | $1,394 | +2.1% |
| Miami County | $1,008 | $1,248 | $1,623 | $1,774 | -2.0% |
| Monroe County | $767 | $1,003 | $1,313 | $1,318 | +3.1% |
| Montgomery County | $1,008 | $1,248 | $1,623 | $1,774 | -2.0% |
| Morgan County | $888 | $1,003 | $1,195 | $1,396 | +3.1% |
| Morrow County | $1,346 | $1,602 | $1,909 | $2,172 | +12.0% |
| Muskingum County | $867 | $1,003 | $1,355 | $1,496 | +3.1% |
| Noble County | $767 | $1,003 | $1,309 | $1,396 | +2.0% |
| Ottawa County | $924 | $1,209 | $1,441 | $1,923 | +9.3% |
| Paulding County | $767 | $1,003 | $1,319 | $1,676 | +3.1% |
| Perry County | $859 | $1,006 | $1,267 | $1,609 | +3.4% |
| Pickaway County | $1,346 | $1,602 | $1,909 | $2,172 | +12.0% |
| Pike County | $825 | $1,079 | $1,300 | $1,418 | +10.6% |
| Portage County | $952 | $1,231 | $1,474 | $1,618 | -2.9% |
| Preble County | $767 | $1,003 | $1,332 | $1,412 | +3.1% |
| Putnam County | $837 | $1,095 | $1,305 | $1,452 | +4.0% |
| Richland County | $822 | $1,035 | $1,370 | $1,595 | +6.4% |
| Ross County | $920 | $1,093 | $1,399 | $1,436 | +3.4% |
| Sandusky County | $838 | $1,003 | $1,233 | $1,324 | +3.1% |
| Scioto County | $817 | $1,003 | $1,347 | $1,495 | +3.1% |
| Seneca County | $808 | $1,057 | $1,267 | $1,389 | +5.0% |
| Shelby County | $823 | $1,076 | $1,446 | $1,485 | +4.2% |
| Stark County | $827 | $1,049 | $1,327 | $1,421 | -3.4% |
| Summit County | $952 | $1,231 | $1,474 | $1,618 | -2.9% |
| Trumbull County | $801 | $1,003 | $1,295 | $1,374 | +3.1% |
| Tuscarawas County | $845 | $1,106 | $1,373 | $1,619 | +8.1% |
| Union County | $1,228 | $1,607 | $1,915 | $2,112 | +12.1% |
| Van Wert County | $795 | $1,003 | $1,261 | $1,358 | +3.1% |
| Vinton County | $767 | $1,003 | $1,195 | $1,396 | +3.1% |
| Warren County | $1,128 | $1,442 | $1,897 | $2,141 | +6.6% |
| Washington County | $814 | $1,003 | $1,359 | $1,521 | +3.1% |
| Wayne County | $846 | $1,082 | $1,310 | $1,530 | +3.9% |
| Williams County | $780 | $1,003 | $1,294 | $1,318 | +3.1% |
| Wood County | $875 | $1,145 | $1,461 | $1,558 | +6.4% |
| Wyandot County | $789 | $1,005 | $1,302 | $1,323 | +3.3% |
Where the Limit Moved Most From FY2026 to FY2027
Biggest increases (2-bedroom):
| County | FY2026 | FY2027 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Union County | $1,433 | $1,607 | +12.1% |
| Delaware County | $1,430 | $1,602 | +12.0% |
| Fairfield County | $1,430 | $1,602 | +12.0% |
| Franklin County | $1,430 | $1,602 | +12.0% |
| Licking County | $1,430 | $1,602 | +12.0% |
Biggest cuts (2-bedroom):
| County | FY2026 | FY2027 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carroll County | $1,086 | $1,049 | -3.4% |
| Stark County | $1,086 | $1,049 | -3.4% |
| Ashtabula County | $1,037 | $1,003 | -3.3% |
| Portage County | $1,268 | $1,231 | -2.9% |
| Summit County | $1,268 | $1,231 | -2.9% |
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 Ohio
Comparing HUD's 2-bedroom limit to Zillow's observed rent in the same ZIP code shows where a voucher actually stretches. No Ohio metro with enough data has a positive median: Akron comes closest, with the typical ZIP's limit -1.9% against market rent and 36% of its ZIPs above the going rent; Cleveland-Elyria is the hardest at -8.5%. "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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Akron, OH | 28 | -1.9% | 36% |
| Dayton-Kettering, OH | 32 | -4.9% | 34% |
| Columbus, OH | 54 | -5.4% | 37% |
| Toledo, OH | 18 | -7.2% | 22% |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | 61 | -7.4% | 26% |
| Cleveland-Elyria, OH | 60 | -8.5% | 22% |
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 Ohio
Which authority issued your voucher decides which payment standard applies. The biggest programs in the state:
- Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA) (Cleveland), about 16,000 vouchers, (216) 348-5000, cmha.net (waitlist reported closed, details)
- Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority (Columbus), about 15,000 vouchers, (614) 421-6000
- Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing Authority (Cincinnati), about 12,000 vouchers, (513) 977-5661
- Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority (Akron), about 5,400 vouchers, (330) 762-9631
- Greater Dayton Premier Management (Dayton), about 4,900 vouchers, (937) 910-7500
- Lucas Metropolitan Housing Authority (Toledo), about 4,700 vouchers, (419) 259-9439
- Lorain Metropolitan Housing Authority (Lorain), about 3,200 vouchers, (440) 288-1600
- Butler Metropolitian Housing Authority (Hamilton), about 3,100 vouchers, (513) 896-4411
Can a Landlord Refuse a Voucher in Ohio?
Yes, in most of the state. Ohio has a source-of-income law (No statewide source-of-income law (Ohio Civil Rights Act, R.C. 4112.02(H), does not cover vouchers)), but it does not cover housing vouchers, so a landlord can decline one unless a local ordinance says otherwise. Local ordinances that do cover vouchers: Akron, Cincinnati, Cleveland Heights, Columbus, Dayton, South Euclid, Toledo, University Heights.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Section 8 pay in Ohio? It depends on the county. HUD's FY2027 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent runs from $1,003 in Adams County to $1,607 in Union County, with a median county of $1,047. 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 Ohio county has the highest Section 8 rent limit? Union County, at $1,607 for a 2-bedroom ($1,915 for a 3-bedroom) in FY2027. The lowest is Adams County at $1,003.
Did Section 8 rent limits go up in Ohio for FY2027? Mostly yes: the 2-bedroom figure rose in 75 counties, fell in 13, and held in 0. The biggest increase was Union County (+12.1%). The biggest cut was Carroll County (-3.4%).
Can a landlord refuse Section 8 in Ohio? Yes, in most of the state. Ohio has a source-of-income law (No statewide source-of-income law (Ohio Civil Rights Act, R.C. 4112.02(H), does not cover vouchers)), but it does not cover housing vouchers, so a landlord can decline one unless a local ordinance says otherwise. Local ordinances that do cover vouchers: Akron, Cincinnati, Cleveland Heights, Columbus, Dayton, South Euclid, Toledo, University Heights.
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 Ohio authorities are listed above with phone numbers.
See also our Ohio Section 8 overview; metro guides for Cincinnati, Columbus, Cleveland, Dayton, Akron, Toledo; the national 2-bedroom table for the 40 largest metros; HUD's FY2027 FMR dataset.
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Holding a voucher in Ohio? Browse voucher-friendly listings by ZIP code and bedroom size.
Ohio landlord? List your property free. The table above is what a voucher tenant's authority can pay.
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