How much does Section 8 pay for a 2-bedroom in ZIP 81253?

For ZIP 81253 in Custer County, CO, the FY2026 two-bedroom Small Area Fair Market Rent is $1,170 per month. Local housing authorities set the Section 8 payment standard between 90% and 110% of that, roughly $1,055 to $1,285 before the tenant's utility allowance.

What are the FY2026 Section 8 rent limits for ZIP 81253?

HUD's FY2026 Small Area Fair Market Rent for ZIP 81253, by bedroom size: studio $860, 1-bedroom $900, 2-bedroom $1,170, 3-bedroom $1,480, 4-bedroom $1,680. In SAFMR metros the ZIP-level figure, not the county average, is what applies to an address here.

Section 8 Rent in ZIP 81253

FY2026 Small Area Fair Market Rent for ZIP 81253 in Custer County, Colorado: the exact per-bedroom rents HUD publishes for this ZIP, the estimated payment-standard range, the housing authorities that administer vouchers here, and whether a landlord can legally decline a voucher in Colorado.

Studio

$860

1 BR

$900

2 BR

$1,170

3 BR

$1,480

4 BR

$1,680

Estimated payment standard range (2 BR)

Local PHAs set payment standards between 90% and 110% of FMR. Exact figures vary by PHA. The numbers below are the modeled range.

Low (90%)

$1,055

FMR (100%)

$1,170

High (110%)

$1,285

Gross rent before the tenant utility allowance. The PHA's published payment standard is the number that actually applies; verify with the PHA before signing a lease or HAP contract.

ZIP vs county FMR (2 BR)

ZIP 81253 at $1,170 is $58 higher than the Custer County county-wide 2 BR FMR of $1,112. In SAFMR metros the ZIP number is what actually applies to an address here, so a voucher stretches further in this ZIP than the county average suggests.

Can a landlord refuse Section 8 in ZIP 81253?

No. Colorado law prohibits landlords from refusing a renter because they pay with a Section 8 voucher. That protection applies in ZIP 81253. If you were turned away for having a voucher, that refusal may be illegal.

Colorado HB19-1170 bans SOI discrimination in housing statewide.

Informational only, not legal advice. Laws change, so verify current status before acting on a rejection or making a leasing decision.

Frequently asked questions

How much does Section 8 pay for a 2-bedroom in ZIP 81253?: For ZIP 81253 in Custer County, CO, the FY2026 two-bedroom Small Area Fair Market Rent is $1,170 per month. Local housing authorities set the Section 8 payment standard between 90% and 110% of that, roughly $1,055 to $1,285 before the tenant's utility allowance.
What are the FY2026 Section 8 rent limits for ZIP 81253?: HUD's FY2026 Small Area Fair Market Rent for ZIP 81253, by bedroom size: studio $860, 1-bedroom $900, 2-bedroom $1,170, 3-bedroom $1,480, 4-bedroom $1,680. In SAFMR metros the ZIP-level figure, not the county average, is what applies to an address here.

Find Section 8 apartments in ZIP 81253

VoucherMatch connects voucher holders with landlords who accept Section 8, and it is free for renters. Landlords: listings here reach applicants whose voucher already covers the rent above.

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Custer County overview All of Colorado

SAFMR data published by HUD for FY2026. ZIP 81253 maps to Custer County, CO · FIPS 08027. Investors can run these numbers in the RentalCalcs voucher analyzer.