How we calculate (sources)

Reviewed 19 Oct 2026. Independent tool — not HUD or a housing authority.

This page is the short record of what the Section 8 calculator does and does not do. Use it to check our math. Your Public Housing Authority (PHA) still sets the official numbers.

Who I am

I publish this site as an independent operator. I am not a PHA, a landlord, or a HUD contractor. Corrections: contact form.

Data we load

• Fair Market Rent: HUD FY2027 FMR (effective 1 Oct 2026), including Small Area FMR where HUD publishes it. Source: HUD USER FMR.
• Income limits: HUD FY2026 very-low and low-income limits by HUD entity (county or metro), household size. Source: HUD USER income limits.
• Geography: ZIP → city/county from Census/FCC lookups so we attach the right HUD area. City limits and PHA jurisdictions are not the same map.

Formulas

1. Adjusted income follows HUD deductions in 24 CFR 5.611, including HOTMA medical: unreimbursed medical costs above 10% of annual income for elderly (62+) or disabled families, plus the HUD elderly/disabled family allowance when you mark that box.
2. Total Tenant Payment (TTP) is the highest of four tests in 24 CFR 5.628: 30% of adjusted monthly income, 10% of gross monthly income, welfare-designated housing if you enter it, and PHA minimum rent (we use $50 if you leave that field blank).
3. Payment standard: your typed PHA amount if you enter one. If blank, we use 100% of HUD FMR as a fallback. That is not your voucher payment standard. PHAs often set 90–110% of FMR.
4. HAP if you enter rent to owner (and utilities or a written standard): lower of payment standard and gross rent, minus TTP (24 CFR 982.505).
5. 40% first lease-up: at initial occupancy, family share cannot exceed 40% of adjusted monthly income if gross rent is above the payment standard (24 CFR 982.508).

What we will not claim

• We do not issue vouchers, open waiting lists, or inspect units.
• We do not treat FMR as the official payment standard.
• We do not store a housing dossier from your ZIP or income.

Longer walkthroughs: HAP, income limits, disclaimer.