Location: Sullivan County, NH | Metro: Hillsborough County, NH (part) HUD Metro FMR Area
Based on 1% Rule: A+ (≥1.5%) | A (≥1.2%) | B (≥1.0%) | C (≥0.8%) | D (≥0.6%) | F (<0.6%)
| Unit Size | Monthly FMR |
|---|---|
| Studio | $1,350 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,480 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,940 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $2,500 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $2,920 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $3,387 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $3,793 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $4,096 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $4,301 |
Zillow median home prices vs Section 8 FMR rates (Data: 2026-07-31)
| Bedrooms | Monthly FMR | Median Price | 1% Rule | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1BR | $1,480 | $235,803 | 0.63% | D |
| 2BR | $1,940 | $368,135 | 0.53% | F |
| 3BR | $2,500 | $447,554 | 0.56% | F |
| 4BR | $2,920 | $579,682 | 0.5% | F |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
The economics of Section 8 in ZIP code 03280, located in Washington, NH, within Sullivan County, are straightforward. The SAFMR (Small Area Fair Market Rent) for a two-bedroom apartment in this specific ZIP code is set at $1760 per month for fiscal year 2024. This is the maximum amount that the housing authority will reimburse a landlord for a unit of this size.
Local market rent, according to the Census ACS, averages $1,106 per month for a similar unit. However, the SAFMR is higher because it reflects the cost of renting in the area, adjusted for local conditions. This means landlords can expect a higher reimbursement rate compared to the average local rental price.
A voucher holder typically pays 30% of their adjusted income towards rent. For simplicity, let's assume an adjusted income that would make the tenant portion exactly 30% of the SAFMR. In this case, the tenant would pay $528 towards the rent ($1760 * 0.30). The remaining $1232 would be covered by the Section 8 program, which is the difference between the SAFMR and the tenant’s payment.
In addition to the base rent, there are utility allowances. These vary based on the type of utilities included in the lease. If the lease includes all utilities, the allowance might add another $200-$300 per month to the total reimbursement. Let's use an average utility allowance of $250. This brings the total reimbursement to approximately $1482 per month.
Given the local market rent of $1,106, landlords participating in the Section 8 program in ZIP 03280 can expect a surplus when renting a two-bedroom unit. The surplus is calculated by subtracting the local market rent from the total reimbursement. In this scenario, the surplus would be around $376 per month.
This surplus compensates landlords for the administrative and regulatory aspects of participating in the Section 8 program. It ensures that landlords receive a fair rate for their property, even if it exceeds the average local rental price.
To summarize, landlords should understand that the SAFMR of $1760 for a two-bedroom apartment in ZIP 03280 represents the maximum reimbursement they can receive. With a typical tenant contribution of $528 and a utility allowance of $250, the total reimbursement comes to $1482. Given the local market rent of $1,106, landlords can expect a surplus of about $376 per month.
Data Sources: FMR data from HUD (2027). Median home prices from Zillow (2026-07-31). Demographics from U.S. Census (2024).
About FMR: Fair Market Rent (FMR) is used to determine payment standards for the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program, initial renewal rents for some expiring project-based Section 8 contracts, and rent ceilings for HOME Investment Partnerships.