Location: Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC | Metro: Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD 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 | $2,400 |
| 1 Bedroom | $2,500 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $2,770 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $3,530 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $4,160 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $4,826 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $5,405 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $5,837 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $6,129 |
Zillow median home prices vs Section 8 FMR rates (Data: 2026-08-31)
| Bedrooms | Monthly FMR | Median Price | 1% Rule | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1BR | $2,500 | $355,105 | 0.7% | D |
| 2BR | $2,770 | $680,905 | 0.41% | F |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
The economics of Section 8 housing in ZIP code 20036, located in Washington, DC, within District of Columbia County, are straightforward. The SAFMR (Small Area Fair Market Rent) for a two-bedroom apartment in this specific ZIP code for FY 2024 is set at $2330. This is slightly below the local market rent, which is currently running at $2,395 according to ZORI (Zillow Observed Rent Index).
When a landlord participates in the Section 8 program, they receive a voucher payment from the Housing Authority. This payment covers the difference between the tenant's portion of the rent and the total rent amount. For a two-bedroom unit, the tenant is expected to pay approximately 30% of their income towards rent. If we assume an average income for a tenant, the tenant’s portion might be around $700, depending on their specific income level.
In addition to the base rent, the voucher also includes utility allowances. These allowances vary but typically add about $100-$200 to the total reimbursement. Therefore, the total reimbursement a landlord would receive from the Housing Authority could range from $2330 to $2430, assuming the utility allowance is on the higher end of the spectrum.
This means that if you are a landlord in ZIP 20036 and you set your rent at the local market rate of $2,395, you would have a reimbursement gap of around $65. Conversely, if you set your rent at the SAFMR rate of $2330, you would have a surplus of around $65 when compared to the local market rent.
To summarize, the typical reimbursement gap or surplus for a two-bedroom apartment in ZIP 20036 is approximately $65. Landlords should carefully consider these numbers when deciding whether to participate in the Section 8 program and setting their rental rates accordingly.
Data Sources: FMR data from HUD (2027). Median home prices from Zillow (2026-08-31). 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.