Location: Jackson, MS | Metro: Jackson, MS 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 | $1,180 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,180 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,380 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,640 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,810 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $2,100 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $2,352 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $2,540 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $2,667 |
Zillow median home prices vs Section 8 FMR rates (Data: 2026-08-31)
| Bedrooms | Monthly FMR | Median Price | 1% Rule | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $1,380 | $155,465 | 0.89% | C |
| 3BR | $1,640 | $231,788 | 0.71% | D |
| 4BR | $1,810 | $378,127 | 0.48% | F |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
The economics of Section 8 housing in ZIP code 39216, located in Jackson, Mississippi, within Hinds County, are straightforward. For a two-bedroom apartment, the SAFMR (Small Area Fair Market Rent) is set at $1,150 per month for FY 2024. This figure represents the maximum amount that the Housing Choice Voucher program will pay for rent in this specific ZIP code. Local market rent, as indicated by ZORI (Zillow Observed Rent Index), is slightly higher at $1,281 per month.
A landlord participating in the Section 8 program should understand how the reimbursement works. The total rent is split into two parts: the tenant's portion and the government's portion. Typically, the tenant is responsible for paying 30% of their adjusted income towards rent. If we assume an average adjusted income for a tenant in this area, they would contribute approximately $345 per month to the rent.
The government then covers the remaining balance up to the SAFMR limit. In this case, it would be $1,150 - $345 = $805. However, the government also includes utility allowances in the reimbursement. For ZIP 39216, the utility allowance is generally around $200 per month. Thus, the total reimbursement a landlord receives for a two-bedroom unit would be $805 + $200 = $1,005.
This means that if the market rent is $1,281 and the reimbursement is $1,005, there is a $276 shortfall per month for the landlord. Conversely, if the landlord charges exactly the SAFMR rate of $1,150, there is no shortfall, but the landlord also does not benefit from the higher market rents. Therefore, landlords must carefully consider the economic implications when deciding whether to accept Section 8 vouchers for their properties in ZIP 39216.
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.