Location: Columbus, OH | Metro: Columbus, OH 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 | $1,040 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,110 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,320 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,570 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,790 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $2,076 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $2,325 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $2,511 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $2,637 |
Zillow median home prices vs Section 8 FMR rates (Data: 2026-07-31)
| Bedrooms | Monthly FMR | Median Price | 1% Rule | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $1,320 | $233,317 | 0.57% | F |
| 3BR | $1,570 | $344,175 | 0.46% | F |
| 4BR | $1,790 | $397,180 | 0.45% | F |
| 5BR | $2,076 | $469,301 | 0.44% | F |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
The economics of Section 8 in ZIP code 43103, which encompasses Ashville, Ohio, in Pickaway County, revolve around the Specific Area Fair Market Rent (SAFMR) for a two-bedroom apartment, set at $1050 per month for fiscal year 2024. This SAFMR is specifically tailored for this ZIP code, meaning it reflects the rental rates unique to Ashville.
Local market rents in ZIP 43103, according to the Census American Community Survey (ACS), average $1,069 for a two-bedroom unit. This indicates that the SAFMR closely aligns with the actual market conditions, offering landlords a fair reimbursement rate.
A voucher holder under Section 8 will typically pay 30% of their adjusted monthly income towards rent. The remaining amount, up to the SAFMR, is covered by the housing authority. For instance, if a tenant's income is $1,500 per month, they would contribute $450 towards the rent. The housing authority would then cover the difference up to the SAFMR, which is $1050 in this case. Thus, the housing authority would reimburse the landlord $600.
In addition to the base rent, there are utility allowances. These vary but generally provide an extra $200-$300 per month to cover utilities, depending on the specific circumstances and the housing authority’s guidelines. If we assume an average utility allowance of $250, this brings the total reimbursement to $850.
This means that for a two-bedroom apartment in ZIP 43103, landlords can expect a total reimbursement of around $850 when accounting for the tenant's contribution and utility allowances. Given that the local market rent is slightly higher at $1,069, landlords would face a reimbursement gap of approximately $219 per month.
To summarize, landlords in ZIP 43103 who participate in the Section 8 program should anticipate a reimbursement of about $850 for a two-bedroom apartment, resulting in a small surplus if market rents are set below the SAFMR or a slight shortfall if rents are set above it. In this scenario, the gap is a minor $219, indicating that the SAFMR is well-calibrated to the local rental market.
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.