Location: Cleveland, OH | Metro: Cleveland, 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 | $1,390 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,570 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,910 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $2,440 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $2,630 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $3,051 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $3,417 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $3,690 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $3,875 |
Zillow median home prices vs Section 8 FMR rates (Data: 2026-07-31)
| Bedrooms | Monthly FMR | Median Price | 1% Rule | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1BR | $1,570 | $172,304 | 0.91% | C |
| 2BR | $1,910 | $309,805 | 0.62% | D |
| 3BR | $2,440 | $391,702 | 0.62% | D |
| 4BR | $2,630 | $315,713 | 0.83% | C |
| 5BR | $3,051 | $315,726 | 0.97% | C |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
The economics of Section 8 in ZIP code 44113, located in Cleveland, Ohio, within Cuyahoga County, revolve around the SAFMR (Small Area Fair Market Rent) which is specifically set for this ZIP code. For a two-bedroom apartment, the SAFMR for FY 2024 is $1620. This figure represents the maximum amount that the housing authority will pay on behalf of eligible tenants under the Section 8 program.
The local market rent, as indicated by ZORI (Zillow Observed Rent Index), is slightly higher at $1661. This suggests that landlords can expect some variance between the market rent and the SAFMR when renting to Section 8 tenants.
A landlord participating in the Section 8 program receives a subsidy based on the SAFMR minus 30% of the tenant's income, plus any applicable utility allowances. If the tenant’s portion is calculated as 30% of their adjusted monthly income, then the landlord would receive the remainder up to the SAFMR cap. Utility allowances vary but typically add a few hundred dollars to the total reimbursement, depending on the specifics of the voucher and the tenant’s needs.
To illustrate, if a tenant has an adjusted monthly income of $1,000, their portion of the rent would be $300 (30% of $1,000). The housing authority would cover the difference up to the SAFMR of $1620. Thus, the landlord would receive $1320 from the housing authority plus the tenant’s $300 payment, totaling $1620. If there are additional utility allowances, these would also be included in the reimbursement.
The SAFMR being set at the ZIP level means it reflects the rental market conditions specifically within ZIP code 44113, providing a more accurate representation of local rents compared to a broader metro or county-level figure.
Given the SAFMR of $1620 and the local market rent of $1661, landlords can anticipate a reimbursement gap of $41 per month for a two-bedroom unit. This means the landlord would need to either accept a lower rental income or find ways to reduce operating costs to maintain profitability.
In summary, landlords in ZIP 44113 should understand that the Section 8 reimbursement is capped at $1620 for a two-bedroom apartment, which is below the current market rent. The reimbursement includes the tenant's portion and any utility allowances, leaving a shortfall of $41 per month for the landlord.
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.