Location: Polk County, MO | Metro: Polk County, MO 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 | $770 |
| 1 Bedroom | $780 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $960 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,330 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,520 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $1,763 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $1,975 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $2,133 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $2,240 |
Zillow median home prices vs Section 8 FMR rates (Data: 2026-07-31)
| Bedrooms | Monthly FMR | Median Price | 1% Rule | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3BR | $1,330 | $273,925 | 0.49% | F |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
The economics of Section 8 housing in ZIP 65710 are straightforward. The SAFMR (Standard Area Fair Market Rent) for a two-bedroom apartment in this ZIP code for FY 2024 is set at $800. This means that landlords who participate in the Section 8 program can expect to receive a maximum reimbursement of $800 per month for a two-bedroom unit, which is specifically tailored to the conditions within ZIP 65710.
The local market rent for a two-bedroom apartment in ZIP 65710, according to Census ACS data, is currently at $820. This indicates that the market rent slightly exceeds the SAFMR, creating a scenario where landlords might need to consider the implications of participating in the Section 8 program versus renting to non-voucher tenants.
When a landlord receives a Section 8 tenant, the reimbursement structure works as follows: the tenant is responsible for paying approximately 30% of their adjusted monthly income towards rent. For the sake of this analysis, let's assume an average adjusted monthly income of $1,600 for a Section 8 household in ZIP 65710. In this case, the tenant would pay about $480 towards the rent. The remaining amount, up to the SAFMR, is covered by the housing authority. Therefore, the landlord would receive $320 from the housing authority to make up the difference between the tenant’s contribution and the SAFMR.
In addition to the base rent, there are utility allowances that vary based on the type of unit and the location. For ZIP 65710, the utility allowance for a two-bedroom apartment is typically around $200. This allowance is also paid by the housing authority directly to the landlord, bringing the total reimbursement to $520.
To summarize, a landlord in ZIP 65710 would receive $480 from the tenant and an additional $320 from the housing authority, plus a utility allowance of $200. This totals $1,000 when combining all sources. However, since the SAFMR is capped at $800, the actual reimbursement will be $800, leaving a gap of $20 between the market rent and the total reimbursement received by the landlord.
This means that landlords in ZIP 65710 will have a reimbursement gap of $20 for a two-bedroom apartment if they choose to rent to a Section 8 tenant. It is important to note that this gap could impact the profitability of the rental property, especially if maintenance and other costs are considered.
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.