Location: Atascosa County, TX | Metro: San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX 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 | $920 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,020 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,210 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,570 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,770 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $2,053 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $2,299 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $2,483 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $2,607 |
Zillow median home prices vs Section 8 FMR rates (Data: 2026-08-31)
| Bedrooms | Monthly FMR | Median Price | 1% Rule | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3BR | $1,570 | $230,944 | 0.68% | D |
| 4BR | $1,770 | $265,811 | 0.67% | D |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
The economics of Section 8 in ZIP code 78073 are straightforward. For a two-bedroom apartment, the SAFMR (Small Area Fair Market Rent) is set at $1130 for fiscal year 2024. This figure represents the maximum amount that the Housing Choice Voucher program will pay for rent in this specific ZIP code.
In comparison, the local market rent for a two-bedroom unit in ZIP 78073 is slightly higher at $1,214, according to Census ACS data. This means that landlords participating in the Section 8 program will receive less than the market rate for their properties.
A voucher payment consists of two parts: the tenant's contribution and the utility allowance. Tenants are required to pay 30% of their adjusted income towards rent. If a tenant's adjusted income is $1,000 per month, they would contribute $300 towards the rent. The remaining amount up to the SAFMR of $1130 would be covered by the Section 8 program.
Utility allowances vary but typically cover a portion of the tenant's electricity, gas, water, and sewer costs. These allowances are not directly paid to the landlord but can affect the total reimbursement amount. Utility allowances are calculated based on the size of the household and the location, and they do not exceed the SAFMR limit.
To illustrate, if a landlord charges $1130 for a two-bedroom apartment, and the tenant contributes $300, the Section 8 program would cover the remaining $830. However, if the landlord charges more than $1130, the tenant still pays 30% of their income, but the program will only reimburse up to $1130. Any excess above this amount must be paid by the tenant.
In ZIP 78073, the typical reimbursement gap for a two-bedroom apartment is $84, given the market rent of $1,214 and the SAFMR of $1130. This means landlords might see a slight decrease in income compared to market rates when renting to tenants using Section 8 vouchers.
For landlords considering participation in the Section 8 program, it is important to understand these economics. While the reimbursement is lower than the market rate, the program ensures timely payments and stable tenancy, which can offset the financial gap.
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.