Section 8 Fair Market Rent (FMR) for ZIP 85716 - 2027
Location: Tucson, AZ | Metro: Tucson, AZ MSA
Investment Score for ZIP 85716
F
Monthly Rent (2BR)
$1,340
Median Price (2BR)
$253,024
Based on 1% Rule: A+ (≥1.5%) | A (≥1.2%) | B (≥1.0%) | C (≥0.8%) | D (≥0.6%) | F (<0.6%)
FY 2027 Fair Market Rent Rates
| Unit Size |
Monthly FMR |
| Studio | $930 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,040 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,340 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,860 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $2,110 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $2,448 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $2,742 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $2,961 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $3,109 |
Investment Analysis by Bedroom Size
Zillow median home prices vs Section 8 FMR rates (Data: 2026-07-31)
| Bedrooms |
Monthly FMR |
Median Price |
1% Rule |
Grade |
| 1BR |
$1,040 |
$178,276 |
0.58% |
F |
| 2BR |
$1,340 |
$253,024 |
0.53% |
F |
| 3BR |
$1,860 |
$374,419 |
0.5% |
F |
| 4BR |
$2,110 |
$532,191 |
0.4% |
F |
| 5BR |
$2,448 |
$698,574 |
0.35% |
F |
Demographics & Housing Statistics
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
Median Household Income
$49,061
To determine if a landlord should invest in ZIP 85716 (Tucson, AZ) for Section 8 properties, follow this decision tree:
- Does the Fair Market Rent (FMR) of $1280 cover the debt service on a property valued at $312,728?
- If yes: The FMR of $1280 is sufficient to meet the monthly mortgage payment based on typical financing terms. This makes the ZIP code financially viable for Section 8 investments.
- If no: The FMR of $1280 does not cover the debt service on a property valued at $312,728. Landlords should consider other ZIP codes where FMR can adequately support the monthly mortgage payment.
- Is the market rent ($1,236 ZORI) above, at, or below the FMR?
- If above: Market rent at $1,236 exceeds the FMR of $1280, indicating that landlords might be able to charge higher rents outside of Section 8, but they must also consider the potential demand for Section 8 properties.
- If at or below: Market rent aligns with or falls below the FMR, making it more challenging to generate additional income beyond what is covered by the Section 8 program. Landlords should focus on the stability provided by the government-backed rental payments.
- Are 61.6% of residents renters and is the Days on Market (DOM) of 28 days sufficient to indicate strong demand?
- If yes: With 61.6% of residents being renters and a DOM of 28 days, there is a high demand for rental properties in ZIP 85716. This suggests that landlords can expect a steady stream of tenants, particularly those eligible for Section 8 assistance.
- If no: Even if the percentage of renters is high, a longer DOM could suggest that demand is not as robust as initially thought. Landlords should evaluate other factors such as vacancy rates and the competition for Section 8 tenants before deciding to invest.
Based on these criteria, landlords should assess whether the financial viability, market conditions, and tenant demand align with their investment goals in ZIP 85716.
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.