Location: Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | Metro: Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA MSA
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 | $1,530 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,600 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,990 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $2,630 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $3,170 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $3,677 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $4,118 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $4,447 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $4,669 |
Zillow median home prices vs Section 8 FMR rates (Data: 2026-07-31)
| Bedrooms | Monthly FMR | Median Price | 1% Rule | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $1,990 | $315,180 | 0.63% | D |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
The economics of Section 8 housing in ZIP 92401, located in San Bernardino, CA, within San Bernardino County, can be dissected into several key components. The SAFMR (Section 8 Area Fair Market Rent) for a two-bedroom apartment in this specific ZIP code for FY 2024 is set at $1580. This figure represents the maximum amount that HUD (Department of Housing and Urban Development) will pay landlords for a two-bedroom rental unit.
However, it's important to understand that the actual reimbursement to landlords is not always the full SAFMR amount. The reimbursement is calculated based on the lower of three values: the SAFMR, 90% of the market rent for comparable units, or the gross rent of the unit being rented under the voucher program. In ZIP 92401, the local market rent for a two-bedroom apartment, according to Census ACS data, runs at $1097. Given this scenario, the reimbursement would typically be capped at $1097, which is below the SAFMR.
To further clarify, let's break down the reimbursement process. The tenant is responsible for paying 30% of their adjusted income towards rent. For instance, if a tenant has an adjusted income of $1000 per month, they would pay $300 towards rent. The remainder, up to the SAFMR or market rent cap, is covered by the voucher. Additionally, there are utility allowances that vary but generally cover a portion of the tenant's utility costs, which are also reimbursed by the voucher program.
In ZIP 92401, given the SAFMR of $1580 and the local market rent of $1097, landlords will receive a reimbursement closer to the market rent figure. If we assume a tenant pays $300 based on their income, the voucher would cover the difference between the tenant's payment and the market rent, which is $797 in this case. Therefore, the total reimbursement to the landlord would be around $1097, including any applicable utility allowances.
This setup leaves a potential reimbursement gap for landlords, as the SAFMR of $1580 is higher than the actual market rent of $1097. Landlords should expect a reimbursement that aligns more closely with the local market conditions rather than the SAFMR. Thus, in ZIP 92401, landlords will likely see a surplus of $797 when considering the total reimbursement versus the tenant's contribution, but this is still less than the SAFMR, indicating a gap between the SAFMR and the actual reimbursement received.
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.