Every Fair Market Rent area gets not one figure but five — one per bedroom size. Understanding how they relate helps voucher holders and landlords pick the right benchmark.
FMR is HUD’s 40th-percentile gross-rent benchmark. Verify on huduser.gov.
The five sizes and the FY2026 national medians
| Unit size | National median FMR / mo |
|---|---|
| Studio / efficiency | $752 |
| 1-bedroom | $801 |
| 2-bedroom | $975 |
| 3-bedroom | $1,303 |
| 4-bedroom | $1,493 |
The 2-bedroom is the anchor: HUD estimates it directly from American Community Survey rents, then derives the other sizes using national bedroom-ratio factors. That is why, in most areas, the studio and 1-bedroom FMRs are close together while 3- and 4-bedroom figures step up sharply.
Where the jump is biggest
The ratio of the 4-bedroom FMR to the studio FMR varies by area. The largest multiples among big metros:
| Metro area | Studio | 4 BR | 4BR ÷ studio |
|---|---|---|---|
| El Paso, TX | $821 | $1,998 | 2.43× |
| Albuquerque, NM | $1,009 | $2,399 | 2.38× |
| Urban Honolulu, HI | $1,877 | $4,432 | 2.36× |
| Tucson, AZ | $967 | $2,245 | 2.32× |
See the full biggest-bedroom-jump ranking for all the largest metros.
Why it matters for vouchers
Your voucher payment standard is set per bedroom size, and the bedroom size you qualify for depends on household composition (the PHA’s occupancy standards), not the unit you want. A family approved for a 3-bedroom uses the 3-bedroom payment standard even if they rent a 2-bedroom. See how Section 8 uses FMR.
Look up the full bedroom-by-bedroom table for your metro or state, or check your rent against the right size in the calculator.