Imperial County, CA: Fair Market Rent 2027 and Income Limits

Official HUD figures for landlords and renters, effective October 1, 2026 (rents) and May 1, 2026 (income limits).

$1,3472-bedroom FMR, FY2027

$1,0301-bedroom FMR, FY2027

$77,70080% income limit, family of 4 (FY2026)

$75,500Median family income (FY2026)

The FY2027 Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit in Imperial County is $1,347 a month, down 1.1% from $1,362 in FY2026. Imperial County belongs to the El Centro, CA MSA FMR area, so the same figures apply across that area. FMRs are gross rents: rent plus all tenant-paid utilities except phone, cable and internet.

Fair market rent in Imperial County by bedroom count

Unit size	FY2027 FMR	FY2026 FMR	Change	Payment standard range (90–110%)
Studio	$938	$939	−0.1%	$845 – $1,031
1 bedroom	$1,030	$1,038	−0.8%	$927 – $1,133
2 bedrooms	$1,347	$1,362	−1.1%	$1,213 – $1,481
3 bedrooms	$1,819	$1,845	−1.4%	$1,638 – $2,000
4 bedrooms	$2,251	$2,285	−1.5%	$2,026 – $2,476

Source: HUD Fair Market Rents FY2027 (effective October 1, 2026) and FY2026 (revised file), details.

What can a landlord charge a Section 8 tenant here?

The FMR is not a cap on what you can ask on the open market. For a Housing Choice Voucher tenant, the local housing authority sets a payment standard, normally between 90% and 110% of the FMR (or of the ZIP-level Small Area FMR where those apply). For a two-bedroom unit in Imperial County that is typically $1,213 to $1,481 including utilities. You can charge more than the payment standard if the rent passes the housing authority's rent-reasonableness test and, at move-in, the tenant's share stays within 40% of their adjusted monthly income. Ask the housing authority for its current payment standard schedule.

California has a statewide cap on rent increases. 5% plus regional inflation, never more than 10% in 12 months. For increases from Aug 1, 2026: 8.1% to 8.8% depending on the county. Calculate the maximum increase for California →

Can local renters afford the fair market rent?

$38,992median income of renter households

$1,056Median gross rent, all units

32%Rent-to-income ratio (median rent ÷ median renter income)

53%of renter households pay 30% or more of income on rent

At the 30% rule, a renter household earning the local median of $38,992 can afford about $975 a month including utilities. The FY2027 two-bedroom Fair Market Rent of $1,347 is $372 (38.2%) more than that. To rent a two-bedroom at the FMR, a household needs $53,880 a year under the 30% rule, or $48,492 under the common landlord rule that income must be three times the rent.

Imperial County, ACS 2020–2024	Estimate ± MOE
Median gross rent (rent + utilities)	$1,056 ±$30
Median income of renter households	$38,992 ±$2,428
Renters paying 30% or more of income (cost-burdened)	53.0% ±3.9
Renters paying 50% or more (severely cost-burdened)	28.0% ±2.9
Renter households (where the share can be computed)	20,053

Change since 2015–2019

	ACS 2015–2019	ACS 2020–2024	Change
Median gross rent	$830	$1,056	+27.2%
Median renter household income	$27,522	$38,992	+41.7%
Renters paying 30%+ of income	54.9%	53.0%	−1.9 pts

Rent-to-income calculator: does an applicant qualify? → · Most affordable counties to rent in this state →

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates 2020–2024 and 2015–2019 (tables B25064, B25119, B25070). ± = margin of error at 90% confidence. Dollar figures are not adjusted for inflation.

Small Area FMRs by ZIP code (FY2027)

In metro areas HUD also publishes ZIP-level Small Area Fair Market Rents. Housing authorities in designated areas must use them for voucher payment standards; others may opt in. Here the two-bedroom SAFMR ranges from $1,230 to $1,990 depending on the ZIP code.

All 20 ZIP codes in this FMR area

ZIP	0 BR	1 BR	2 BR	3 BR	4 BR
92004	$1,310	$1,410	$1,750	$2,340	$2,860
92222	$850	$940	$1,230	$1,670	$2,060
92225	$1,530	$1,600	$1,990	$2,630	$3,170
92227	$880	$970	$1,270	$1,720	$2,120
92231	$1,000	$1,100	$1,440	$1,940	$2,410
92232	$940	$1,030	$1,350	$1,820	$2,260
92233	$850	$940	$1,230	$1,670	$2,060
92243	$940	$1,030	$1,350	$1,820	$2,260
92244	$940	$1,030	$1,350	$1,820	$2,260
92249	$1,000	$1,100	$1,440	$1,940	$2,410
92250	$850	$940	$1,230	$1,670	$2,060
92251	$1,230	$1,350	$1,760	$2,380	$2,940
92257	$850	$940	$1,230	$1,670	$2,060
92259	$1,260	$1,370	$1,770	$2,380	$2,930
92266	$850	$940	$1,230	$1,670	$2,060
92273	$880	$970	$1,270	$1,720	$2,120
92274	$1,530	$1,600	$1,990	$2,630	$3,170
92275	$1,050	$1,150	$1,510	$2,040	$2,520
92281	$860	$940	$1,230	$1,670	$2,060
92283	$850	$940	$1,230	$1,670	$2,060

Source: HUD FY2027 Small Area FMRs (effective October 1, 2026).

HUD income limits for Imperial County (FY2026)

Income limits decide who qualifies for Section 8 vouchers, public housing and most HUD-assisted units. The area median family income is $75,500 (FY2025: $73,100, +3.3%). Small figures under each limit show the change from FY2025.

Household size	1 person	2 people	3 people	4 people	5 people	6 people	7 people	8 people
Extremely low income (30%)	$20,450 +3.5%	$23,350 +3.5%	$27,320 +2.5%	$33,000 +2.6%	$38,680 +2.7%	$44,360 +2.8%	$50,040 +2.9%	$55,720 +2.9%
Very low income (50%)	$34,000 +3.3%	$38,850 +3.3%	$43,700 +3.3%	$48,550 +3.4%	$52,450 +3.3%	$56,350 +3.4%	$60,250 +3.4%	$64,100 +3.4%
Low income (80%)	$54,400 +3.4%	$62,200 +3.5%	$69,950 +3.5%	$77,700 +3.5%	$83,950 +3.5%	$90,150 +3.4%	$96,350 +3.4%	$102,600 +3.5%

The 30% limit is HUD's “extremely low income” limit: the higher of 30% of median income or the federal poverty guideline, but never above the 50% limit. That is why it can rise faster than 30% of median for larger households. Tax-credit (LIHTC) properties use separate Multifamily Tax Subsidy Project limits.

Source: HUD Section 8 Income Limits FY2026 (effective May 1, 2026) and FY2025, details.