DeSoto County, FL: 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).

$1,0892-bedroom FMR, FY2027

$9541-bedroom FMR, FY2027

$62,60080% income limit, family of 4 (FY2026)

$65,800Median family income (FY2026)

The FY2027 Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit in DeSoto County is $1,089 a month, down 9.9% from $1,209 in FY2026. DeSoto County belongs to the DeSoto County, FL FMR area (non-metro county), 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 DeSoto County by bedroom count

Unit size	FY2027 FMR	FY2026 FMR	Change	Payment standard range (90–110%)
Studio	$948	$1,053	−10.0%	$854 – $1,042
1 bedroom	$954	$1,060	−10.0%	$859 – $1,049
2 bedrooms	$1,089	$1,209	−9.9%	$981 – $1,197
3 bedrooms	$1,497	$1,663	−10.0%	$1,348 – $1,646
4 bedrooms	$1,679	$1,865	−10.0%	$1,512 – $1,846

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 DeSoto County that is typically $981 to $1,197 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.

Can local renters afford the fair market rent?

$35,579median income of renter households

$932Median gross rent, all units

31%Rent-to-income ratio (median rent ÷ median renter income)

46%of renter households pay 30% or more of income on rent

At the 30% rule, a renter household earning the local median of $35,579 can afford about $889 a month including utilities. The FY2027 two-bedroom Fair Market Rent of $1,089 is $200 (22.4%) more than that. To rent a two-bedroom at the FMR, a household needs $43,560 a year under the 30% rule, or $39,204 under the common landlord rule that income must be three times the rent.

DeSoto County, ACS 2020–2024	Estimate ± MOE
Median gross rent (rent + utilities)	$932 ±$57
Median income of renter households	$35,579 ±$9,388
Renters paying 30% or more of income (cost-burdened)	46.0% ±10.0
Renters paying 50% or more (severely cost-burdened)	25.8% ±9.1
Renter households (where the share can be computed)	3,038

Change since 2015–2019

	ACS 2015–2019	ACS 2020–2024	Change
Median gross rent	$687	$932	+35.7%
Median renter household income	$24,231	$35,579	+46.8%
Renters paying 30%+ of income	59.9%	46.0%	−13.9 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.

HUD income limits for DeSoto County (FY2026)

Income limits decide who qualifies for Section 8 vouchers, public housing and most HUD-assisted units. The area median family income is $65,800 (FY2025: $64,400, +2.2%). 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%)	$16,450 +5.1%	$21,640 +2.3%	$27,320 +2.5%	$33,000 +2.6%	$38,680 +2.7%	$44,360 +7.4%	$48,550 +10.0%	$51,700 +10.0%
Very low income (50%)	$27,400 +9.8%	$31,350 +10.0%	$35,250 +10.0%	$39,150 +10.0%	$42,250 +9.9%	$45,400 +9.9%	$48,550 +10.0%	$51,700 +10.0%
Low income (80%)	$43,850 +9.9%	$50,100 +9.9%	$56,350 +9.8%	$62,600 +9.9%	$67,650 +9.9%	$72,650 +9.9%	$77,650 +9.9%	$82,650 +9.9%

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.