Gem County, ID: 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).

$1,0712-bedroom FMR, FY2027

$9691-bedroom FMR, FY2027

$70,40080% income limit, family of 4 (FY2026)

$79,100Median family income (FY2026)

The FY2027 Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit in Gem County is $1,071 a month, down 10.0% from $1,190 in FY2026. Gem County belongs to the Gem County, ID HUD Metro FMR Area 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 Gem County by bedroom count

Unit size	FY2027 FMR	FY2026 FMR	Change	Payment standard range (90–110%)
Studio	$776	$834	−7.0%	$699 – $853
1 bedroom	$969	$908	+6.7%	$873 – $1,065
2 bedrooms	$1,071	$1,190	−10.0%	$964 – $1,178
3 bedrooms	$1,461	$1,601	−8.7%	$1,315 – $1,607
4 bedrooms	$1,763	$1,882	−6.3%	$1,587 – $1,939

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 Gem County that is typically $964 to $1,178 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?

$56,111median income of renter households

$1,038Median gross rent, all units

22%Rent-to-income ratio (median rent ÷ median renter income)

41%of renter households pay 30% or more of income on rent

At the 30% rule, a renter household earning the local median of $56,111 can afford about $1,403 a month including utilities. The FY2027 two-bedroom Fair Market Rent of $1,071 is $332 (23.7%) less than that. To rent a two-bedroom at the FMR, a household needs $42,840 a year under the 30% rule, or $38,556 under the common landlord rule that income must be three times the rent.

Gem County, ACS 2020–2024	Estimate ± MOE
Median gross rent (rent + utilities)	$1,038 ±$89
Median income of renter households	$56,111 ±$9,867
Renters paying 30% or more of income (cost-burdened)	40.6% ±10.1
Renters paying 50% or more (severely cost-burdened)	9.2% ±5.7
Renter households (where the share can be computed)	1,587

Change since 2015–2019

	ACS 2015–2019	ACS 2020–2024	Change
Median gross rent	$745	$1,038	+39.3%
Median renter household income	$24,513	$56,111	+128.9%
Renters paying 30%+ of income	41.4%	40.6%	−0.8 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 $1,080 to $2,000 depending on the ZIP code.

All 8 ZIP codes in this FMR area

ZIP	0 BR	1 BR	2 BR	3 BR	4 BR
83607	$1,220	$1,370	$1,630	$2,260	$2,720
83616	$1,460	$1,680	$2,000	$2,800	$3,340
83617	$770	$960	$1,080	$1,450	$1,760
83629	$1,060	$1,260	$1,500	$2,090	$2,510
83636	$770	$960	$1,080	$1,450	$1,760
83655	$910	$920	$1,200	$1,660	$2,010
83657	$970	$1,060	$1,190	$1,640	$1,990
83670	$1,060	$1,260	$1,500	$2,090	$2,510

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

HUD income limits for Gem County (FY2026)

Income limits decide who qualifies for Section 8 vouchers, public housing and most HUD-assisted units. The area median family income is $79,100 (FY2025: $81,300, −2.7%). 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%)	$18,500 +4.2%	$21,640 +2.3%	$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%)	$30,800 +4.1%	$35,200 +4.1%	$39,600 +4.1%	$44,000 +4.1%	$47,550 +4.2%	$51,050 +4.2%	$54,600 +4.2%	$58,100 +4.1%
Low income (80%)	$49,300 +4.1%	$56,350 +4.2%	$63,400 +4.2%	$70,400 +4.1%	$76,050 +4.1%	$81,700 +4.1%	$87,300 +4.1%	$92,950 +4.1%

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.