St. Thomas, VI: 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).
The FY2027 Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit in St. Thomas is $1,509 a month, up 2.9% from $1,467 in FY2026. St. Thomas belongs to the St. Thomas Island, VI 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 St. Thomas by bedroom count
| Unit size | FY2027 FMR | FY2026 FMR | Change | Payment standard range (90–110%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,054 | $1,024 | +2.9% | $949 – $1,159 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,223 | $1,189 | +2.9% | $1,101 – $1,345 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,509 | $1,467 | +2.9% | $1,359 – $1,659 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,809 | $1,759 | +2.8% | $1,629 – $1,989 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,983 | $1,942 | +2.1% | $1,785 – $2,181 |
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 St. Thomas that is typically $1,359 to $1,659 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.
HUD income limits for St. Thomas (FY2026)
Income limits decide who qualifies for Section 8 vouchers, public housing and most HUD-assisted units. The area median family income is $69,600 (FY2025: $67,900, +2.5%). 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%) | $18,550 −4.9% | $21,200 −4.9% | $23,850 −5.0% | $26,450 −5.0% | $28,600 −5.0% | $30,700 −5.1% | $32,800 −5.1% | $34,950 −5.0% |
| Very low income (50%) | $30,900 −4.8% | $35,300 −4.9% | $39,700 −4.9% | $44,100 −5.0% | $47,650 −4.9% | $51,200 −4.9% | $54,700 −5.0% | $58,250 −4.9% |
| Low income (80%) | $49,400 −5.0% | $56,450 −5.0% | $63,550 −4.9% | $70,550 −5.0% | $76,200 −5.0% | $81,850 −5.0% | $87,500 −5.0% | $93,150 −5.0% |
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.