Cowlitz County, WA: 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).

$1,3982-bedroom FMR, FY2027

$1,1241-bedroom FMR, FY2027

$83,35080% income limit, family of 4 (FY2026)

$106,700Median family income (FY2026)

The FY2027 Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit in Cowlitz County is $1,398 a month, down 3.7% from $1,451 in FY2026. Cowlitz County belongs to the Longview-Kelso, WA 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 Cowlitz County by bedroom count

Unit size	FY2027 FMR	FY2026 FMR	Change	Payment standard range (90–110%)
Studio	$974	$1,000	−2.6%	$877 – $1,071
1 bedroom	$1,124	$1,199	−6.3%	$1,012 – $1,236
2 bedrooms	$1,398	$1,451	−3.7%	$1,259 – $1,537
3 bedrooms	$1,936	$2,018	−4.1%	$1,743 – $2,129
4 bedrooms	$2,337	$2,434	−4.0%	$2,104 – $2,570

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 Cowlitz County that is typically $1,259 to $1,537 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.

Washington has a statewide cap on rent increases. 7% plus inflation, never more than 10% in 12 months. 2026: 9.683%. 2027: 10%. Calculate the maximum increase for Washington →

Can local renters afford the fair market rent?

$49,904median income of renter households

$1,206Median gross rent, all units

29%Rent-to-income ratio (median rent ÷ median renter income)

49%of renter households pay 30% or more of income on rent

At the 30% rule, a renter household earning the local median of $49,904 can afford about $1,248 a month including utilities. The FY2027 two-bedroom Fair Market Rent of $1,398 is $150 (12.1%) more than that. To rent a two-bedroom at the FMR, a household needs $55,920 a year under the 30% rule, or $50,328 under the common landlord rule that income must be three times the rent.

Cowlitz County, ACS 2020–2024	Estimate ± MOE
Median gross rent (rent + utilities)	$1,206 ±$39
Median income of renter households	$49,904 ±$2,936
Renters paying 30% or more of income (cost-burdened)	49.3% ±4.1
Renters paying 50% or more (severely cost-burdened)	25.0% ±2.7
Renter households (where the share can be computed)	13,276

Change since 2015–2019

	ACS 2015–2019	ACS 2020–2024	Change
Median gross rent	$854	$1,206	+41.2%
Median renter household income	$33,492	$49,904	+49.0%
Renters paying 30%+ of income	51.7%	49.3%	−2.4 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 $1,310 to $2,020 depending on the ZIP code.

All 12 ZIP codes in this FMR area

ZIP	0 BR	1 BR	2 BR	3 BR	4 BR
98581	$1,060	$1,200	$1,520	$2,060	$2,440
98601	$1,420	$1,510	$1,730	$2,360	$2,800
98603	$1,140	$1,260	$1,500	$2,060	$2,490
98609	$970	$1,130	$1,400	$1,940	$2,340
98611	$1,040	$1,250	$1,510	$2,090	$2,520
98616	$1,640	$1,760	$2,020	$2,740	$3,300
98625	$1,080	$1,230	$1,510	$2,080	$2,510
98626	$970	$1,130	$1,400	$1,940	$2,340
98632	$1,010	$1,170	$1,450	$2,010	$2,420
98645	$1,040	$1,250	$1,510	$2,090	$2,520
98649	$900	$1,080	$1,310	$1,820	$2,200
98674	$1,420	$1,510	$1,760	$2,430	$2,930

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

HUD income limits for Cowlitz County (FY2026)

Income limits decide who qualifies for Section 8 vouchers, public housing and most HUD-assisted units. The area median family income is $106,700 (FY2025: $85,500, +24.8%). 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%)	$21,900 +9.8%	$25,000 +9.6%	$28,150 +5.6%	$33,000 +2.6%	$38,680 +2.7%	$44,360 +2.8%	$50,040 +2.9%	$55,720 +2.9%
Very low income (50%)	$36,500 +9.9%	$41,700 +9.9%	$46,900 +9.8%	$52,100 +9.9%	$56,300 +10.0%	$60,450 +9.9%	$64,650 +9.9%	$68,800 +9.9%
Low income (80%)	$58,350 +9.9%	$66,700 +9.9%	$75,050 +9.9%	$83,350 +9.9%	$90,050 +9.9%	$96,700 +9.9%	$103,400 +9.9%	$110,050 +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.