Island 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).

$1,8242-bedroom FMR, FY2027

$1,4591-bedroom FMR, FY2027

$85,75080% income limit, family of 4 (FY2026)

$107,200Median family income (FY2026)

The FY2027 Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit in Island County is $1,824 a month, up 9.2% from $1,671 in FY2026. Island County belongs to the Island County, WA 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 Island County by bedroom count

Unit size	FY2027 FMR	FY2026 FMR	Change	Payment standard range (90–110%)
Studio	$1,270	$1,172	+8.4%	$1,143 – $1,397
1 bedroom	$1,459	$1,356	+7.6%	$1,314 – $1,604
2 bedrooms	$1,824	$1,671	+9.2%	$1,642 – $2,006
3 bedrooms	$2,501	$2,324	+7.6%	$2,251 – $2,751
4 bedrooms	$2,987	$2,733	+9.3%	$2,689 – $3,285

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 Island County that is typically $1,642 to $2,006 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?

$63,319median income of renter households

$1,662Median gross rent, all units

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

54%of renter households pay 30% or more of income on rent

At the 30% rule, a renter household earning the local median of $63,319 can afford about $1,583 a month including utilities. The FY2027 two-bedroom Fair Market Rent of $1,824 is $241 (15.2%) more than that. To rent a two-bedroom at the FMR, a household needs $72,960 a year under the 30% rule, or $65,664 under the common landlord rule that income must be three times the rent.

Island County, ACS 2020–2024	Estimate ± MOE
Median gross rent (rent + utilities)	$1,662 ±$53
Median income of renter households	$63,319 ±$2,985
Renters paying 30% or more of income (cost-burdened)	53.7% ±4.9
Renters paying 50% or more (severely cost-burdened)	23.8% ±3.6
Renter households (where the share can be computed)	8,482

Change since 2015–2019

	ACS 2015–2019	ACS 2020–2024	Change
Median gross rent	$1,218	$1,662	+36.5%
Median renter household income	$48,750	$63,319	+29.9%
Renters paying 30%+ of income	49.3%	53.7%	+4.4 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.

HUD income limits for Island County (FY2026)

Income limits decide who qualifies for Section 8 vouchers, public housing and most HUD-assisted units. The area median family income is $107,200 (FY2025: $112,300, −4.5%). 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%)	$22,550 −3.6%	$25,750 −3.7%	$28,950 −3.8%	$33,000 −1.2%	$38,680 +2.7%	$44,360 +2.8%	$50,040 +2.9%	$55,720 +2.9%
Very low income (50%)	$37,550 −3.6%	$42,900 −3.7%	$48,250 −3.7%	$53,600 −3.8%	$57,900 −3.7%	$62,200 −3.8%	$66,500 −3.7%	$70,800 −3.7%
Low income (80%)	$60,050 −3.8%	$68,600 −3.8%	$77,200 −3.7%	$85,750 −3.8%	$92,650 −3.7%	$99,500 −3.8%	$106,350 −3.8%	$113,200 −3.8%

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.