Mason 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).

$1,5722-bedroom FMR, FY2027

$1,2021-bedroom FMR, FY2027

$86,10080% income limit, family of 4 (FY2026)

$107,600Median family income (FY2026)

The FY2027 Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit in Mason County is $1,572 a month, up 16.1% from $1,354 in FY2026. Mason County belongs to the Mason 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 Mason County by bedroom count

Unit size	FY2027 FMR	FY2026 FMR	Change	Payment standard range (90–110%)
Studio	$1,147	$1,030	+11.4%	$1,033 – $1,261
1 bedroom	$1,202	$1,032	+16.5%	$1,082 – $1,322
2 bedrooms	$1,572	$1,354	+16.1%	$1,415 – $1,729
3 bedrooms	$2,177	$1,883	+15.6%	$1,960 – $2,394
4 bedrooms	$2,320	$2,097	+10.6%	$2,088 – $2,552

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 Mason County that is typically $1,415 to $1,729 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?

$53,978median income of renter households

$1,285Median gross rent, all units

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

47%of renter households pay 30% or more of income on rent

At the 30% rule, a renter household earning the local median of $53,978 can afford about $1,349 a month including utilities. The FY2027 two-bedroom Fair Market Rent of $1,572 is $223 (16.5%) more than that. To rent a two-bedroom at the FMR, a household needs $62,880 a year under the 30% rule, or $56,592 under the common landlord rule that income must be three times the rent.

Mason County, ACS 2020–2024	Estimate ± MOE
Median gross rent (rent + utilities)	$1,285 ±$99
Median income of renter households	$53,978 ±$7,915
Renters paying 30% or more of income (cost-burdened)	46.6% ±3.6
Renters paying 50% or more (severely cost-burdened)	27.0% ±4.7
Renter households (where the share can be computed)	3,882

Change since 2015–2019

	ACS 2015–2019	ACS 2020–2024	Change
Median gross rent	$988	$1,285	+30.1%
Median renter household income	$37,337	$53,978	+44.6%
Renters paying 30%+ of income	50.0%	46.6%	−3.4 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 Mason County (FY2026)

Income limits decide who qualifies for Section 8 vouchers, public housing and most HUD-assisted units. The area median family income is $107,600 (FY2025: $104,300, +3.2%). 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%)	$22,650 +7.6%	$25,850 +7.5%	$29,100 +7.6%	$33,000 +2.6%	$38,680 +2.7%	$44,360 +2.8%	$50,040 +2.9%	$55,720 +2.9%
Very low income (50%)	$37,700 +7.4%	$43,050 +7.5%	$48,450 +7.4%	$53,800 +7.4%	$58,150 +7.4%	$62,450 +7.4%	$66,750 +7.4%	$71,050 +7.4%
Low income (80%)	$60,300 +7.4%	$68,900 +7.4%	$77,500 +7.4%	$86,100 +7.4%	$93,000 +7.4%	$99,900 +7.4%	$106,800 +7.4%	$113,700 +7.5%

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.