Skagit 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).

$1,6682-bedroom FMR, FY2027

$1,2751-bedroom FMR, FY2027

$96,15080% income limit, family of 4 (FY2026)

$120,200Median family income (FY2026)

The FY2027 Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit in Skagit County is $1,668 a month, down 3.0% from $1,720 in FY2026. Skagit County belongs to the Mount Vernon-Anacortes, 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 Skagit County by bedroom count

Unit size	FY2027 FMR	FY2026 FMR	Change	Payment standard range (90–110%)
Studio	$1,162	$1,186	−2.0%	$1,046 – $1,278
1 bedroom	$1,275	$1,311	−2.7%	$1,148 – $1,402
2 bedrooms	$1,668	$1,720	−3.0%	$1,502 – $1,834
3 bedrooms	$2,310	$2,392	−3.4%	$2,079 – $2,541
4 bedrooms	$2,578	$2,599	−0.8%	$2,321 – $2,835

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 Skagit County that is typically $1,502 to $1,834 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?

$55,170median income of renter households

$1,536Median gross rent, all units

33%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 $55,170 can afford about $1,379 a month including utilities. The FY2027 two-bedroom Fair Market Rent of $1,668 is $289 (20.9%) more than that. To rent a two-bedroom at the FMR, a household needs $66,720 a year under the 30% rule, or $60,048 under the common landlord rule that income must be three times the rent.

Skagit County, ACS 2020–2024	Estimate ± MOE
Median gross rent (rent + utilities)	$1,536 ±$53
Median income of renter households	$55,170 ±$3,388
Renters paying 30% or more of income (cost-burdened)	54.2% ±3.5
Renters paying 50% or more (severely cost-burdened)	24.3% ±2.5
Renter households (where the share can be computed)	14,404

Change since 2015–2019

	ACS 2015–2019	ACS 2020–2024	Change
Median gross rent	$1,102	$1,536	+39.4%
Median renter household income	$44,186	$55,170	+24.9%
Renters paying 30%+ of income	48.9%	54.2%	+5.3 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 $1,550 to $2,240 depending on the ZIP code.

All 17 ZIP codes in this FMR area

ZIP	0 BR	1 BR	2 BR	3 BR	4 BR
98221	$1,350	$1,480	$1,940	$2,690	$3,000
98229	$1,560	$1,600	$1,960	$2,660	$3,270
98232	$1,350	$1,490	$1,950	$2,700	$2,940
98233	$1,230	$1,350	$1,770	$2,450	$2,740
98235	$1,090	$1,190	$1,550	$2,160	$2,400
98237	$1,320	$1,350	$1,620	$2,250	$2,710
98238	$1,070	$1,180	$1,550	$2,160	$2,340
98241	$1,620	$1,670	$1,950	$2,570	$2,990
98255	$1,200	$1,310	$1,700	$2,350	$2,640
98257	$1,070	$1,180	$1,550	$2,160	$2,340
98263	$1,200	$1,310	$1,700	$2,350	$2,640
98267	$1,070	$1,180	$1,550	$2,160	$2,340
98273	$1,070	$1,180	$1,550	$2,160	$2,340
98274	$1,340	$1,480	$1,930	$2,670	$2,980
98283	$1,320	$1,350	$1,620	$2,250	$2,710
98284	$1,320	$1,350	$1,700	$2,350	$2,710
98292	$1,840	$1,910	$2,240	$2,920	$3,470

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

HUD income limits for Skagit County (FY2026)

Income limits decide who qualifies for Section 8 vouchers, public housing and most HUD-assisted units. The area median family income is $120,200 (FY2025: $111,600, +7.7%). 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%)	$25,250 +9.8%	$28,850 +9.9%	$32,450 +9.8%	$36,050 +9.9%	$38,950 +3.5%	$44,360 +2.8%	$50,040 +2.9%	$55,720 +2.9%
Very low income (50%)	$42,050 +9.9%	$48,100 +9.9%	$54,100 +9.8%	$60,100 +9.9%	$64,950 +10.0%	$69,750 +9.9%	$74,550 +9.9%	$79,350 +9.8%
Low income (80%)	$67,350 +10.0%	$76,950 +9.9%	$86,550 +9.9%	$96,150 +9.9%	$103,850 +9.9%	$111,550 +9.9%	$119,250 +9.9%	$126,950 +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.