Walla Walla 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).

$1,5612-bedroom FMR, FY2027

$1,1931-bedroom FMR, FY2027

$81,85080% income limit, family of 4 (FY2026)

$102,300Median family income (FY2026)

The FY2027 Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit in Walla Walla County is $1,561 a month, up 0.7% from $1,550 in FY2026. Walla Walla County belongs to the Walla Walla, 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 Walla Walla County by bedroom count

Unit size	FY2027 FMR	FY2026 FMR	Change	Payment standard range (90–110%)
Studio	$1,127	$1,074	+4.9%	$1,015 – $1,239
1 bedroom	$1,193	$1,181	+1.0%	$1,074 – $1,312
2 bedrooms	$1,561	$1,550	+0.7%	$1,405 – $1,717
3 bedrooms	$2,154	$2,118	+1.7%	$1,939 – $2,369
4 bedrooms	$2,609	$2,600	+0.3%	$2,349 – $2,869

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 Walla Walla County that is typically $1,405 to $1,717 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?

$44,472median income of renter households

$1,218Median 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 $44,472 can afford about $1,112 a month including utilities. The FY2027 two-bedroom Fair Market Rent of $1,561 is $449 (40.4%) more than that. To rent a two-bedroom at the FMR, a household needs $62,440 a year under the 30% rule, or $56,196 under the common landlord rule that income must be three times the rent.

Walla Walla County, ACS 2020–2024	Estimate ± MOE
Median gross rent (rent + utilities)	$1,218 ±$100
Median income of renter households	$44,472 ±$4,704
Renters paying 30% or more of income (cost-burdened)	54.1% ±6.2
Renters paying 50% or more (severely cost-burdened)	22.8% ±4.1
Renter households (where the share can be computed)	7,452

Change since 2015–2019

	ACS 2015–2019	ACS 2020–2024	Change
Median gross rent	$926	$1,218	+31.5%
Median renter household income	$35,378	$44,472	+25.7%
Renters paying 30%+ of income	54.2%	54.1%	−0.1 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 $1,400 to $1,620 depending on the ZIP code.

All 9 ZIP codes in this FMR area

ZIP	0 BR	1 BR	2 BR	3 BR	4 BR
99323	$1,000	$1,070	$1,400	$1,910	$2,340
99324	$1,080	$1,140	$1,490	$2,060	$2,490
99328	$970	$1,090	$1,400	$1,910	$2,340
99329	$1,070	$1,150	$1,500	$2,060	$2,500
99348	$970	$1,070	$1,400	$1,910	$2,340
99360	$970	$1,070	$1,400	$1,910	$2,340
99361	$1,060	$1,140	$1,480	$2,040	$2,470
99362	$1,170	$1,240	$1,620	$2,240	$2,710
99363	$1,000	$1,090	$1,400	$1,920	$2,340

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

HUD income limits for Walla Walla County (FY2026)

Income limits decide who qualifies for Section 8 vouchers, public housing and most HUD-assisted units. The area median family income is $102,300 (FY2025: $97,900, +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%)	$21,500 +4.6%	$24,600 +4.7%	$27,650 +3.8%	$33,000 +2.6%	$38,680 +2.7%	$44,360 +2.8%	$50,040 +2.9%	$55,720 +2.9%
Very low income (50%)	$35,850 +4.5%	$40,950 +4.5%	$46,050 +4.4%	$51,150 +4.5%	$55,250 +4.4%	$59,350 +4.5%	$63,450 +4.5%	$67,550 +4.5%
Low income (80%)	$57,300 +4.5%	$65,500 +4.5%	$73,700 +4.5%	$81,850 +4.5%	$88,400 +4.5%	$94,950 +4.5%	$101,500 +4.5%	$108,050 +4.5%

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.