For FY 2027, HUD's Small Area Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit in Watson, AL is $1,350 a month. That is up 16.4% from $1,160 in FY 2026. Watson is in the Birmingham-Hoover, AL HUD Metro FMR Area, where HUD requires housing authorities to set voucher payment standards by ZIP code using Small Area FMRs. The median county two-bedroom FMR in Alabama is $975, so Watson is 38% above it.
FY 2027 rent by bedroom
FY 2027 fair market rent by bedroom for Watson, AL
Bedrooms
FY 2026
FY 2027
Change
90–110% range
Studio
$940
$1,160
+23.4%
$1,044–$1,276
1BR
$1,060
$1,240
+17.0%
$1,116–$1,364
2BR
$1,160
$1,350
+16.4%
$1,215–$1,485
3BR
$1,450
$1,700
+17.2%
$1,530–$1,870
4BR
$1,650
$1,910
+15.8%
$1,719–$2,101
Fair market rent history, FY 2023–2027
Fair market rent by fiscal year for Watson, AL
Fiscal year
Studio
1BR
2BR
3BR
4BR
FY 2027
$1,160
$1,240
$1,350
$1,700
$1,910
FY 2026
$940
$1,060
$1,160
$1,450
$1,650
FY 2025
$890
$1,000
$1,130
$1,420
$1,580
FY 2024
$980
$1,100
$1,240
$1,560
$1,750
FY 2023
$860
$940
$1,070
$1,370
$1,490
Questions about Watson, AL rents
How much will Section 8 pay for a two-bedroom in Watson, AL?
Housing authorities set voucher payment standards, normally between 90% and 110% of the FMR. With a two-bedroom FMR of $1,350, that basic range is $1,215 to $1,485 a month. The voucher pays the lower of the payment standard or the gross rent, minus the tenant's share, which is usually about 30% of adjusted monthly income. Confirm the local housing authority's current schedule before underwriting.
Which HUD fair market rent area is Watson, AL in?
Watson, AL is in the Birmingham-Hoover, AL HUD Metro FMR Area. HUD requires Small Area FMRs in this area, so payment standards are set by ZIP code.
How much did fair market rent change in Watson, AL for FY 2027?
The two-bedroom FMR rose 16.4%, from $1,160 in FY 2026 to $1,350 in FY 2027. Since FY 2023 it has risen 26.2%.
When do FY 2027 fair market rents take effect?
HUD's FY 2027 fair market rents took effect on October 1, 2026. When FMRs change, housing authorities generally have up to three months to bring payment standards back within 90% to 110% of the new FMR.
Source: HUD FY 2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents and area FMRs. Payment-standard ranges are 90% to 110% of FMR, HUD's basic range, not a housing authority's published schedule. How payment standards are set