For FY 2027, HUD's Small Area Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit in ZIP 35238 (Birmingham, AL) is $1,590 a month. That is up 8.9% from $1,460 in FY 2026. Birmingham 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. Among 10 ZIP codes in Shelby County, 35238 is tied for the 4th-highest two-bedroom rent (county range $1,060–$1,930). The median county two-bedroom FMR in Alabama is $975, so ZIP 35238 is 63% above it.
FY 2027 rent by bedroom
FY 2027 fair market rent by bedroom for 35238
Bedrooms
FY 2026
FY 2027
Change
90–110% range
Studio
$1,180
$1,360
+15.3%
$1,224–$1,496
1BR
$1,330
$1,460
+9.8%
$1,314–$1,606
2BR
$1,460
$1,590
+8.9%
$1,431–$1,749
3BR
$1,830
$2,000
+9.3%
$1,800–$2,200
4BR
$2,080
$2,240
+7.7%
$2,016–$2,464
Fair market rent history, FY 2023–2027
Fair market rent by fiscal year for 35238
Fiscal year
Studio
1BR
2BR
3BR
4BR
FY 2027
$1,360
$1,460
$1,590
$2,000
$2,240
FY 2026
$1,180
$1,330
$1,460
$1,830
$2,080
FY 2025
$1,140
$1,310
$1,450
$1,810
$2,050
FY 2024
$1,120
$1,260
$1,420
$1,790
$2,000
FY 2023
$990
$1,080
$1,230
$1,570
$1,710
Two-bedroom rent in nearby Shelby County ZIP codes
How much will Section 8 pay for a two-bedroom in ZIP 35238?
Housing authorities set voucher payment standards, normally between 90% and 110% of the FMR. With a two-bedroom FMR of $1,590, that basic range is $1,431 to $1,749 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 ZIP 35238 in?
ZIP 35238 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 ZIP 35238 for FY 2027?
The two-bedroom FMR rose 8.9%, from $1,460 in FY 2026 to $1,590 in FY 2027. Since FY 2023 it has risen 29.3%.
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