For every U.S. metro where we have both a HUD Fair Market Rent and a median gross rent
median, PlainVoucher computes a gap, the percent difference between the HUD 2-BR
FMR and the Census ACS 2-BR median gross rent. Negative = voucher falls short; positive
= voucher comfortably covers market. This is a PlainVoucher-computed metric, not
published by HUD. See methodology.
Metros where the margin is tightest
In these metros, the HUD 2-BR payment standard's margin over the Census median 2-BR gross
rent is thinnest (or, where the gap is negative, the standard sits below the median). Because
asking rents for available units run above the median, voucher holders here often face the
hardest search at the payment standard.
| Metro | HUD 2-BR FMR | Market 2-BR | Gap |
|---|
| Austin County, TX HUD Metro FMR Area | $1,001 | $1,382 | -27.6% |
| Bond County, IL HUD Metro FMR Area | $871 | $1,097 | -20.6% |
| Baker County, FL HUD Metro FMR Area | $1,129 | $1,408 | -19.8% |
| Columbia County, WI HUD Metro FMR Area | $1,087 | $1,354 | -19.7% |
| Camden County, NC HUD Metro FMR Area | $1,129 | $1,340 | -15.8% |
| Anderson, SC HUD Metro FMR Area | $947 | $1,081 | -12.4% |
| Atascosa County, TX HUD Metro FMR Area | $1,182 | $1,332 | -11.3% |
| Benton County, IA HUD Metro FMR Area | $877 | $968 | -9.4% |
| San Benito County, CA HUD Metro FMR Area | $2,623 | $2,881 | -9.0% |
| Anson County, NC HUD Metro FMR Area | $1,216 | $1,311 | -7.3% |
| Little River County, AR HUD Metro FMR Area | $848 | $914 | -7.2% |
| Boone County, IA HUD Metro FMR Area | $930 | $990 | -6.1% |
| Boone County, WV HUD Metro FMR Area | $852 | $907 | -6.1% |
| Acadia Parish, LA HUD Metro FMR Area | $903 | $930 | -2.9% |
| Brunswick County, NC HUD Metro FMR Area | $1,282 | $1,282 | +0.0% |
| Davidson County, NC HUD Metro FMR Area | $933 | $927 | +0.7% |
| Geary County, KS HUD Metro FMR Area | $994 | $981 | +1.3% |
| Morehouse Parish, LA HUD Metro FMR Area | $903 | $890 | +1.5% |
| Flint, MI MSA | $986 | $964 | +2.3% |
| Wichita, KS HUD Metro FMR Area | $995 | $972 | +2.4% |
Metros where vouchers cover market best
In these metros, the HUD payment standard is highest relative to the median 2-BR market
rents. Voucher holders here have the most unit flexibility.
| Metro | HUD 2-BR FMR | Market 2-BR | Gap |
|---|
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA MSA | $4,223 | $2,286 | +84.7% |
| Salinas, CA MSA | $2,982 | $1,984 | +50.3% |
| Knoxville, TN HUD Metro FMR Area | $1,548 | $1,090 | +42.0% |
| Boise City, ID HUD Metro FMR Area | $1,838 | $1,297 | +41.7% |
| Pittsfield, MA HUD Metro FMR Area | $1,571 | $1,126 | +39.5% |
| Yuma, AZ MSA | $1,377 | $987 | +39.5% |
| Jackson, TN HUD Metro FMR Area | $1,236 | $894 | +38.3% |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA MSA | $2,306 | $1,668 | +38.3% |
| Hinesville, GA HUD Metro FMR Area | $1,430 | $1,036 | +38.0% |
| Sierra Vista-Douglas, AZ MSA | $1,201 | $874 | +37.4% |
| Barnstable Town, MA MSA | $2,346 | $1,711 | +37.1% |
| Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL MSA | $1,605 | $1,174 | +36.7% |
| Lake Havasu City-Kingman, AZ MSA | $1,357 | $994 | +36.5% |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC HUD Metro FMR Area | $1,872 | $1,383 | +35.4% |
| El Centro, CA MSA | $1,371 | $1,013 | +35.3% |
| Idaho Falls, ID HUD Metro FMR Area | $1,311 | $971 | +35.0% |
| Craven County, NC HUD Metro FMR Area | $1,315 | $975 | +34.9% |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA MSA | $1,426 | $1,058 | +34.8% |
| Seattle-Bellevue, WA HUD Metro FMR Area | $2,671 | $1,987 | +34.4% |
| Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA MSA | $1,282 | $963 | +33.1% |
Source: HUD USER FMR (FY25), Census ACS median gross rent HUD USER FMR (FY25), Census ACS median gross rent Gap is a derived PlainVoucher metric, not a HUD publication. Last updated April 15, 2026
⚠ Disclaimer. Gap percentages are computed from Census ACS median gross rent
and HUD FMR reference values. Actual voucher experience depends on the local PHA's
payment standard (90–110% of FMR) and the specific unit. Always confirm with your PHA.