FMR Lookup › Florida › Lakeland-Winter Haven
Section 8 Fair Market Rent in Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL (FY2026)
HUD's official FY2026 Fair Market Rents for the Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL MSA, by bedroom count. These figures set the baseline for what the Housing Choice Voucher program pays landlords in this area.
| Unit size | FY2026 FMR | Payment standard range (90–110%) |
|---|---|---|
| Studio / efficiency | $1,226 | $1,103 – $1,349 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,230 | $1,107 – $1,353 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,497 | $1,347 – $1,647 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,023 | $1,821 – $2,225 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,511 | $2,260 – $2,762 |
Source: HUD User — FY 2026 Fair Market Rents. FY2026 FMRs are effective October 1, 2025. Retrieved 2026-06-11.
How this market compares
The 2-bedroom FMR here is $1,497 — 12% above the Florida median of $1,337 across all 52 FMR areas in the state.
Counties and towns covered
The Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL FMR area is a metro area covering: Polk County. One FMR applies across the whole area — HUD does not publish separate figures per city or ZIP here (some large metros have Small Area FMRs by ZIP; check with the local housing authority).
What a landlord actually collects
FMR is the baseline, not the contract rent. The local housing authority sets a payment standard between 90% and 110% of FMR (the range in the table above), and your unit must pass a rent-reasonableness comparison against similar unassisted rentals nearby. The voucher then covers the gap between the tenant's share (roughly 30% of their income) and the approved rent.
Run the numbers for a deal in Lakeland-Winter Haven: Section 8 vs market rent, DSCR, or cash-on-cash return.
Comparable Florida markets by 2BR FMR
| FMR area | 1 BR | 2 BR | 3 BR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gainesville | $1,246 | $1,493 | $1,868 |
| Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent | $1,257 | $1,471 | $1,952 |
| Punta Gorda | $1,167 | $1,470 | $2,041 |
| Sebastian-Vero Beach-West Vero Corridor | $1,222 | $1,604 | $1,956 |
| Ocala | $1,172 | $1,373 | $1,772 |
| Walton County | $1,244 | $1,364 | $1,897 |
Informational only — not financial, legal, or lending advice. Confirm current payment standards with the housing authority serving Lakeland-Winter Haven.