FMR Lookup › Florida › Lakeland-Winter Haven
Section 8 Fair Market Rent in Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL (FY2027)
HUD's official FY2027 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 | FY2027 FMR | Payment standard range (90–110%) |
|---|---|---|
| Studio / efficiency | $1,258 | $1,132 – $1,384 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,338 | $1,204 – $1,472 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,608 | $1,447 – $1,769 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,212 | $1,991 – $2,433 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,688 | $2,419 – $2,957 |
Source: HUD User — FY 2027 Fair Market Rents. FY2027 FMRs are effective October 1, 2026. FY2027 FMRs take effect October 1, 2026; until that date, the prior FY2026 schedule remains in effect. Retrieved 2026-09-07.
How this market compares
The 2-bedroom FMR here is $1,608 — 23% above the Florida median of $1,304 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Punta Gorda | $1,204 | $1,575 | $2,137 |
| Panama City | $1,517 | $1,651 | $2,101 |
| Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent | $1,359 | $1,548 | $2,034 |
| Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach | $1,363 | $1,673 | $2,204 |
| Sebastian-Vero Beach-West Vero Corridor | $1,179 | $1,542 | $1,882 |
| Gulf County | $1,168 | $1,532 | $1,837 |
Informational only — not financial, legal, or lending advice. Confirm current payment standards with the housing authority serving Lakeland-Winter Haven.