FMR Lookup › New Hampshire › Belknap County
Section 8 Fair Market Rent in Belknap County, NH (FY2026)
HUD's official FY2026 Fair Market Rents for the Belknap County, NH, 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 | $1,241 | $1,117 – $1,365 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,425 | $1,283 – $1,568 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,800 | $1,620 – $1,980 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,219 | $1,997 – $2,441 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,676 | $2,408 – $2,944 |
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 $1,800 — 8% below the New Hampshire median of $1,950 across all 14 FMR areas in the state.
Counties and towns covered
This is a county-level (non-metro) FMR area covering: Alton town (Belknap County), Barnstead town (Belknap County), Belmont town (Belknap County), Center Harbor town (Belknap County), Gilford town (Belknap County), Gilmanton town (Belknap County), Laconia city (Belknap County), Meredith town (Belknap County), New Hampton town (Belknap County), Sanbornton town (Belknap County), Tilton town (Belknap County). One FMR applies across the whole area — HUD does not publish separate figures per city or ZIP here.
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 Belknap County: Section 8 vs market rent, DSCR, or cash-on-cash return.
Comparable New Hampshire markets by 2BR FMR
| FMR area | 1 BR | 2 BR | 3 BR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sullivan County | $1,332 | $1,747 | $2,418 |
| Carroll County | $1,343 | $1,709 | $2,353 |
| Hillsborough County, NH (part) HUD Metro FMR Area | $1,294 | $1,698 | $2,036 |
| Grafton County | $1,455 | $1,909 | $2,590 |
| Cheshire County | $1,468 | $1,926 | $2,518 |
| Merrimack County | $1,504 | $1,974 | $2,604 |
All 14 New Hampshire FMR areas →
Informational only — not financial, legal, or lending advice. Confirm current payment standards with the housing authority serving Belknap County.