Section 8 rent calculator

Compare a unit using the figures on your housing agency’s rent worksheet. See what you would pay the landlord, what the agency would pay, and whether the initial rent passes the 40% test.

Before you start: have your housing agency’s countable annual income, adjusted annual income, payment standard, and utility allowance. Ask for its rent worksheet or HUD-50058 if you do not have these figures.

The agency applies income exclusions, deductions, and any HOTMA transition or hardship rules. Using its figures avoids assuming that a medical or childcare expense qualifies. Understand your income and deductions.

For standard tenant-based Housing Choice Vouchers. This tool does not model mixed-family subsidy proration, enhanced vouchers, project-based assistance, or alternative Moving to Work rent formulas. Your PHA’s written determination controls.

The interactive calculator needs JavaScript. You can still use the formula and worked example below, or ask your housing agency to calculate the unit’s rent.

All amounts are in U.S. dollars. Nothing you enter is stored or sent anywhere.

1. Your housing agency’s income figures

Countable annual household income

Use the annual income after exclusions on your PHA worksheet, before deductions. Include countable income for the whole household; this is not necessarily your wages or tax-return income.

Adjusted annual household income

Use the PHA’s annual income after approved deductions. This amount cannot exceed countable annual income. Enter an annual amount, not a monthly amount.

2. Housing agency settings

Monthly minimum rent ($0–$50)

Use the PHA’s minimum, or $0 if it has approved a minimum-rent hardship exemption.

Monthly payment standard

Use the PHA-confirmed standard for this household and unit, including any approved exception. Usually this uses the smaller of the voucher size or unit size.

Monthly designated welfare rent, if applicable

Usually $0. Enter a different figure only if the PHA identifies a designated shelter amount in your benefits. Do not enter your entire benefit payment.

3. The unit you are considering

Monthly rent requested by the landlord

Monthly utility allowance

Use the PHA’s allowance for tenant-paid utilities and appliances, not your actual bills. Enter $0 if none applies.

This is the first assisted lease for this unit (including a move to a new unit).

Your monthly estimate

You pay the landlord—plus your actual utility bills

Agency pays the landlord—excludes any utility reimbursement

Utility reimbursement—to you or the utility, if applicable

Estimates are rounded to whole dollars. Your PHA’s worksheet, approved deductions, rounding, payment standard, utility allowance, and rent-reasonableness decision determine your actual payment. Passing this estimate does not approve the unit.

How to calculate it

Divide the agency’s annual and adjusted annual incomes by 12 to get the monthly amounts.
Total tenant payment (TTP) is the highest of 30% of adjusted monthly income, 10% of countable monthly income, the agency minimum, or an applicable designated welfare rent.
Gross rent is landlord rent plus the utility allowance. Total assistance is the lower of gross rent or the payment standard, minus TTP, with a minimum of $0.
The agency pays the landlord up to the contract rent. Assistance above that rent becomes a utility reimbursement. You pay any remaining landlord rent and your own utility bills.
At initial occupancy, when gross rent exceeds the payment standard, the family share (gross rent minus assistance) cannot exceed 40% of adjusted monthly income.

A worked example

Suppose the PHA confirms $21,600 countable annual income and $21,100 adjusted annual income. With a $50 minimum and no designated welfare rent, TTP is about $528. A $1,400 unit with a $150 utility allowance has $1,550 gross rent. With a $1,500 payment standard, total assistance is about $972 and the family share is $578: $428 to the landlord plus the $150 utility allowance. Actual utility bills can differ from that allowance.

The initial 40% limit is about $703, so this example passes that test. The PHA must still approve the rent and the unit.

Where to get the figures

Ask your housing agency: “What countable annual income, adjusted annual income, minimum rent, payment standard, and utility allowance would you use for this unit? Do special rent rules or subsidy proration apply to my household?” Find your housing agency.

Sources and calculation review

Formula reviewed October 1, 2026. Income and deduction determinations remain with your PHA.