FAQ
Questions, answered.
Short, honest answers about rent benchmarks and how we use them.
Where does the data come from?
HUD's Fair Market Rents (including ZIP-level Small Area Fair Market Rents) and the Census Bureau's American Community Survey. Both are public government data. See data sources.
What is a Fair Market Rent?
HUD's estimate of what a modest rental costs in an area, including utilities. It's set at about the 40th percentile of rents paid by recent movers, so it is not the average or the asking rent. Read the guide.
Is this the Section 8 payment standard?
Not exactly. Each housing authority sets its own payment standards, usually between 90% and 110% of the Fair Market Rent (or the Small Area FMR where it applies). We show that typical range; your housing authority has the final number. More on payment standards.
Does the rent include utilities?
HUD and Census figures are gross rent: rent plus the utilities the tenant pays (not phone, cable or internet). If the rent you're checking doesn't include utilities, add a monthly estimate before comparing.
How current is it?
Fair Market Rents are HUD's fiscal year 2027 figures, effective October 1, 2026. Census figures are 2020–2024 five-year estimates, so they trail today's market.
Is this an appraisal or a rent-reasonableness decision?
No. It's a quick, sourced comparison. Housing authorities make rent-reasonableness decisions using comparable units, and an appraiser or local agent can value a specific property.
Why is there no data for my ZIP?
Some ZIP codes are PO boxes or business-only and have no homes. Try the ZIP code where the home is located.
Is it free?
Rent checks are free with no account. Pro adds saved units, batch checks with CSV download and printable reports.
Is Aeonis affiliated with HUD?
No. We use public HUD and Census data but aren't affiliated with or endorsed by HUD, the Census Bureau or any housing authority.