Fair Market Rents: Buchanan County, MO (FY2026)
HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rents for Buchanan County set the ceiling for what Housing Choice Vouchers pay locally. FMR equals the estimated 40th-percentile gross rent — shelter plus utilities — for modest, non-luxury units.
| Unit size | FY2026 FMR | MO median* |
|---|---|---|
| Studio (0-BR) | $774/mo | $663 (+17%) |
| 1 Bedroom | $832/mo | $708 (+18%) |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,077/mo | $888 (+21%) |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,363/mo | $1,226 (+11%) |
| 4+ Bedrooms | $1,566/mo | $1,379 (+14%) |
*Median across all FMR-publishing counties in MO. Source: HUD FY2026 FMR schedule.
Using FMR as a voucher holder in Buchanan County
- Your housing authority sets payment standards per bedroom, typically 90–110% of these figures. How payment standards work →
- You may rent above the standard by paying the difference, subject to a 40%-of-income cap at lease-up.
- In high-cost pockets, ask about exception standards or Small Area FMRs by ZIP code.
Subsidized housing in Buchanan County
We track 46 assisted properties countywide:
| City | Properties | Assisted units |
|---|---|---|
| Saint Joseph | 22 | 1,284 |
| St Joseph | 31 | 970 |