Payment standards and subsidy calculator

Payment standards

This amount depends on the number of bedrooms in the home and where in King County the home is located.

Because the rental market is different in different parts of King County, KCHA’s payment standards are higher in areas where rents are higher. For example, the standard cost for a home with 2 bedrooms in Burien is different from the cost in Kent or Bellevue.

To find the payment standards for the area where you want to rent a home, choose its zip code from the list below. The listed amounts are effective January 1, 2026.

You can also view the full list of standards.

If you choose a home that rents at or below the payment standard, you will pay approximately 31 percent of your monthly income toward rent and utilities. If you choose a home that rents above the standard, you also pay the difference between the full amount and the payment standard. During your first year in the program you may not move into a home where rent and utilities cost more than 40 percent of your monthly income.

To find out if the home you want to rent is affordable within the limits of the program and your income, use KCHA’s subsidy calculator.

Subsidy calculator

The calculator below can help you figure out if the home you want to rent is affordable within the limits of the Housing Choice Voucher program. It can also give you a sense of how much you would pay each month. Remember, every home is different, so you must correctly fill out all of the fields below to receive the most accurate estimate.

Also remember that all estimates are based on general rules. These amounts can vary depending on other factors not covered by the calculator. Because of this, the estimates shown here are not a guarantee. You should always talk with your housing specialist before making any final rental choices.