Section 8 Fair Market Rent (FMR) for ZIP 01073 - 2027

Location: Springfield, MA | Metro: Amherst Town-Northampton, MA MSA

Investment Score for ZIP 01073

Monthly Rent (2BR)

$1,830

Median Price (2BR)

$381,337

1% Rule

0.48%

Annual Yield

5.76%

Based on 1% Rule: A+ (≥1.5%) | A (≥1.2%) | B (≥1.0%) | C (≥0.8%) | D (≥0.6%) | F (<0.6%)

FY 2027 Fair Market Rent Rates

Unit Size	Monthly FMR
Studio	$1,280
1 Bedroom	$1,440
2 Bedrooms	$1,830
3 Bedrooms	$2,340
4 Bedrooms	$2,460
5 Bedrooms	$2,854
6 Bedrooms	$3,196
7 Bedrooms	$3,452
8 Bedrooms	$3,625

Investment Analysis by Bedroom Size

Zillow median home prices vs Section 8 FMR rates (Data: 2026-07-31)

Bedrooms	Monthly FMR	Median Price	1% Rule	Grade
2BR	$1,830	$381,337	0.48%	F
3BR	$2,340	$502,162	0.47%	F
4BR	$2,460	$631,885	0.39%	F

Demographics & Housing Statistics

U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)

Population

6,230

Median Household Income

$123,125

Housing Units

2,382

Renter Percentage

9.3%

Occupancy Rate

96.1%

Renter Occupied

214

To decide if you should buy in ZIP code 01073 (Southampton, MA) for Section 8 investments, follow these steps:

Step 1: Does the Fair Market Rent (FMR) of $1340 cover the debt service on a property valued at $488,328?

Yes. If your debt service is less than $1340 per month, then the FMR can support your investment. For instance, a mortgage payment including taxes and insurance that totals less than $1340 would be sustainable.
No. If your debt service exceeds $1340 per month, then the FMR will not sufficiently cover your costs, making this location unprofitable for Section 8 investments.

Step 2: Compare the FMR of $1340 to the market rent. The data indicates that market rent information is currently unavailable (N/A).

It Depends. Without knowing the market rent, it's difficult to make a direct comparison. However, if the market rent is typically higher than the FMR, then Section 8 properties might be less desirable to tenants, affecting occupancy rates. Conversely, if the market rent is around or below the FMR, Section 8 properties could attract more tenants.

Step 3: Evaluate the demand for rental properties. In ZIP 01073, 9.3% of residents are renters, and the Days on Market (DOM) is not available (N/A).

It Depends. With 9.3% of residents being renters, there is a baseline demand for rental properties. However, without specific DOM data, it's challenging to assess how quickly properties are rented out. A lower DOM suggests high demand and quick turnover, which is favorable for investors. A higher DOM would indicate slower demand and longer vacancy periods, potentially reducing profitability.

Based on the available data, the decision to invest in ZIP 01073 for Section 8 properties hinges on whether the FMR can cover your debt service and on the unknown factors of market rent and DOM. If the FMR covers your debt service and market conditions are favorable, then investing in this area can be profitable. Otherwise, consider other locations where these factors align better with your investment criteria.

Data Sources: FMR data from HUD (2027). Median home prices from Zillow (2026-07-31). Demographics from U.S. Census (2024).

About FMR: Fair Market Rent (FMR) is used to determine payment standards for the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program, initial renewal rents for some expiring project-based Section 8 contracts, and rent ceilings for HOME Investment Partnerships.