Location: Brockton, MA | Metro: Brockton, MA HUD Metro FMR Area
Based on 1% Rule: A+ (≥1.5%) | A (≥1.2%) | B (≥1.0%) | C (≥0.8%) | D (≥0.6%) | F (<0.6%)
| Unit Size | Monthly FMR |
|---|---|
| Studio | $1,960 |
| 1 Bedroom | $2,150 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $2,810 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $3,520 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $3,690 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $4,280 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $4,794 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $5,178 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $5,437 |
Zillow median home prices vs Section 8 FMR rates (Data: 2026-08-31)
| Bedrooms | Monthly FMR | Median Price | 1% Rule | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $2,810 | $486,575 | 0.58% | F |
| 3BR | $3,520 | $588,535 | 0.6% | F |
| 4BR | $3,690 | $725,960 | 0.51% | F |
| 5BR | $4,280 | $729,649 | 0.59% | F |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
The economics of Section 8 in ZIP code 02379, which encompasses West Bridgewater, MA, in Plymouth County, are straightforward. The SAFMR (Section 8 Area Fair Market Rent) for a two-bedroom apartment in this specific ZIP code is set at $2200 for the fiscal year 2024. This figure is higher than the local market rent, which averages $1,921 according to the Census ACS.
A landlord participating in the Section 8 program will receive a voucher payment from the government to cover part of the tenant's rent. The voucher amount is calculated based on the SAFMR but does not exceed 40% of the tenant's income. For a two-bedroom unit, the voucher will pay up to $2200, minus the tenant's contribution. Typically, the tenant pays 30% to 40% of their adjusted monthly income toward rent.
In addition to the base rent, the voucher also covers utility allowances. These allowances vary by location and are designed to help offset the cost of utilities for the tenant. For ZIP 02379, the utility allowance for a two-bedroom unit is included in the total voucher amount.
To illustrate, if a tenant has an adjusted monthly income of $1,500, they would pay approximately $450 to $600 towards rent, depending on whether it is 30% or 40%. If we assume the higher end of 40%, the tenant would contribute $600, leaving the government to pay the remaining $1,600 of the $2,200 SAFMR.
The SAFMR being higher than the local market rent means that landlords can potentially charge more than the average market rate and still be covered by the voucher. However, the actual reimbursement will not exceed the $2,200 limit set by the program for a two-bedroom unit in ZIP 02379.
Given these specifics, a landlord can expect a reimbursement gap or surplus when comparing the voucher payment to the local market rent. In this case, the typical reimbursement for a two-bedroom unit would be around $2,200, which is $279 above the local market rent of $1,921. Therefore, landlords in ZIP 02379 participating in Section 8 will generally see a surplus of about $279 per month on a two-bedroom rental unit.
Data Sources: FMR data from HUD (2027). Median home prices from Zillow (2026-08-31). 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.