Location: Barnstable Town, MA | Metro: Barnstable Town, MA MSA
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 | $1,660 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,670 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $2,180 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $2,690 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $3,090 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $3,584 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $4,014 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $4,335 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $4,552 |
Zillow median home prices vs Section 8 FMR rates (Data: 2026-08-31)
| Bedrooms | Monthly FMR | Median Price | 1% Rule | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1BR | $1,670 | $728,229 | 0.23% | F |
| 2BR | $2,180 | $1,119,279 | 0.19% | F |
| 3BR | $2,690 | $1,935,241 | 0.14% | F |
| 4BR | $3,090 | $2,499,398 | 0.12% | F |
| 5BR | $3,584 | $3,145,467 | 0.11% | F |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
A landlord considering Provincetown, MA (ZIP 02657), for a Section 8 investment must follow a structured decision-making process. The first step is to evaluate whether the Fair Market Rent (FMR) of $1840 for the fiscal year 2024 can cover the debt service on a property valued at $1,056,989. If the debt service is less than $1840 per month, then the answer is yes, it makes financial sense to proceed. However, if the monthly debt service exceeds $1840, the investment would not be profitable based on current FMRs.
The second question involves comparing the market rent of $1,261, as reported by the Census ACS, against the FMR. If the market rent is above $1840, then landlords can potentially earn higher rents outside of Section 8, suggesting that investing solely for Section 8 might not be optimal. If market rent equals or is slightly below the FMR, landlords can expect stable rental income from Section 8 tenants, making it a viable option. If the market rent is significantly below the FMR, landlords might benefit from renting to Section 8 tenants who will pay closer to the FMR, thus maximizing their returns.
The third consideration is the rental demand in Provincetown. With 23.7% of residents being renters, there is a notable portion of the population seeking housing, which is a positive sign. However, the lack of data on days on the market (DOM) means we cannot accurately assess how quickly properties are rented. Without this information, it's challenging to determine if there's sufficient demand to support a Section 8 investment. If the rental rate is high and properties are occupied promptly, then the answer is yes, there is enough demand. Conversely, if the rental market is sluggish, the answer is no, as the investment might not yield the desired occupancy rates.
To summarize:
Landlords must weigh these factors carefully to make an informed decision about investing in ZIP 02657 for Section 8 properties.
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.