Section 8 Fair Market Rent (FMR) for ZIP 03253 - 2027

Location: Belknap County, NH | Metro: Belknap County, NH

Investment Score for ZIP 03253

Monthly Rent (2BR)

$1,720

Median Price (2BR)

$555,915

1% Rule

0.31%

Annual Yield

3.71%

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	$1,190
1 Bedroom	$1,360
2 Bedrooms	$1,720
3 Bedrooms	$2,160
4 Bedrooms	$2,560
5 Bedrooms	$2,970
6 Bedrooms	$3,326
7 Bedrooms	$3,592
8 Bedrooms	$3,772

Investment Analysis by Bedroom Size

Zillow median home prices vs Section 8 FMR rates (Data: 2026-08-31)

Bedrooms	Monthly FMR	Median Price	1% Rule	Grade
1BR	$1,360	$457,129	0.3%	F
2BR	$1,720	$555,915	0.31%	F
3BR	$2,160	$739,684	0.29%	F
4BR	$2,560	$1,011,460	0.25%	F
5BR	$2,970	$1,957,520	0.15%	F

Demographics & Housing Statistics

U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)

Population

6,707

Median Household Income

$84,719

Housing Units

5,005

Renter Percentage

24.5%

Occupancy Rate

60.1%

Renter Occupied

737

If a landlord is considering purchasing a property in ZIP code 03253 (Meredith, NH) for Section 8 purposes, they must evaluate several key factors to make an informed decision.

1. Does the Fair Market Rent (FMR) of $1,910 (for the metro area in fiscal year 2026) cover the debt service on a $675,089 property?

No: The FMR of $1,910 would not be sufficient to cover the debt service on a property priced at $675,089. To illustrate, assuming a typical mortgage rate of around 5%, the monthly payment on a $675,089 loan would exceed the FMR significantly. This makes the investment unviable for Section 8 participation without additional subsidies or income sources.

2. Is the market rent of $1,149 (as per Census ACS data) above, at, or below the FMR?

Below: The market rent of $1,149 is notably below the FMR of $1,910. This indicates that there is potential for landlords to receive higher rental income through Section 8 vouchers compared to the local market rent.

3. Are the 24.5% renters combined with N/A-day days on the market (DOM) sufficient to meet demand?

It Depends: With 24.5% of the population being renters, there is a reasonable base of demand. However, the lack of data regarding days on the market (DOM) means we cannot accurately assess how quickly properties are rented out. If the DOM is low, it suggests strong demand; if high, it could indicate difficulties in finding tenants. Without specific DOM data, landlords must consider other indicators of housing demand such as vacancy rates or economic trends in Meredith, NH.

In summary, while the FMR does not support the debt service on a $675,089 property, indicating that such a purchase would not be financially viable for Section 8 participation alone, the market rent being below the FMR presents an opportunity for higher income. The percentage of renters suggests there is some demand, but the absence of DOM data leaves uncertainty about the speed at which properties can be leased. Landlords should seek additional data points and consider the broader economic context before making a decision.

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.