Location: Portsmouth-Rochester, NH | Metro: Portsmouth-Rochester, NH 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 | $1,450 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,510 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,980 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $2,430 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $2,650 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $3,074 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $3,443 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $3,718 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $3,904 |
Zillow median home prices vs Section 8 FMR rates (Data: 2026-07-31)
| Bedrooms | Monthly FMR | Median Price | 1% Rule | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $1,980 | $329,934 | 0.6% | D |
| 3BR | $2,430 | $457,547 | 0.53% | F |
| 4BR | $2,650 | $494,747 | 0.54% | F |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
The economics of Section 8 in ZIP 03839, located in Rochester, NH, Strafford County, are straightforward. The SAFMR (Small Area Fair Market Rent) for a two-bedroom apartment in this specific ZIP code for FY 2024 is set at $1810. This SAFMR is the maximum amount that the government will reimburse landlords for participating in the Housing Choice Voucher program.
Local market rents, according to the Census ACS, are lower at $1549 for a two-bedroom unit. However, the SAFMR is the benchmark used for determining the maximum allowable rent under the voucher program.
A voucher payment typically consists of two parts: the tenant's contribution and the government's reimbursement. The tenant must pay 30% of their adjusted income towards rent. For example, if a tenant's adjusted income is $1800 per month, they would contribute $540 (30%) toward the rent. The government then covers the difference up to the SAFMR of $1810. In this scenario, the government would pay $1270, making the total rent $1810.
In addition to the base rent, there are utility allowances which vary based on the type of unit and the specific circumstances. These allowances can range from $100 to $300 per month. For simplicity, let's assume an average utility allowance of $200. This means the landlord receives $1470 ($1270 base rent + $200 utilities) in total monthly reimbursement from the government and the tenant.
Given the local market rent of $1549, landlords in ZIP 03839 can expect a reimbursement gap of $39 when the government pays up to the SAFMR of $1810. Conversely, if the market rent were below the SAFMR, landlords could experience a surplus. In this case, since the market rent is lower, landlords should adjust their expectations accordingly.
To summarize, landlords in ZIP 03839 participating in the Section 8 program will receive a maximum reimbursement of $1810 for a two-bedroom apartment, including the tenant's contribution and utility allowances. With the current local market rent at $1549, this results in a reimbursement gap of $39, meaning landlords will be paid less than the SAFMR but more than the local market rate.
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.