Location: Knox County, ME | Metro: Knox County, ME
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 | $1,560 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,640 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $2,000 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $2,620 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $2,660 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $3,086 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $3,456 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $3,732 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $3,919 |
Zillow median home prices vs Section 8 FMR rates (Data: 2026-07-31)
| Bedrooms | Monthly FMR | Median Price | 1% Rule | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $2,000 | $497,103 | 0.4% | F |
| 3BR | $2,620 | $592,473 | 0.44% | F |
| 4BR | $2,660 | $665,707 | 0.4% | F |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
The rent math in ZIP 04860, located in St George, ME, within the Knox County metro area, does not favor landlords. The Fair Market Rent (FMR) set at $2,160 for fiscal year 2026 contrasts sharply with the current market rent of $1,603 as reported by the Census ACS. This discrepancy indicates that landlords may struggle to meet the higher rent standards expected by tenants while still operating within the actual rental market conditions.
Acquisition in this area is moderately affordable with a median home value of $514,342. However, the lack of data on days on market (DOM) and the percentage of homes requiring price cuts suggests that there might be inefficiencies or limited information regarding property sales. Landlords and small-portfolio investors should proceed with caution and seek additional local insights before making investment decisions.
Tenant demand in ZIP 04860 is relatively low. With a total population of 1,543, only 16.9% are renters. This means there are approximately 259 potential renters in the area, which could pose challenges for landlords seeking consistent tenancy. The limited number of renters implies that competition for tenants might be high, and landlords will need to offer competitive rents and amenities to attract and retain occupants.
In summary, ZIP 04860 presents a challenging environment for landlords due to the mismatch between FMR and market rent, moderate affordability for acquisitions, and low tenant demand. Investors should carefully consider these factors and possibly look into areas with higher renter shares and closer alignment between market rents and FMRs to ensure profitability and sustainability.
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.