Location: Rutland County, VT | Metro: Bennington County, VT
| Unit Size | Monthly FMR |
|---|---|
| Studio | $1,410 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,430 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,860 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $2,230 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $2,600 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $3,016 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $3,378 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $3,648 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $3,830 |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
The market analysis for Section 8 investors targeting ZIP code 05768 in Rutland County, VT, reveals several key points regarding the financial viability of voucher tenants in this area.
The HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) for the Rutland County, VT metro area, for fiscal year 2026, is set at $1,610. This figure represents the maximum amount that landlords can charge for a unit to be considered affordable under the Section 8 program. However, due to the lack of current market rent data for ZIP 05768, it's challenging to provide a direct comparison between the HUD FMR and actual market rates.
Based on the available HUD FMR, voucher tenants will generally cashflow at this rate in ZIP 05768. The term "cashflow" means that the rental income received from the voucher program will cover the expenses associated with owning and maintaining the property, including mortgage payments, utilities, and maintenance costs. While there is no specific market rent data, the FMR is designed to reflect the average rent for modest housing in the area, which suggests that most standard units should break even or generate a slight profit when rented to voucher holders.
The median home value in ZIP 05768 is also not available. Without this information, deriving an accurate rent-to-price ratio is impossible. The rent-to-price ratio is a useful metric for understanding how much a tenant would pay relative to the cost of buying a similar property. A lower ratio might indicate that renting is more advantageous compared to buying, but we cannot confirm this trend without the median home value.
The days on market (DOM) and percentage of price cuts are also unavailable. These metrics typically help gauge the competitiveness of the rental market versus the home-buying market. In ZIP 05768, the absence of these figures limits our ability to fully assess the rent-versus-buy dynamics, though it does not significantly impact the conclusion about voucher tenant cashflow.
The strongest investor angle in ZIP 05768 is likely to be stability. Given the consistent HUD FMR and the general expectation that voucher tenants will cover the necessary expenses, investors can rely on steady, predictable income from their properties. This stability is particularly valuable in a region where economic conditions might fluctuate, offering a reliable source of passive income.
Data Sources: FMR data from HUD (2027). 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.