Section 8 Fair Market Rent (FMR) for ZIP 12859 - 2027
Location: Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | Metro: Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY MSA
Investment Score for ZIP 12859
F
Monthly Rent (2BR)
$1,840
Median Price (2BR)
$348,852
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 | $1,330 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,530 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,840 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $2,190 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $2,420 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $2,807 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $3,144 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $3,396 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $3,566 |
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 |
| 2BR |
$1,840 |
$348,852 |
0.53% |
F |
| 3BR |
$2,190 |
$393,399 |
0.56% |
F |
| 4BR |
$2,420 |
$489,343 |
0.49% |
F |
Demographics & Housing Statistics
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
Median Household Income
$71,250
To determine if a landlord should buy in ZIP 12859 (Porter Corners, NY) for Section 8, follow these steps:
Step 1: Calculate if the Fair Market Rent (FMR) of $1620 can cover the debt service on a property valued at $386,567.
- Yes: If the FMR of $1620 is sufficient to clear the debt service, then proceed to Step 2. This indicates that the rental income will meet the financial obligations associated with owning the property.
- No: If the FMR of $1620 does not cover the debt service, buying in this area for Section 8 is not advisable. The rental income would be insufficient to meet the financial requirements of the property.
Step 2: Compare the market rent of $1380 (from Census ACS data) to the FMR of $1620.
- Market Rent Above FMR: If the market rent exceeds the FMR, landlords might consider other non-Section 8 tenants who could pay higher rents. However, since the FMR is set by HUD, it is the maximum allowable rent for Section 8 vouchers.
- Market Rent Equal to or Below FMR: If the market rent is equal to or below the FMR, landlords can expect to receive the FMR as the rental income when leasing to Section 8 tenants. This makes the area more suitable for Section 8 investments.
Step 3: Evaluate the demand by considering the percentage of renters and the days on market (DOM).
- Yes: With 13.6% of residents being renters and the DOM being N/A (likely indicating low turnover or limited listings), there is enough demand to support Section 8 properties. The percentage of renters suggests a steady pool of potential tenants, while the lack of DOM data implies strong competition among available rentals.
- No: If the percentage of renters were significantly lower and the DOM was high, it would indicate weak demand. However, given the data, the demand appears to be stable and sufficient.
- It Depends: In cases where the DOM data is missing, landlords must rely on the percentage of renters and local knowledge. A 13.6% renter population supports a moderate level of demand, but landlords should also consider factors such as local employment rates and the availability of Section 8 vouchers.
In conclusion, if the FMR of $1620 clears the debt service on a property valued at $386,567 and the market rent is at or below this amount, with 13.6% of residents being renters, then Porter Corners, NY, is a viable location for Section 8 investments. Landlords should ensure they understand the local housing market dynamics and the specifics of their property's financials before making a purchase 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.