Section 8 Fair Market Rent (FMR) for ZIP 14612 - 2027
Location: Rochester, NY | Metro: Rochester, NY MSA
Investment Score for ZIP 14612
D
Monthly Rent (2BR)
$1,420
Median Price (2BR)
$228,412
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 | $1,010 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,140 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,420 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,710 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,880 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $2,181 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $2,443 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $2,638 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $2,770 |
Investment Analysis by Bedroom Size
Zillow median home prices vs Section 8 FMR rates (Data: 2026-07-31)
| Bedrooms |
Monthly FMR |
Median Price |
1% Rule |
Grade |
| 1BR |
$1,140 |
$182,566 |
0.62% |
D |
| 2BR |
$1,420 |
$228,412 |
0.62% |
D |
| 3BR |
$1,710 |
$281,842 |
0.61% |
D |
| 4BR |
$1,880 |
$349,923 |
0.54% |
F |
| 5BR |
$2,181 |
$407,969 |
0.53% |
F |
Demographics & Housing Statistics
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
Median Household Income
$82,800
To determine if you should buy in ZIP code 14612 (Rochester, NY) for Section 8 investment, follow this decision tree:
1) Does the Fair Market Rent (FMR) of $1400 cover the debt service on a property valued at $277,318?
- Yes: The FMR of $1400 is sufficient to cover the debt service on a property priced at $277,318. This means that the rental income will meet the mortgage payment requirements, making it financially viable.
- No: The FMR of $1400 does not cover the debt service on a property valued at $277,318. This would result in a shortfall between rental income and mortgage payments, making it an unwise investment for Section 8 purposes.
2) How does the market rent ($1,308 ZORI) compare to the FMR?
- Above FMR: If the market rent exceeds the FMR of $1400, then the property is overpriced relative to the subsidy limits. This makes it unsuitable for Section 8 tenants, who can only pay up to the FMR amount.
- At or Below FMR: With the market rent at $1,308, which is below the FMR, the property aligns well with Section 8 guidelines. Tenants can afford the rent without exceeding their subsidy limit.
3) Is there enough demand with 26.7% of residents being renters and an average Days on Market (DOM) of 9 days?
- Yes: Given that 26.7% of residents are renters and the DOM is only 9 days, there is strong demand for rental properties. This indicates that properties are rented quickly, suggesting a robust market for Section 8 units.
- No: If the percentage of renters were lower and the DOM higher, it would suggest weaker demand. However, with these figures, demand is sufficient to support a Section 8 investment.
- It Depends: While the 9-day DOM suggests quick turnover, the 26.7% rental rate is relatively low. It could still work if the landlord is willing to manage a smaller portfolio or if there are other factors driving demand, such as proximity to public transportation or schools.
If you answered "Yes" to all three questions, then purchasing in ZIP 14612 is advisable for Section 8 investment. If any question leads to a "No," reconsider the investment. If the answer is "It Depends," further analysis is required to make an informed decision.
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.