Location: Cattaraugus County, NY | Metro: Allegany County, NY
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 | $750 |
| 1 Bedroom | $790 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,020 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,270 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,480 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $1,717 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $1,923 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $2,077 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $2,181 |
Zillow median home prices vs Section 8 FMR rates (Data: 2026-08-31)
| Bedrooms | Monthly FMR | Median Price | 1% Rule | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $1,020 | $120,044 | 0.85% | C |
| 3BR | $1,270 | $155,929 | 0.81% | C |
| 4BR | $1,480 | $187,641 | 0.79% | D |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
A landlord considering ZIP 14770 (Portville, NY) for Section 8 investments must follow a structured decision-making process based on financial feasibility, rental market conditions, and demand levels.
Step 1: Financial Feasibility
The Fair Market Rent (FMR) for Portville, NY, as of metro fiscal year 2026, is set at $970. To determine if this clears the debt service on a property valued at $143,216, we need to calculate the potential annual income from the property. With an FMR of $970 per month, the annual income would be $11,640. This amount needs to cover all mortgage payments, taxes, insurance, and maintenance costs. If these combined expenses are less than $11,640 annually, then the answer is Yes. Otherwise, the answer is No.
Step 2: Rental Market Conditions
The Census American Community Survey (ACS) reports that the average market rent in Portville, NY, is $818. Comparing this to the FMR of $970, we can see that the market rent is below the FMR. This means that landlords participating in Section 8 could potentially charge closer to the FMR, thus increasing their rental income. The answer to whether market rent is above, at, or below FMR is Below.
Step 3: Demand Levels
In Portville, NY, 13.0% of residents are renters. However, the Days on Market (DOM) figure is listed as N/A, which suggests that there might not be enough recent data to assess how quickly rental properties are being leased. Given the limited information, the answer to whether there is sufficient demand is It Depends. A higher percentage of renters indicates some level of demand, but without knowing the DOM, it's difficult to gauge how competitive the rental market is.
Decision Tree Summary
Ultimately, the decision to invest in Portville, NY, under Section 8 depends on your ability to manage a property with a slightly lower-than-FMR rental rate and your assessment of the overall demand for rentals in the area. Ensure that the FMR of $970 can cover your costs effectively, and that you're comfortable with the uncertainty around DOM.
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.