Section 8 Fair Market Rent (FMR) for ZIP 15026 - 2027

Investment Score for ZIP 15026

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

Investment Analysis by Bedroom Size

Zillow median home prices vs Section 8 FMR rates (Data: 2026-08-31)

Demographics & Housing Statistics

U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)

A decision tree for evaluating ZIP 15026 (Clinton, PA) for Section 8 investments involves three key questions.

1) Does the Fair Market Rent (FMR) of $1200 cover the debt service on a property valued at $338,549?

• Yes: The FMR of $1200 is sufficient to clear debt service if the mortgage payment and other fixed costs are less than this amount. For a property priced at $338,549, a typical debt service might be around $1,200 per month or lower, depending on the interest rate and loan terms. This makes the area financially viable for Section 8 properties.
• No: If the debt service exceeds $1200 per month, then the property would not be profitable under Section 8 guidelines. Clinton, PA's FMR would need to increase or the purchase price of the property would need to decrease for it to be feasible.

2) Is the market rent above, at, or below the FMR?

• Market Rent Above FMR: If the market rent is higher than the FMR of $1200, landlords should consider the possibility of renting to non-Section 8 tenants to maximize profits. However, this also means fewer tenants may qualify for Section 8 vouchers, reducing potential demand.
• Market Rent At FMR: When market rents equal the FMR, the property can be rented out to Section 8 tenants without significant financial loss. This scenario provides stability but limits profit potential unless the landlord can secure a higher rent through private market rates.
• Market Rent Below FMR: If market rents are below the FMR, then the property is more likely to attract Section 8 tenants. This situation is favorable for landlords who want to ensure their properties are occupied and meet their financial obligations.

3) Do the 18.4% of renters combined with the N/A days of Days on Market (DOM) indicate sufficient demand?

• It Depends: With 18.4% of residents being renters, there is a notable rental market in Clinton, PA. However, the lack of data on DOM makes it difficult to assess how quickly properties are being leased. If the DOM is low, indicating quick leasing times, this suggests strong demand despite the percentage of renters being relatively modest. Conversely, high DOM values would suggest weak demand, making it harder to justify investing in Section 8 properties based solely on rental percentages.

To make an informed decision, landlords must evaluate these factors in conjunction with their investment goals and risk tolerance. Clinton, PA offers a stable environment for Section 8 investments if the FMR covers debt service and market rents align with or are below the FMR. The rental percentage indicates a market presence, but the absence of DOM data requires further investigation into local real estate trends before committing to a purchase.

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.