Location: Pittsburgh, PA | Metro: Pittsburgh, PA HUD Metro FMR Area
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 | $1,360 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,450 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,760 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $2,250 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $2,440 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $2,830 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $3,170 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $3,424 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $3,595 |
Zillow median home prices vs Section 8 FMR rates (Data: 2026-07-31)
| Bedrooms | Monthly FMR | Median Price | 1% Rule | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $1,760 | $203,442 | 0.87% | C |
| 3BR | $2,250 | $291,946 | 0.77% | D |
| 4BR | $2,440 | $403,838 | 0.6% | D |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
A decision tree for evaluating whether to purchase properties in ZIP code 15050 (Hookstown, PA) for Section 8 investment begins with the Fair Market Rent (FMR) and moves through several key considerations.
1) Does FMR of $1310 cover debt service on a $274,427 property?
No. The FMR of $1310 does not sufficiently cover the debt service on a property valued at $274,427. Debt service typically includes mortgage payments, property taxes, insurance, and maintenance costs. Given the average property value, the monthly rental income would likely fall short of these obligations.
2) How does market rent of $1,524 compare to the FMR?
The market rent of $1,524 is above the FMR of $1310. This suggests that while you might not be able to rely solely on Section 8 vouchers to cover all expenses, there is potential to command higher rents from non-Section 8 tenants.
3) Is the demand sufficient with 9.8% of residents being renters and N/A-day days on the market?
It depends. With only 9.8% of residents being renters, the overall demand for rental properties in Hookstown, PA is low. The lack of data on days on the market (DOM) means we cannot determine how quickly properties are being rented. However, given the limited rental market, securing tenants, whether they are Section 8 voucher holders or not, could be challenging.
If the landlord's goal is strictly to use Section 8 vouchers to cover costs:
If the landlord is willing to consider a mix of Section 8 and market-rate tenants:
In conclusion, purchasing properties in ZIP 15050 for Section 8 investment is not advisable due to the high property values and low rental demand. Landlords should carefully evaluate their ability to attract market-rate tenants before proceeding with any investment decisions in this area.
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.