Section 8 Fair Market Rent (FMR) for ZIP 15090 - 2027
Location: Pittsburgh, PA | Metro: Pittsburgh, PA HUD Metro FMR Area
Investment Score for ZIP 15090
D
Monthly Rent (2BR)
$2,080
Median Price (2BR)
$293,724
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 | $1,610 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,720 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $2,080 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $2,650 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $2,880 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $3,341 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $3,742 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $4,041 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $4,243 |
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 |
$2,080 |
$293,724 |
0.71% |
D |
| 3BR |
$2,650 |
$405,467 |
0.65% |
D |
| 4BR |
$2,880 |
$653,276 |
0.44% |
F |
| 5BR |
$3,341 |
$984,927 |
0.34% |
F |
Demographics & Housing Statistics
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
Median Household Income
$160,576
To determine if a landlord should buy in ZIP code 15090 (Wexford, PA) for Section 8 purposes, follow this decision tree:
- Does the Fair Market Rent (FMR) of $1740 cover the debt service on a property valued at $553,360?
- Yes: The FMR of $1740 is sufficient to clear the debt service on a $553,360 property, assuming typical financing terms. This makes Wexford a viable option for Section 8 investment.
- No: The FMR of $1740 does not cover the debt service on a $553,360 property under standard financing conditions. Consider properties with lower purchase prices or seek areas with higher FMRs.
- Is the market rent ($1,907 ZORI) above, at, or below the FMR?
- Above: With a ZORI of $1,907, which is above the FMR of $1740, the area shows strong rental demand. Landlords can potentially charge market rates for non-Section 8 tenants while still covering costs with Section 8 rents.
- At: If market rent equals the FMR, landlords can expect stable rental income but may miss out on charging higher market rates. Still, the area remains attractive for Section 8 investments due to the alignment of market and FMR.
- Below: If market rent is below the FMR, landlords will be able to secure Section 8 tenants easily. However, they might face challenges in attracting non-Section 8 tenants willing to pay only the lower market rate.
- Are 21.1% of residents renters and does a 7-day Days on Market (DOM) indicate enough demand?
- Yes: The 21.1% renter population combined with a 7-day DOM suggests a healthy demand for rentals. Landlords can expect quick tenancy turnover and minimal vacancy periods.
- No: If the renter population is significantly less than 21.1%, or if the DOM is longer than 7 days, there may not be enough demand to support a Section 8 investment.
- It Depends: If the renter percentage is close to 21.1% and the DOM is around 7 days, the demand is moderate. Landlords should consider additional factors such as local economic trends and competition before making a decision.
Based on these criteria, a landlord should find that Wexford, PA, is a suitable location for Section 8 investments, especially if they can acquire properties at or below $553,360 and if the market rent exceeds the FMR. The combination of market conditions and rental demand supports the viability of such investments.
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.