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 | $990 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,060 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,280 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,640 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,780 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $2,065 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $2,313 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $2,498 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $2,623 |
Zillow median home prices vs Section 8 FMR rates (Data: 2026-07-31)
| Bedrooms | Monthly FMR | Median Price | 1% Rule | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $1,280 | $259,359 | 0.49% | F |
| 3BR | $1,640 | $378,503 | 0.43% | F |
| 4BR | $1,780 | $535,051 | 0.33% | F |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
The rent math for ZIP 15330, located in the Eighty Four, PA, Pittsburgh, PA HUD Metro FMR Area, does not work in favor of landlords. The Fair Market Rent (FMR) for the area in fiscal year 2024 is set at $1090, which is significantly higher than the market rent reported by the Census ACS, which stands at $690. This discrepancy suggests that landlords might struggle to find tenants willing to pay the FMR rate.
Acquisition in this ZIP code is relatively affordable. The median home value is $405,246, which is within reach for many small-portfolio investors. However, due to the lack of data on days on market (DOM) and the percentage of homes that have had their prices cut, it's challenging to predict how long it will take to sell a property if needed. This uncertainty should be considered when planning an investment strategy.
Tenant demand in ZIP 15330 is low. With a total population of 6,023, only 7.8% of residents are renters. This indicates a limited pool of potential tenants, which could make it difficult to fill vacancies quickly and maintain consistent cash flow.
Verdict: Investing in ZIP 15330 is not advisable due to the unfavorable rent math and low tenant demand. While the acquisition cost is reasonable, the significant gap between the FMR and market rent, coupled with the limited number of renters, makes it a risky proposition for landlords and small-portfolio investors.
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.