Section 8 Fair Market Rent (FMR) for ZIP 15442 - 2027

Location: Pittsburgh, PA | Metro: Pittsburgh, PA HUD Metro FMR Area

Investment Score for ZIP 15442

A+

Monthly Rent (2BR)

$1,350

Median Price (2BR)

$62,533

1% Rule

2.16%

Annual Yield

25.91%

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	$1,040
1 Bedroom	$1,110
2 Bedrooms	$1,350
3 Bedrooms	$1,720
4 Bedrooms	$1,870
5 Bedrooms	$2,169
6 Bedrooms	$2,429
7 Bedrooms	$2,623
8 Bedrooms	$2,754

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	$1,350	$62,533	2.16%	A+
3BR	$1,720	$177,354	0.97%	C
4BR	$1,870	$85,637	2.18%	A+

Demographics & Housing Statistics

U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)

Population

2,596

Median Household Income

$57,246

Housing Units

1,203

Renter Percentage

22.5%

Occupancy Rate

90.4%

Renter Occupied

245

To determine if you should buy in ZIP code 15442 (Grindstone, PA) for Section 8 investments, follow these steps:

Step 1: Does the Fair Market Rent (FMR) of $990 cover the debt service on a property valued at $106,633?

Yes. If your debt service is less than $990 per month, then the FMR can support your investment. This means that a tenant receiving Section 8 assistance would be able to pay the required rent, ensuring financial stability for your property.
No. If your debt service exceeds $990 per month, then the FMR will not sufficiently cover your costs, making it an unwise investment for Section 8 purposes.

Step 2: Compare the market rent of $1,047 (as reported by the Census ACS) to the FMR.

Market rent is above FMR. The market rent of $1,047 is higher than the FMR of $990, indicating that non-Section 8 tenants might be willing to pay more. However, for Section 8 tenants, you will be limited to the FMR amount. This suggests that while there is potential for higher rents, you must consider the cap set by the FMR for Section 8 properties.
Market rent is equal to or below FMR. In this case, the FMR would align closely with the market conditions, potentially simplifying your rental strategy. You can expect Section 8 tenants to pay a rate that is in line with what other tenants might offer.

Step 3: Evaluate the demand factors: 22.5% of the population are renters, and the days on market (DOM) data is not available.

It depends. With 22.5% of the population being renters, there is a moderate level of demand for rental properties. However, the lack of DOM data makes it challenging to assess how quickly properties are rented out. If you can secure a steady flow of Section 8 tenants, the rental percentage indicates sufficient demand. Consider local economic conditions and the availability of Section 8 vouchers to further inform your decision.

In summary, purchasing a property in Grindstone, PA for Section 8 investment hinges on whether the FMR covers your debt service, the relationship between market rent and FMR, and the strength of rental demand. With the given data, ensure your financials align with the FMR of $990 and market rent of $1,047, and gauge the local rental environment beyond the provided statistics.

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.