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 | $940 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,000 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,210 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,540 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,680 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $1,949 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $2,183 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $2,358 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $2,476 |
Zillow median home prices vs Section 8 FMR rates (Data: 2026-08-31)
| Bedrooms | Monthly FMR | Median Price | 1% Rule | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $1,210 | $96,808 | 1.25% | A |
| 3BR | $1,540 | $211,522 | 0.73% | D |
| 4BR | $1,680 | $194,372 | 0.86% | C |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
The economics of Section 8 housing in ZIP code 15480, Smock, PA, within Fayette County, revolve around the SAFMR (Small Area Fair Market Rent) for a two-bedroom apartment, which is set at $920 per month for fiscal year 2024. This SAFMR is specifically tailored for this ZIP code, meaning it reflects the rental rates unique to this area.
A landlord participating in the Section 8 program receives payment from the Housing Choice Voucher program, which covers the majority of the rent. The tenant is responsible for paying approximately 30% of their income towards rent. For simplicity, let's assume a tenant's monthly income is $1,500; they would pay $450 toward rent. This leaves the remaining $470 to be covered by the voucher program.
In addition to the base rent, the voucher also includes utility allowances. These allowances vary but are designed to help cover the costs of electricity, gas, water, and other utilities. If we consider an average utility allowance of $150 per month, the total amount the voucher program will pay is $620 ($470 base rent + $150 utilities).
This means the landlord receives $620 from the voucher program plus $450 from the tenant, totaling $1,070. However, since the SAFMR for ZIP 15480 is $920, the landlord will receive $150 less than the SAFMR if the tenant's income and utility usage align closely with these assumptions. Therefore, there is a reimbursement gap of $150 per month between the SAFMR and the actual amount received from the voucher program and tenant.
To summarize, landlords in ZIP 15480 who accept Section 8 vouchers for a two-bedroom unit can expect a total monthly income of $1,070, assuming the tenant's income and utility usage match the examples given. Given the SAFMR of $920, landlords will have a surplus of $150 per month, though this surplus could be a gap if market rents exceed the SAFMR or if tenant incomes are lower than assumed.
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.