Location: Indiana County, PA | Metro: Indiana County, PA
| Unit Size | Monthly FMR |
|---|---|
| Studio | $750 |
| 1 Bedroom | $860 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,010 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,390 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,510 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $1,752 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $1,962 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $2,119 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $2,225 |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
The analysis of ZIP code 15716 in the Indiana County, PA metro area reveals several key insights for landlords and small-portfolio investors.
The rent math does not work favorably here. The Fair Market Rent (FMR) for the area, set at $970 for fiscal year 2026, significantly exceeds the current market rent of $440 based on Census ACS data. This gap suggests that properties priced at the FMR level will struggle to attract tenants willing to pay those rates.
Regarding property acquisition, the metrics are less clear due to the lack of specific data points. The median home value and average days on market (DOM) are listed as N/A, as well as the percentage of homes that require a price cut. Without these figures, it's challenging to assess the affordability of acquiring properties in this ZIP code.
Tenant demand is moderate. With a population of 369, the ZIP code has a notable 41.8% renter share. However, the small overall population limits the pool of potential tenants, which could impact occupancy rates and the ability to fill vacancies quickly.
Verdict: Investing in ZIP 15716 is not advisable due to the significant disparity between the FMR and actual market rents. Even though there is a reasonable percentage of renters, the limited population size and unclear acquisition costs present additional risks. Landlords should seek areas where the market rent aligns more closely with the FMR to ensure viable returns on investment.
Data Sources: FMR data from HUD (2027). 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.