Location: Indiana County, PA | Metro: Indiana County, PA
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 | $780 |
| 1 Bedroom | $910 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,070 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,470 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,610 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $1,868 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $2,092 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $2,259 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $2,372 |
Zillow median home prices vs Section 8 FMR rates (Data: 2026-07-31)
| Bedrooms | Monthly FMR | Median Price | 1% Rule | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $1,070 | $121,103 | 0.88% | C |
| 3BR | $1,470 | $170,278 | 0.86% | C |
| 4BR | $1,610 | $188,580 | 0.85% | C |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
The ZIP code 15748, located in Homer City, PA, represents an area that is moderately renter-heavy but not dominated by rental properties. With a population of 7,343, approximately 18.6% are renters, indicating a smaller pool of potential Section 8 tenants compared to areas with higher percentages of renters. The median household income in this ZIP is $70,474, which provides a baseline for understanding the economic landscape.
In Homer City, the average market rent is $818 per month. This amount equates to roughly 12% of the median household income, suggesting that typical rent is relatively affordable for most residents. However, when considering the Federal Market Rent (FMR) of $1,000 for the metropolitan area, it's clear that the market rent in Homer City is below the FMR threshold, which can be advantageous for landlords who accept Section 8 vouchers.
A landlord in ZIP 15748 should expect a mix of tenants, including those who might rely on Section 8 vouchers due to lower incomes. Given the lower market rent compared to the FMR, there is likely a steady demand for rental units that accept vouchers. However, the overall number of renters is limited by the relatively low percentage of the population that rents, which means the competition for Section 8 tenants could be moderate rather than intense.
To summarize, while Homer City has a smaller tenant pool, the affordability of the market rent relative to the median income supports the viability of renting to Section 8 tenants. Landlords should prepare for a tenant base that includes individuals and families seeking assistance through housing vouchers, though they may also encounter a mix of other renters who do not require such support.
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.