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 | $740 |
| 1 Bedroom | $860 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,010 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,410 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,530 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $1,775 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $1,988 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $2,147 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $2,254 |
Zillow median home prices vs Section 8 FMR rates (Data: 2026-07-31)
| Bedrooms | Monthly FMR | Median Price | 1% Rule | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $1,010 | $168,811 | 0.6% | F |
| 3BR | $1,410 | $203,656 | 0.69% | D |
| 4BR | $1,530 | $264,488 | 0.58% | F |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
A landlord considering ZIP 15759 (Marion Center, PA) for a Section 8 investment must follow a structured decision-making process based on the financial and market conditions. Here's a step-by-step analysis:
Step 1: Debt Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR)
The Fair Market Rent (FMR) for Marion Center, PA, is $970 per month for the metro area fiscal year 2026. To determine if this clears debt service on a property valued at $188,573, calculate the DSCR. A typical mortgage payment for a property of this value might be around $970 per month, which aligns perfectly with the FMR. This suggests that the FMR can cover the monthly mortgage payment, leading to a Yes for this condition.
Step 2: Market Rent Comparison
The Census American Community Survey (ACS) reports the average market rent in Marion Center, PA, at $804 per month. Comparing this to the FMR of $970, we see that the market rent is below the FMR. This indicates that landlords could potentially receive higher rents under Section 8 compared to the standard market rates, making it a favorable option. The answer here is also Yes.
Step 3: Rental Demand Analysis
In Marion Center, PA, 22.6% of the population are renters. However, the data does not provide the number of days on the market (DOM), which would typically indicate how quickly properties are rented out. Despite this missing information, the percentage of renters is relatively low. This suggests that there may not be a strong rental demand, leading to an It Depends response. The key factor will be the stability of the local rental market and the availability of Section 8 vouchers.
To conclude, if a landlord asks whether they should buy in ZIP 15759 for Section 8, the answer hinges on the following points:
The final decision will depend on the landlord's ability to navigate these conditions and their comfort level with the local rental market.
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.