Location: Mercer County, PA | Metro: Crawford 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 | $710 |
| 1 Bedroom | $800 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,010 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,410 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,600 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $1,856 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $2,079 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $2,245 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $2,357 |
Zillow median home prices vs Section 8 FMR rates (Data: 2026-08-31)
| Bedrooms | Monthly FMR | Median Price | 1% Rule | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $1,010 | $126,119 | 0.8% | C |
| 3BR | $1,410 | $167,937 | 0.84% | C |
| 4BR | $1,600 | $197,306 | 0.81% | C |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
850 is the Fair Market Rent (FMR) for ZIP code 16125 in Greenville, PA, for fiscal year 2024. 786 represents the actual market rent based on Census ACS data, indicating a gap between the FMR and what tenants are paying. 154,493 is the median home value in the area, suggesting that property values are relatively stable. 28.5 is the percentage of households that are renters, showing a significant portion of the population relies on rental housing. 54,787 is the median income figure, which helps determine the financial stability of potential tenants. Unfortunately, the data does not provide the average days on market (DOM), making it harder to assess how quickly properties are being leased. 0.2 is the percentage of listings that have been price-cut, indicating that very few landlords need to reduce their asking rents to attract tenants.
In Greenville, PA, the gap between the FMR and the actual market rent suggests an opportunity for landlords to increase their rental income while still remaining competitive. The median home value at 154,493 indicates that properties are affordable, and the relatively low percentage of price-cut listings at 0.2 shows that demand for rentals is strong. Given that 28.5 of households are renters and the median income stands at 54,787, there is a solid tenant base with the means to pay reasonable rents.
A final consideration for Section 8 participation is the income levels of potential tenants. With the median income at 54,787, many residents would likely qualify for the program, which sets payment standards at 850 for the area. This aligns well with the actual market rent of 786, making Section 8 a viable option for landlords looking to fill vacancies without significantly reducing their rental rates.
Verdict: Section 8 is a sound investment strategy for Greenville, PA, given the alignment of payment standards with market rents and the presence of a financially stable tenant pool.
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.