Location: Crawford County, PA | Metro: Erie, PA MSA
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 | $760 |
| 1 Bedroom | $860 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,100 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,350 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,520 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $1,763 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $1,975 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $2,133 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $2,240 |
Zillow median home prices vs Section 8 FMR rates (Data: 2026-08-31)
| Bedrooms | Monthly FMR | Median Price | 1% Rule | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $1,100 | $182,049 | 0.6% | D |
| 3BR | $1,350 | $217,137 | 0.62% | D |
| 4BR | $1,520 | $232,678 | 0.65% | D |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
The HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) for Albion, PA, in ZIP 16401, for fiscal year 2024 is set at $860. In contrast, the Census ACS reported an average market rent of $666. This indicates that voucher tenants in Albion can cashflow at the FMR rate, as the HUD payment is higher than the typical market rent.
To derive the rent-to-price ratio, we consider the median home value of $200,350. Using the HUD FMR of $860, the annual rent would be approximately $10,320. This results in a rent-to-price ratio of about 5.15%, calculated as follows: ($10,320 / $200,350) * 100 = 5.15%. This ratio suggests that the rental income generated from a property valued at the median home price would cover less than half of its value annually, indicating a relatively low rental yield compared to the property value.
The median days on market (DOM) and percentage of price cuts are not available for Albion, PA. However, these metrics typically influence rent-versus-buy dynamics. In areas where DOM is high and the percentage of price cuts is significant, it often indicates a challenging environment for home sales, which could favor rental investments.
In conclusion, the strongest investor angle in Albion, PA, appears to be cashflow. Given the discrepancy between the HUD FMR and the actual market rent, landlords and small-portfolio investors can expect positive cashflow from voucher tenants without necessarily requiring premium units. This makes Albion an attractive market for those prioritizing steady rental income over potential property appreciation or long-term stability.
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.