Location: Tioga County, PA | Metro: Tioga 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 | $720 |
| 1 Bedroom | $800 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,030 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,300 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,360 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $1,578 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $1,767 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $1,908 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $2,003 |
Zillow median home prices vs Section 8 FMR rates (Data: 2026-08-31)
| Bedrooms | Monthly FMR | Median Price | 1% Rule | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $1,030 | $192,904 | 0.53% | F |
| 3BR | $1,300 | $214,762 | 0.61% | D |
| 4BR | $1,360 | $248,832 | 0.55% | F |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
In Tioga, PA (ZIP 16946), the HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) for a two-bedroom unit in the Tioga County metro area for fiscal year 2026 is $1,080. This is higher than the market rent of $885 reported by the Census ACS. As a result, voucher tenants in this area would cashflow at the FMR, meaning landlords would receive sufficient funds to cover costs and generate profit without needing to rely on premium units.
The median home value in Tioga, PA, is $205,334. Using this figure, we can derive a rent-to-price ratio. With the market rent at $885, the ratio is approximately 1.05%, indicating that rental income is relatively low compared to the median home value. This suggests that owning property for investment purposes might yield better returns through appreciation rather than rental income alone.
Note that there is no available data for the median Days on Market (DOM) or the percentage of homes that experienced price cuts in Tioga, PA. However, the lack of such data does not significantly impact the analysis of rent versus buy dynamics in this area.
The strongest angle for investors in Tioga, PA, is likely appreciation, given the low rent-to-price ratio and the potential for modest but steady increases in property values over time.
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.