Location: Gettysburg, PA | Metro: Chambersburg, 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 | $920 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,020 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,270 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,690 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,820 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $2,111 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $2,364 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $2,553 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $2,681 |
Zillow median home prices vs Section 8 FMR rates (Data: 2026-07-31)
| Bedrooms | Monthly FMR | Median Price | 1% Rule | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $1,270 | $233,385 | 0.54% | F |
| 3BR | $1,690 | $307,131 | 0.55% | F |
| 4BR | $1,820 | $381,453 | 0.48% | F |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
To determine if you should buy in ZIP code 17222 (Chambersburg, PA) for Section 8 investments, follow this decision tree:
1) Does FMR $1200 (zip FY 2024) clear debt service on a $284,319 property?
2) Is market rent $890 (Census ACS) above, at, or below FMR?
3) Are 12.5% renters + 22-day DOM enough demand?
In summary, while the FMR provides a higher rent than the market average, the financial feasibility of purchasing a $284,319 property for Section 8 is questionable due to the high debt service costs. There is moderate demand for rentals, but securing tenants who can pay the FMR will require diligence in tenant screening and possibly leveraging other sources of income to make the investment viable.
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.