Location: Union County, PA | Metro: Snyder 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 | $760 |
| 1 Bedroom | $950 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,030 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,430 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,720 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $1,995 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $2,234 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $2,413 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $2,534 |
Zillow median home prices vs Section 8 FMR rates (Data: 2026-08-31)
| Bedrooms | Monthly FMR | Median Price | 1% Rule | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $1,030 | $231,013 | 0.45% | F |
| 3BR | $1,430 | $285,104 | 0.5% | F |
| 4BR | $1,720 | $380,017 | 0.45% | F |
| 5BR | $1,995 | $451,985 | 0.44% | F |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
To decide whether you should buy in ZIP code 17844 (Mifflinburg, PA) for Section 8, follow these steps:
Yes, you should consider buying in this area. The market rent being above the FMR indicates that properties could potentially be rented out at higher rates, providing a margin beyond the guaranteed Section 8 income.
Yes, but with caution. Since the market rent is equal to the FMR, there is little room for additional revenue unless you manage to lease to non-Section 8 tenants willing to pay the FMR.
No. While Section 8 guarantees a certain level of income, having market rents below the FMR suggests limited flexibility to adjust rents upwards, which could impact your overall profitability.
No. If the FMR does not cover the debt service, then the property will not be financially viable even with the stability of Section 8 tenants.
The rental demand in Mifflinburg, PA is strong with 30.0% of residents being renters. However, the data shows 'N/A' for days on the market (DOM), meaning there is insufficient information to evaluate how quickly properties are typically leased. This uncertainty could affect your ability to secure a tenant promptly.
Given the above analysis, the viability of purchasing a property in ZIP 17844 hinges primarily on the ability to clear debt service and the relationship between market rent and FMR. Rental demand appears adequate, but the lack of DOM data introduces a risk factor that must be considered.
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.