Location: Monroe County, PA | Metro: Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA HUD Metro FMR Area
| Unit Size | Monthly FMR |
|---|---|
| Studio | $1,240 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,410 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,710 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $2,170 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $2,390 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $2,772 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $3,105 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $3,353 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $3,521 |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
ZIP 18210, located in Albrightsville, PA, within the Monroe County, PA metro area, is best suited as a cash-flow anchor in a Section 8 portfolio strategy. The Federal Market Rent (FMR) for a one-bedroom apartment in this ZIP code for fiscal year 2024 is set at $1,570, while the average market rent is $1,328. This $242 difference indicates that landlords can expect higher guaranteed income through Section 8 vouchers compared to market rents.
The median home value in ZIP 18210 stands at $269,855, which has seen a slight decline of 2.2% over the past year. This suggests a stable or slightly depreciating market, making it an ideal location for anchoring cash flows. Landlords who invest in this area can rely on consistent rental income from the government-subsidized program, ensuring steady cash flow even if property values do not increase significantly.
Furthermore, the low price-cut share of 0.1% and a days-on-market (DOM) of 39 indicate a relatively efficient market where properties sell quickly without significant price reductions. This efficiency supports the idea of using ZIP 18210 as a cash-flow anchor, as it reduces the risk of prolonged vacancies or the need to lower rents to attract tenants.
The 8.6% renter share and median income of $70,683 suggest a moderate level of demand for rental properties, but these factors do not outweigh the benefits of the higher FMR compared to market rents. Therefore, while ZIP 18210 could serve as a diversifier, its primary role should be as a cash-flow anchor, providing reliable and predictable income to balance out other parts of a landlord's or investor's portfolio.
Data Sources: FMR data from HUD (2027). 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.