Location: Pike County, PA | Metro: Monroe 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 | $1,040 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,090 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,380 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,860 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $2,260 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $2,622 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $2,937 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $3,172 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $3,331 |
Zillow median home prices vs Section 8 FMR rates (Data: 2026-08-31)
| Bedrooms | Monthly FMR | Median Price | 1% Rule | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $1,380 | $196,266 | 0.7% | D |
| 3BR | $1,860 | $281,034 | 0.66% | D |
| 4BR | $2,260 | $345,279 | 0.65% | D |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
To determine if you should buy in ZIP code 18328 (Dingmans Ferry, PA) for Section 8 purposes, follow these steps:
Step 1: Does the Fair Market Rent (FMR) of $1480 cover the debt service on a $258,797 property?
No. The FMR of $1480 does not sufficiently cover the debt service on a property valued at $258,797. Assuming a standard mortgage rate of around 4%, the monthly mortgage payment alone would be approximately $1,260, which exceeds the FMR. This makes it challenging to rely solely on Section 8 tenants to meet financial obligations.
Step 2: Is the market rent of $1,138 above, at, or below the FMR?
Below. The market rent of $1,138 is below the FMR of $1480. This suggests that landlords might find some flexibility in setting rents slightly higher than the market average but still within the FMR limits. However, it also indicates that the gap between market rent and FMR is relatively narrow, limiting the potential for premium pricing.
Step 3: Are there enough renters and days on the market (DOM) to ensure sufficient demand?
It Depends. With 10.0% of residents being renters, the rental market in Dingmans Ferry has limited demand. The data shows that the days on the market (DOM) are listed as N/A, which means we do not have accurate information on how quickly properties are rented out. If the rental market is sluggish, landlords may struggle to fill vacancies promptly. However, if the local economy supports a steady flow of tenants, then the 10.0% figure could be manageable.
If the answer to Step 1 is No, then it is generally not advisable to purchase a property in this ZIP code for Section 8 purposes due to the inability to cover debt service with the FMR. Even if market rent is below FMR (Step 2), the primary concern is ensuring that the rent can cover the mortgage payments. For Step 3, if the rental market is slow, it further complicates the investment viability. Landlords should consider these factors carefully before making an investment decision.
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.