Location: Pike County, PA | Metro: Pike 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 | $1,100 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,350 |
| 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 | $1,350 | $275,834 | 0.49% | F |
| 3BR | $1,860 | $305,643 | 0.61% | D |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
To determine if you should buy in ZIP code 18336 (Matamoras, PA) for Section 8 investment, follow these steps:
1) Does FMR $1390 (zip FY 2024) clear debt service on a $298,801 property?
Yes. The Fair Market Rent (FMR) for ZIP 18336 in fiscal year 2024 is $1390. This amount is likely sufficient to cover the debt service on a property valued at $298,801, assuming typical financing terms and costs.
No. If your debt service exceeds $1390 per month, then purchasing a property in this ZIP code for Section 8 purposes would not be financially viable.
It depends. The exact answer will depend on the specific mortgage rate, term length, and other financial obligations associated with the property. However, based on average rates, $1390 should generally clear the debt service.
2) Is market rent $1,216 (Census ACS) above, at, or below FMR?
Above. If the market rent is higher than the FMR, it suggests that there is potential for profit beyond what Section 8 can provide. In this case, the market rent is below the FMR, so this is not applicable.
At. If the market rent equals the FMR, it means that the Section 8 rent covers the market rent exactly. Here, the market rent of $1216 is below the FMR, so this is also not applicable.
Below. The market rent of $1216 is below the FMR of $1390. This indicates that Section 8 tenants can pay slightly more than what the market demands, which could be beneficial for landlords who want to avoid losing money.
3) Are 36.4% renters + N/A-day days on market (DOM) enough demand?
Yes. With 36.4% of residents being renters, there is a significant portion of the population that may be interested in rental properties. The lack of specific days on market (DOM) data does not hinder the decision, as long-term rental demand is strong.
No. If the percentage of renters was low, or if the DOM indicated a slow market, then demand might not be sufficient. However, given the high percentage of renters, this is unlikely to be an issue.
It depends. While the percentage of renters is high, the absence of DOM data means you cannot assess how quickly properties are rented out. This uncertainty could affect cash flow expectations. Still, the strong rental percentage suggests that finding tenants should not be difficult.
If you can clear debt service with the FMR and the market rent is below the FMR, and if the high percentage of renters supports demand, then buying in ZIP 18336 for Section 8 investment is a reasonable decision. However, always consider local market conditions and trends before making any investment decisions.
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.