Location: Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | Metro: Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, 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 | $930 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,090 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,340 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,760 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,930 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $2,239 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $2,508 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $2,709 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $2,844 |
Zillow median home prices vs Section 8 FMR rates (Data: 2026-07-31)
| Bedrooms | Monthly FMR | Median Price | 1% Rule | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $1,340 | $187,258 | 0.72% | D |
| 3BR | $1,760 | $225,606 | 0.78% | D |
| 4BR | $1,930 | $288,135 | 0.67% | D |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
The classification of ZIP code 18643, located in Exeter, PA, reveals a market that leans towards steady cash flow rather than a high-yield/low-stability flip-style environment. This conclusion is driven by several key figures.
First, let's consider the yield. The Fair Market Rent (FMR) for 2024 is set at $1010, while the market rent stands at $981. These figures suggest that rental income will be slightly above market average, providing a modest premium for landlords. However, the median home value of $216,910 indicates a relatively expensive property market, which means higher acquisition costs. To achieve a high yield, typically one would see a significant gap between the FMR and the median home value, but here the difference is minimal, pointing more towards a moderate yield.
Moving on to stability, the data shows that 29.1% of residents are renters, which is a moderate percentage. While it doesn't indicate a highly stable tenant base, it also doesn't suggest a volatile market. Additionally, the median household income of $63,125 supports the ability of tenants to pay rent consistently, further enhancing the stability of rental income. The lack of data on days on market (DOM) could imply that the local real estate market is neither particularly quick nor slow to sell properties, which doesn't heavily influence the stability classification but does leave some uncertainty.
To summarize, ZIP 18643 is best categorized as a steady-cashflow zone due to the combination of moderate rental yields and reasonable stability factors. The close alignment between the FMR ($1010) and the market rent ($981), coupled with the median household income ($63,125), suggests that landlords can expect reliable rental income without the risk and reward profile associated with flipping properties in a low-stability/high-yield market.
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.