Section 8 Fair Market Rent (FMR) for ZIP 18655 - 2027

Location: Columbia County, PA | Metro: Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA MSA

FY 2027 Fair Market Rent Rates

Unit Size	Monthly FMR
Studio	$890
1 Bedroom	$1,040
2 Bedrooms	$1,280
3 Bedrooms	$1,680
4 Bedrooms	$1,840
5 Bedrooms	$2,134
6 Bedrooms	$2,390
7 Bedrooms	$2,581
8 Bedrooms	$2,710

Demographics & Housing Statistics

U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)

Population

6,018

Median Household Income

$72,571

Housing Units

2,976

Renter Percentage

17.0%

Occupancy Rate

84.6%

Renter Occupied

429

Housing Authorities Serving ZIP 18655

Housing Authority of the County of Luzerne (Kingston, PA) - 1,123 Section 8 vouchers
Wilkes Barre Housing Authority (Wilkes Barre, PA) - 957 Section 8 vouchers
Columbia County Housing Authority (Bloomsburg, PA) - 475 Section 8 vouchers
The Housing Authority of the City of Hazleton (Hazleton, PA) - 347 Section 8 vouchers
Housing Authority of the City of Pittston (Pittston, PA) - 147 Section 8 vouchers
The Housing Auth of the City of Nanticoke (Nanticoke, PA) - 55 Section 8 vouchers

The ZIP code 18655, located in Pennsylvania, offers a stable environment for real estate investment, particularly in the rental sector. The area benefits from a mix of residential properties and has seen consistent demand from both renters and buyers.

Fair Market Rent (FMR): For the fiscal year 2024, the FMR for ZIP 18655 is set at $1010, providing a benchmark for rental pricing that landlords can use to ensure their properties remain competitive.
Market Rent: According to Census ACS data, the average market rent in ZIP 18655 is $973, slightly below the FMR but still indicative of a healthy rental market.
Median Home Value: The median home value in the area stands at $224,761, which is a reasonable figure for potential property investments given the local economic conditions.
Renter Share: With 17.0% of households being renters, there is a significant but not overwhelming population of tenants, suggesting a balanced market between homeowners and renters.
Days on Market (DOM): The data does not provide specific days on market information, which could indicate a relatively quick turnover for properties once they are listed for sale or rent.
Median Income: The median household income in ZIP 18655 is $72,571, offering insight into the financial capacity of residents and their ability to afford housing costs.

In summary, ZIP 18655 presents a viable investment opportunity for landlords and small-portfolio investors due to its established rental prices and median home values. The slight gap between the FMR and market rent suggests room for growth in rental income. Additionally, the median income level supports the sustainability of housing costs within the area. Although specific days on market data is unavailable, the overall economic indicators suggest a stable and potentially profitable market for real estate investments.

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.