Section 8 Fair Market Rent (FMR) for ZIP 18830 - 2027
Location: Susquehanna County, PA | Metro: Bradford County, PA
FY 2027 Fair Market Rent Rates
| Unit Size |
Monthly FMR |
| Studio | $880 |
| 1 Bedroom | $920 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,180 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,530 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,630 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $1,891 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $2,118 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $2,287 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $2,401 |
Demographics & Housing Statistics
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
Median Household Income
$67,969
To determine if a landlord should buy in ZIP code 18830 for Section 8 purposes, follow this decision tree:
- 1) Does the Fair Market Rent (FMR) of $1,120 clear debt service on a property?
- If the landlord can find a property where the monthly debt service (including mortgage, taxes, insurance, and maintenance) is less than $1,120, then the answer is Yes. The FMR provides sufficient income to cover expenses.
- If the debt service exceeds $1,120, then the answer is No. The landlord would need to look for properties with lower acquisition costs or operating expenses to ensure that the FMR covers all obligations.
- 2) Is the market rent of $920 above, at, or below the FMR?
- If the market rent is below the FMR, the answer is It Depends. While the landlord would be able to charge the higher FMR rate, they must consider whether there is enough demand to fill units at that price point.
- If the market rent is equal to or above the FMR, the answer is Yes. The landlord can expect to compete effectively with other rental offerings in the area, and the FMR will not be a limiting factor.
- 3) Are 13.4% of residents renters, and is the days on market (DOM) sufficient to meet demand?
- If the DOM indicates a quick turnover and the percentage of renters is stable or growing, the answer is Yes. There is enough demand to support Section 8 rentals without significant vacancy concerns.
- If the DOM is long and the percentage of renters is declining, the answer is No. The landlord might face challenges in filling vacancies, which could affect cash flow negatively.
- If the DOM is moderate and the percentage of renters is somewhat volatile, the answer is It Depends. The landlord needs to assess the stability of the rental market and possibly diversify their tenant mix beyond just Section 8.
The decision to invest in ZIP 18830 hinges on these factors. The landlord must ensure that the FMR clears their debt service, the market rent is supportive, and the local rental market has enough demand to sustain occupancy rates.
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.