Section 8 Fair Market Rent (FMR) for ZIP 18834 - 2027
Location: Susquehanna County, PA | Metro: Susquehanna County, PA
FY 2027 Fair Market Rent Rates
| Unit Size |
Monthly FMR |
| Studio | $820 |
| 1 Bedroom | $860 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,110 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,450 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,520 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $1,763 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $1,975 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $2,133 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $2,240 |
Demographics & Housing Statistics
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
Median Household Income
$70,323
The analysis of ZIP code 18834 in Susquehanna County, PA, reveals several key points for potential landlords and small-portfolio investors.
- Does the rent math work? The Fair Market Rent (FMR) for the metro area in fiscal year 2026 is set at $1,100. However, the current market rent as per the Census ACS is lower at $1,021. This indicates that landlords might need to adjust their expectations slightly, as the actual market rent is below the FMR.
- Is acquisition affordable? With a median home value of $230,946, acquiring properties in ZIP 18834 is relatively affordable compared to many other areas. Unfortunately, data on days on market (DOM) and the percentage of homes requiring price cuts is not available, which means there's no direct measure of how quickly homes sell or if they typically require price reductions. This could be due to low activity levels or a stable market where homes sell at or near asking price.
- Is there tenant demand? The ZIP code has a population of 3,245, with 21.3% of residents being renters. This suggests a moderate tenant demand, but it's important to note that the overall population size limits the number of potential tenants. Despite this, the renter share is significant enough to support rental properties.
A summary of the findings indicates that while the rent math is close to working, with only a slight gap between the FMR and market rent, the acquisition cost is reasonable. Tenant demand is present, though limited by the small population size. Landlords should consider these factors carefully before investing, focusing on the manageable acquisition costs and the existing renter base, despite the need to align rents with market rates rather than FMR targets.
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.