Location: Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA | Metro: Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD 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 | $1,810 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,960 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $2,340 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $2,790 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $3,080 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $3,573 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $4,002 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $4,322 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $4,538 |
Zillow median home prices vs Section 8 FMR rates (Data: 2026-08-31)
| Bedrooms | Monthly FMR | Median Price | 1% Rule | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $2,340 | $745,123 | 0.31% | F |
| 3BR | $2,790 | $929,830 | 0.3% | F |
| 4BR | $3,080 | $1,218,234 | 0.25% | F |
| 5BR | $3,573 | $2,286,633 | 0.16% | F |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
The rent math in ZIP code 19041, located in Haverford, Pennsylvania, within the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington metro area, does not work in favor of landlords participating in the Section 8 program. The Fair Market Rent (FMR) set at $2400 for the fiscal year 2024 is significantly lower than the market rent reported at $3,388 according to the Census ACS data. This discrepancy means that landlords would be receiving less than two-thirds of the market rate if they choose to participate in Section 8.
Acquisition in this ZIP code is relatively expensive, with a median home value of $1,135,366. The lack of data on days on market (DOM) and the percentage of homes sold with a price cut suggests that the housing market is stable and possibly favors sellers. However, given the high median home value, it also implies that potential acquisitions might be costly, especially considering the lower rental income from Section 8.
Tenant demand in ZIP 19041 is moderate. With a total population of 6,308, and 32.7% of the residents being renters, there are approximately 2,057 potential tenants who could be interested in Section 8 properties. This figure indicates a reasonable pool of renters but also highlights the limited size of the market compared to larger urban areas within the metro region.
Overall, ZIP 19041 presents a challenging environment for landlords and small-portfolio investors looking to engage with the Section 8 program. The substantial gap between the FMR and market rents, coupled with the high median home values, makes participation financially unattractive. While there is a modest demand from tenants, the cost of acquisition and the lower rental income suggest that other ZIP codes within the metro area might offer better opportunities for investment.
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.