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 | $1,580 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,720 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $2,050 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $2,440 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $2,690 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $3,120 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $3,494 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $3,774 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $3,963 |
Zillow median home prices vs Section 8 FMR rates (Data: 2026-07-31)
| Bedrooms | Monthly FMR | Median Price | 1% Rule | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $2,050 | $368,247 | 0.56% | F |
| 3BR | $2,440 | $378,214 | 0.65% | D |
| 4BR | $2,690 | $407,928 | 0.66% | D |
| 5BR | $3,120 | $448,825 | 0.7% | D |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
In ZIP code 19055, which encompasses Levittown, Pennsylvania in Bucks County, the economics of Section 8 vouchers are straightforward. The SAFMR (Small Area Fair Market Rent) for a two-bedroom apartment is set at $1790 per month for fiscal year 2024. This rate is specifically tailored for this ZIP code, reflecting the local rental market conditions more accurately than broader county or metropolitan averages.
The local market rent, according to the Census ACS (American Community Survey), is $1663 for a similar two-bedroom unit. Landlords might wonder how the SAFMR impacts their income when a tenant uses a Section 8 voucher. Here's the breakdown:
A landlord can expect the voucher program to cover a significant portion of the rent but not the entire amount. The Housing Authority determines the tenant's portion of the rent based on their income, typically requiring them to pay 30% of their adjusted monthly income towards housing. For instance, if a tenant's adjusted monthly income is $1500, they would contribute $450 towards the rent ($1500 x 0.30).
The remaining amount, up to the SAFMR of $1790, would be covered by the voucher. However, it's important to note that the voucher payment is subject to the actual rent charged being reasonable and comparable to market rates. In this case, since the market rent is below the SAFMR, the voucher would likely cover the difference between the tenant's contribution and the actual market rent of $1663.
This means that if a landlord charges the market rate of $1663, and the tenant contributes $450, the voucher would cover the rest, ensuring the landlord receives the full market rent. The calculation would look like this: $1663 - $450 = $1213 covered by the voucher. Thus, there is no reimbursement gap; instead, the landlord receives the full market rent of $1663.
In summary, for a two-bedroom apartment in ZIP 19055, the SAFMR of $1790 ensures that landlords receive the local market rent of $1663 when a tenant uses a Section 8 voucher. There is no surplus or shortfall; the voucher system is designed to align with the local rental market, providing landlords with a stable and predictable income stream that matches the prevailing rents in the area.
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.