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 | $1,800 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,950 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $2,330 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $2,780 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $3,060 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $3,550 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $3,976 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $4,294 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $4,509 |
Zillow median home prices vs Section 8 FMR rates (Data: 2026-07-31)
| Bedrooms | Monthly FMR | Median Price | 1% Rule | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $2,330 | $609,145 | 0.38% | F |
| 3BR | $2,780 | $730,078 | 0.38% | F |
| 4BR | $3,060 | $1,103,706 | 0.28% | F |
| 5BR | $3,550 | $1,639,012 | 0.22% | F |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
To determine if a landlord should invest in ZIP 19312 (Berwyn, PA) for Section 8 properties, follow this decision tree:
1) Does FMR $2280 (zip FY 2024) clear debt service on a $969,783 property?
2) Is market rent $2,410 (ZORI) above, at, or below FMR?
3) Are 12.9% renters + N/A-day DOM enough demand?
The decision to purchase in ZIP 19312 hinges on the alignment between FMR and debt service requirements. Since the FMR does not cover the debt service, the primary consideration should be whether supplementary income can make up the difference. Additionally, the market rent being above FMR provides an opportunity for diversification beyond Section 8 tenants, though this does not directly address the feasibility of Section 8 investments. Lastly, the rental demand is present, but the absence of DOM data leaves uncertainty about the speed and ease of renting units, impacting cash flow and investment return timelines.
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.