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 | $1,840 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,990 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $2,380 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $2,840 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $3,130 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $3,631 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $4,067 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $4,392 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $4,612 |
Zillow median home prices vs Section 8 FMR rates (Data: 2026-08-31)
| Bedrooms | Monthly FMR | Median Price | 1% Rule | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1BR | $1,990 | $182,187 | 1.09% | B |
| 2BR | $2,380 | $212,659 | 1.12% | B |
| 3BR | $2,840 | $335,207 | 0.85% | C |
| 4BR | $3,130 | $434,468 | 0.72% | D |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
The ZIP code 19453, located in Mont Clare, PA, has a population of 1,259 individuals, with 38.9% being renters. This indicates that it is a moderately renter-heavy area, though not overwhelmingly so. The median household income stands at $80,583, which is relatively high compared to national averages. Given the market rent of $2,186, we can calculate that typical rent consumes approximately 27% of the median household income. This figure is derived by dividing the market rent by the median income and multiplying by 100. The Federal Market Rent (FMR) for FY 2024 is set at $2,100, which is slightly below the market rent but still close enough to suggest strong voucher demand.
The income level in Mont Clare suggests that tenants who rely on Section 8 vouchers will likely face challenges affording market rents without additional financial support. Landlords should be prepared for a tenant pool that includes those seeking assistance through housing vouchers. However, the moderate rental rate penetration into local incomes indicates that tenants may also include those who do not require government subsidies, but rather seek affordable housing options within their budget.
A landlord in ZIP 19453 should expect tenants who are generally financially stable due to the higher median income. These tenants will likely be able to afford the market rent but might still prefer the security and predictability of Section 8 vouchers. The proximity of the FMR to the market rent supports the idea that there is a reasonable demand for vouchers, making it a viable option for landlords looking to attract tenants through this program.
To summarize, while Mont Clare is not dominated by homeowners, it is also not an area with deep voucher demand. The combination of a moderate renter population and relatively high median income suggests a balanced tenant pool, including both those who use Section 8 vouchers and those who pay market rent independently.
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.