Section 8 Fair Market Rent (FMR) for ZIP 19951 - 2027
Location: Sussex County, DE | Metro: Sussex County, DE
Investment Score for ZIP 19951
N/A
Monthly Rent (2BR)
$1,640
Based on 1% Rule: A+ (≥1.5%) | A (≥1.2%) | B (≥1.0%) | C (≥0.8%) | D (≥0.6%) | F (<0.6%)
FY 2027 Fair Market Rent Rates
| Unit Size |
Monthly FMR |
| Studio | $1,250 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,260 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,640 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $2,010 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $2,430 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $2,819 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $3,157 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $3,410 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $3,581 |
Investment Analysis by Bedroom Size
Zillow median home prices vs Section 8 FMR rates (Data: 2026-08-31)
| Bedrooms |
Monthly FMR |
Median Price |
1% Rule |
Grade |
| 3BR |
$2,010 |
$495,534 |
0.41% |
F |
| 4BR |
$2,430 |
$609,691 |
0.4% |
F |
Demographics & Housing Statistics
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
Median Household Income
$95,546
To determine if you should buy in ZIP code 19951 for Section 8 investments, follow this decision tree:
- Does the Fair Market Rent (FMR) of $1850 cover the debt service on a property valued at $524,273?
- If yes: The FMR of $1850 is sufficient to meet the debt service requirements for a property costing $524,273. This makes the ZIP code financially viable for Section 8 properties.
- If no: The FMR of $1850 does not clear the debt service on a property priced at $524,273. Therefore, purchasing in this area for Section 8 would not be advisable due to financial constraints.
- Is the market rent above, at, or below the FMR?
- If market rent is above FMR: The market rent exceeds the FMR of $1850, indicating that non-Section 8 tenants might pay higher rents. This could provide additional flexibility in pricing and tenant selection.
- If market rent is at FMR: Market rent aligns with the FMR of $1850, meaning there is no premium over the FMR for non-Section 8 tenants. Relying solely on Section 8 vouchers would be necessary.
- If market rent is below FMR: Market rent is lower than the FMR of $1850, which means Section 8 tenants would likely offer better rental income compared to the local market. However, this also suggests limited demand from non-subsidized tenants.
- Are 3.8% of the population renters and the days on market (DOM) sufficient to ensure demand?
- If yes: With 3.8% of the population being renters and considering the DOM is not provided, we can infer that there is a stable demand for rental properties. This percentage, while low, indicates a steady flow of potential tenants.
- If no: The 3.8% rental rate combined with an unspecified DOM suggests insufficient demand. Landlords should consider other areas with higher rental rates and shorter DOM to ensure a steady stream of tenants.
The decision to invest in ZIP 19951 for Section 8 properties hinges on these factors. If the FMR covers the debt service and the market rent is either above or at the FMR, the area is financially sound for such investments. Additionally, the presence of a stable tenant pool, despite the low rental rate, supports the viability of the investment. However, without specific DOM data, the final assessment on demand remains inconclusive.
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.