Section 8 Fair Market Rent (FMR) for ZIP 25503 - 2027

Location: Mason County, WV | Metro: Mason County, WV

Investment Score for ZIP 25503

N/A

Monthly Rent (2BR)

$940

Median Price (2BR)

$N/A

1% Rule

Annual Yield

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	$710
1 Bedroom	$840
2 Bedrooms	$940
3 Bedrooms	$1,210
4 Bedrooms	$1,380
5 Bedrooms	$1,601
6 Bedrooms	$1,793
7 Bedrooms	$1,936
8 Bedrooms	$2,033

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	$1,210	$193,284	0.63%	D

Demographics & Housing Statistics

U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)

Population

837

Median Household Income

$N/A

Housing Units

266

Renter Percentage

10.9%

Occupancy Rate

100.0%

Renter Occupied

A decision tree for evaluating whether to purchase properties in ZIP code 25503 for Section 8 investment hinges on three primary factors. Let's break down each step.

1. Does the Fair Market Rent (FMR) of $970 cover the debt service on a property valued at $160,699?

Yes: The FMR of $970 is sufficient to cover the monthly mortgage payment on a property of this value, assuming typical financing terms. This makes the area financially viable for Section 8 investments.
No: If the FMR does not cover the debt service, investing in this ZIP code would result in a financial loss. In such a case, consider other areas where the FMR is higher relative to property values.

2. How does the market rent compare to the FMR?

Market Rent Above FMR: If the market rent exceeds the FMR, landlords might be able to command higher rents outside of Section 8. However, this also means that Section 8 vouchers may only cover a portion of the rent, reducing their attractiveness as tenants.
Market Rent Equal to FMR: When market rent matches the FMR, Section 8 vouchers cover the entire rent, making these tenants stable and desirable.
Market Rent Below FMR: If the market rent is lower than the FMR, landlords will likely find that Section 8 tenants pay more than the average market rate, increasing the desirability of the program in this area.

Note: The provided data indicates that the market rent is N/A (Not Available), which suggests there is insufficient data to make an accurate comparison between market rent and FMR. In this scenario, you must rely on the FMR to assess financial viability and consider the demand for rental properties.

3. Is the combination of 10.9% renters and N/A-day Days on Market (DOM) indicative of strong demand?

It Depends: With 10.9% of residents renting, there is a moderate level of rental demand. However, the lack of DOM data complicates the assessment of how quickly properties can be leased. Landlords should consider other local factors, such as job availability and population trends, to gauge the overall rental market health.

In summary, the ZIP code 25503 appears to offer a mixed picture for Section 8 investment. The key to deciding whether to invest lies in understanding the financials and the local rental market dynamics. Given the FMR of $970 and a median home value of $160,699, landlords must ensure that the FMR covers their debt service before proceeding. Without concrete market rent data, the decision leans heavily on the FMR's adequacy for covering expenses. Lastly, while the percentage of renters is modest, the absence of DOM data requires a cautious approach to assessing the demand for rental properties in this area.

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.