Location: Parkersburg-Vienna, WV | Metro: Parkersburg-Vienna, WV 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 | $890 |
| 1 Bedroom | $890 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,090 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,360 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,430 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $1,659 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $1,858 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $2,007 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $2,107 |
Zillow median home prices vs Section 8 FMR rates (Data: 2026-07-31)
| Bedrooms | Monthly FMR | Median Price | 1% Rule | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $1,090 | $166,498 | 0.65% | D |
| 3BR | $1,360 | $225,361 | 0.6% | D |
| 4BR | $1,430 | $290,923 | 0.49% | F |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
ZIP 26181, located in Washington, WV, within the Parkersburg-Vienna, WV MSA metro area, serves as an ideal cash-flow anchor for a Section 8 portfolio strategy. The Federal Market Rent (FMR) for ZIP 26181 in fiscal year 2024 is set at $1050, which is significantly higher than the market rent of $890. This $160 spread per unit ensures that properties in this ZIP code will generate a consistent and reliable cash flow, even when compared to the median home value of $221,274.
The strong cash flow potential is further supported by the fact that the median income in ZIP 26181 is $73,977. This indicates that residents have the financial stability to maintain their rental payments, reducing the risk of default or late payments. Additionally, with a renter share of 10.9%, there is a moderate demand for rental properties, suggesting that the market is neither oversaturated nor underdeveloped.
While ZIP 26181 does not present significant opportunities for appreciation, given the lack of data on price-cut shares and days on market (DOM), it remains a solid choice for generating steady income. The focus should be on leveraging the guaranteed rental income through the Section 8 program, which locks in a stable revenue stream based on the government-set FMR.
In conclusion, ZIP 26181 is best positioned as a cash-flow anchor within a Section 8 portfolio strategy due to its favorable FMR-to-market rent ratio and the financial stability of its residents. This makes it a dependable component of any investment portfolio seeking consistent returns.
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.