Section 8 Fair Market Rent (FMR) for ZIP 26541 - 2027

Location: Morgantown, WV | Metro: Morgantown, WV MSA

Investment Score for ZIP 26541

Monthly Rent (2BR)

$1,170

Median Price (2BR)

$141,210

1% Rule

0.83%

Annual Yield

9.94%

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	$900
1 Bedroom	$920
2 Bedrooms	$1,170
3 Bedrooms	$1,440
4 Bedrooms	$1,740
5 Bedrooms	$2,018
6 Bedrooms	$2,260
7 Bedrooms	$2,441
8 Bedrooms	$2,563

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
2BR	$1,170	$141,210	0.83%	C
3BR	$1,440	$243,719	0.59%	F
4BR	$1,740	$359,457	0.48%	F

Demographics & Housing Statistics

U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)

Population

3,254

Median Household Income

$73,444

Housing Units

1,559

Renter Percentage

9.8%

Occupancy Rate

93.9%

Renter Occupied

143

Cassville, WV, located in ZIP code 26541, is a small community that offers unique opportunities for real estate investment, particularly for those interested in Section 8 properties. The area's housing market is influenced by several factors including the Fair Market Rent (FMR), market rent, median home values, renter share, and median income levels.

The Fair Market Rent (FMR) for ZIP 26541 in fiscal year 2024 is set at $890, which represents the maximum amount landlords can charge for a Section 8 voucher.
The market rent, as reported by the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), stands at $1,052, indicating a potential gap between what landlords can charge through traditional means versus Section 8 vouchers.
The median home value in Cassville, WV, is $217,185, reflecting the typical cost of homeownership in the area.
Renters make up 9.8% of the population, suggesting a smaller but stable rental market.
The data on days on market (DOM) is currently unavailable, which could be due to limited transaction volume or recent reporting issues.
The median household income in the area is $73,444, providing insight into the financial capacity of residents.

Analyzing these points, it's evident that Cassville, WV, presents a niche market for Section 8 investments. With a lower FMR compared to the market rent, landlords might find themselves balancing between voucher limits and market rates. The median home value suggests that while homeownership is affordable, the relatively low renter share indicates a need for targeted marketing to attract tenants. Despite the unavailability of DOM data, the median income level supports the notion that there is sufficient economic stability among residents to sustain rental payments. For small-portfolio investors, this area could offer a steady, if modest, return on investment, especially when leveraging Section 8 programs to fill units in a competitive market environment.

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.