Location: Hyde County, NC | Metro: Beaufort County, NC
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 | $930 |
| 1 Bedroom | $940 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,180 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,540 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,810 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $2,100 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $2,352 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $2,540 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $2,667 |
Zillow median home prices vs Section 8 FMR rates (Data: 2026-07-31)
| Bedrooms | Monthly FMR | Median Price | 1% Rule | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $1,180 | $219,745 | 0.54% | F |
| 3BR | $1,540 | $278,482 | 0.55% | F |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
The Section 8 market analysis for ZIP code 27810, encompassing Belhaven, NC, and parts of Beaufort and Hyde Counties, reveals a favorable environment for landlords and small-portfolio investors. The Fair Market Rent (FMR) set by HUD for the metro area in fiscal year 2026 is $1,130, which stands above the reported market rent of $1,049 based on Census ACS data. This means that voucher tenants can cashflow at FMR levels, providing a buffer for landlords who might otherwise struggle with the lower market rates.
To further contextualize these figures, the median home value in ZIP 27810 is $235,338. Using this, we can calculate a rent-to-price ratio of approximately 0.48%, indicating that rental income is relatively low compared to property values. However, this ratio also suggests that there could be opportunities for long-term appreciation as property values rise while rents remain stable or increase slightly.
In terms of rent-versus-buy dynamics, the median Days on Market (DOM) is N/A, and the share of properties that undergo a price cut is 0.1%. These figures imply that the housing market is quite stable, with few homes needing to be discounted to sell. This stability supports the notion that owning rental properties in this area can be a secure investment, with minimal risk of having to reduce rental rates to attract tenants.
The strongest investor angle in ZIP 27810 is stability. With a favorable cashflow situation for voucher tenants and a stable housing market, landlords can expect consistent returns without the volatility often seen in more dynamic markets.
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.