Location: Beaufort County, SC | Metro: Beaufort County, SC HUD Metro FMR Area
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 | $1,620 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,690 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,840 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $2,190 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $2,640 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $3,062 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $3,429 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $3,703 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $3,888 |
Zillow median home prices vs Section 8 FMR rates (Data: 2026-08-31)
| Bedrooms | Monthly FMR | Median Price | 1% Rule | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1BR | $1,690 | $277,846 | 0.61% | D |
| 2BR | $1,840 | $290,493 | 0.63% | D |
| 3BR | $2,190 | $347,156 | 0.63% | D |
| 4BR | $2,640 | $415,054 | 0.64% | D |
| 5BR | $3,062 | $454,836 | 0.67% | D |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
Investing in Section 8 properties in ZIP code 29906 in Beaufort, SC, comes with several notable risks. Tenant turnover is a significant concern, as the market rent of $1,848 stands notably higher than the Fair Market Rent (FMR) of $1490 for fiscal year 2024. This discrepancy can lead to frequent changes in occupancy, increasing management costs and reducing the stability of rental income.
Vacancy exposure is another issue. With an average Days on Market (DOM) of 31 days, there's a substantial period during which the property might remain unoccupied. This can result in lost rental income and increased expenses related to marketing and maintenance.
The deferred-maintenance exposure is also considerable. Given the typical home value of $361,549 and a median household income of $68,174, landlords must be prepared to handle potential wear and tear without relying on high-income tenants to cover maintenance costs. This financial burden can be particularly challenging when dealing with lower-income households that Section 8 typically serves.
However, these risks are tempered by the high renter share of 49.2%. A large portion of the population being renters usually translates into a higher demand for housing vouchers, which can stabilize the rental income and provide a steady stream of tenants.
In conclusion, the investment risk for a first-time Section 8 landlord in ZIP 29906 is moderate.
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.