Section 8 Fair Market Rent (FMR) for ZIP 30045 - 2027

Investment Score for ZIP 30045

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	$2,280
1 Bedroom	$2,370
2 Bedrooms	$2,580
3 Bedrooms	$3,070
4 Bedrooms	$3,650
5 Bedrooms	$4,234
6 Bedrooms	$4,742
7 Bedrooms	$5,121
8 Bedrooms	$5,377

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	$2,580	$262,115	0.98%	C
3BR	$3,070	$348,004	0.88%	C
4BR	$3,650	$394,200	0.93%	C
5BR	$4,234	$483,964	0.87%	C

Demographics & Housing Statistics

U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)

### Market Analysis for ZIP Code 30045 (Lawrenceville, GA) #### Section 8 Voucher Dynamics The Fair Market Rent (FMR) for ZIP code 30045, as determined by HUD for 2026, is set at $2640 for a two-bedroom unit. This figure represents 30.4% of the median household income in Lawrenceville, which stands at $104,350. The FMR is designed to ensure that families receiving Section 8 vouchers can afford housing without spending more than 30% of their income on rent. However, the actual rental market in Lawrenceville is significantly higher than the FMR. For instance, the Zillow median price for a two-bedroom home is $265,419, which translates into a monthly mortgage payment of approximately $1,327 based on a 4.5% interest rate over a 30-year term. When considering property taxes, insurance, and maintenance costs, landlords would need to charge around $1,500-$1,800 per month just to break even. Therefore, the FMR of $2640 is likely insufficient to cover these expenses, creating a constraint for voucher holders who might struggle to find landlords willing to accept their vouchers. #### Affordability & Renter Profile Lawrenceville has a relatively low renter percentage of 16.8%, indicating that the majority of residents own their homes. This suggests that the rental market is tight, with fewer units available compared to areas with higher renter percentages. Given the high median household income of $104,350, most renters in this area are likely to be middle-class individuals or young professionals who prefer renting due to lifestyle choices or financial flexibility. The occupancy rate of 97.0% further supports the notion that the rental market is robust and competitive, making it difficult for those with limited incomes, such as Section 8 voucher holders, to secure housing. #### Investor Angle From an investor perspective, the ZIP code 30045 presents both opportunities and challenges. The FMR for a two-bedroom unit is $2640, but the actual market rent is much higher, given the Zillow median price and the implied monthly mortgage payment. To determine if this ZIP code is cash-flow positive at the FMR, we must consider the typical rental rates and the cost of ownership. If a landlord charges $2640 per month, they would still be operating at a loss when factoring in mortgage payments, property taxes, insurance, and maintenance. Property taxes in Gwinnett County average around 1.1%, so a $265,419 property would incur about $2,920 in annual taxes, or roughly $243 per month. Insurance costs can vary widely but typically range from $100 to $200 per month. Maintenance and other miscellaneous costs might add another $100-$200 per month. Thus, the total cost of ownership could easily exceed $2,600 per month, making it challenging to achieve positive cash flow at the FMR. In terms of investment grade, the high median household income and strong occupancy rate suggest that the overall real estate market in Lawrenceville is stable and attractive. However, the tight rental market and the gap between FMR and actual rents indicate that focusing solely on Section 8 tenants might not be the best strategy for maximizing returns. Investors should consider diversifying their tenant base to include market-rate renters and possibly exploring other subsidy programs that offer higher rent limits. #### Specific Actionable Insights 1. **Diversify Tenant Base**: Given the high cost of ownership and the gap between FMR and actual rents, landlords should consider accepting a mix of market-rate and Section 8 tenants. This approach can help balance the financial impact of lower rents from Section 8 vouchers while still benefiting from the overall stability and demand in the Lawrenceville market. 2. **Explore Alternative Subsidies**: Investors might want to look into other federal or state subsidy programs that have higher rent limits. For example, the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program allows for higher rent levels and could provide a better financial return while still serving low-income households. 3. **Focus on Smaller Units**: Since the FMR for smaller units (0BR and 1BR) is lower ($2300 and $2410 respectively), landlords might consider investing in properties that offer these smaller units. These units are more likely to be rented out at the FMR without significant financial strain, providing a more stable cash flow. #### Bottom Line For Section 8-focused investors, the ZIP code 30045 (Lawrenceville, GA) presents a challenging environment due to the significant gap between FMR and actual market rents. While the overall real estate market is strong and stable, the tight rental market and high cost of ownership make it difficult to achieve positive cash flow solely through Section 8 vouchers. Therefore, the recommendation is to **Skip** this ZIP code for a pure Section 8 investment strategy. Instead, investors should consider diversifying their tenant base or exploring alternative subsidy programs that offer higher rent limits to ensure financial viability.

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.