Section 8 Fair Market Rent (FMR) for ZIP 30115 - 2027

Investment Score for ZIP 30115

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	$1,660
1 Bedroom	$1,730
2 Bedrooms	$1,880
3 Bedrooms	$2,240
4 Bedrooms	$2,660
5 Bedrooms	$3,086
6 Bedrooms	$3,456
7 Bedrooms	$3,732
8 Bedrooms	$3,919

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	$1,880	$453,490	0.41%	F
3BR	$2,240	$433,026	0.52%	F
4BR	$2,660	$556,253	0.48%	F
5BR	$3,086	$722,983	0.43%	F

Demographics & Housing Statistics

U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)

### Market Analysis for ZIP Code 30115 (Canton, GA) #### Section 8 Voucher Dynamics The Fair Market Rent (FMR) for ZIP code 30115 in Canton, Georgia, is set by HUD for 2026 as follows: - 0BR: $1700 - 1BR: $1780 - 2BR: $1950 - 3BR: $2340 - 4BR: $2790 These figures represent the maximum amount that a Section 8 voucher holder can pay for rent based on the number of bedrooms required. However, the actual rental market in Canton, GA, may differ significantly from these FMRs. The Zillow median price for a 2BR home in this area is $454,636, which translates to a price-to-FMR ratio of 19.4x. This suggests that the actual rents could be much higher than the FMRs, creating significant constraints for voucher holders. For instance, a 2BR unit priced at $1950 per month would be at the FMR limit, while the median home price implies that many units could be priced well above this level. #### Affordability & Renter Profile Canton, GA, has a median household income of $113,089, indicating a relatively affluent community. Given that only 16.9% of the population are renters, it is clear that the rental market is not the primary housing option for most residents. This low percentage of renters suggests that the rental market is likely to be tight, with fewer units available compared to owner-occupied homes. The occupancy rate of 95.6% further supports this notion, as it indicates that nearly all available units are occupied, leaving little room for new tenants. Given the high median household income, the typical renter in this area is likely to be financially stable and able to afford higher rents. However, the 2BR FMR represents only 20.7% of the median income, meaning that even if a renter were to use their entire income for housing, they would still fall short of the median home price. This disparity highlights the challenge faced by lower-income households in finding affordable housing, especially those relying on Section 8 vouchers. #### Investor Angle From an investor's perspective, the key question is whether properties in ZIP code 30115 can generate positive cash flow when rented at the FMR rates. To determine this, we need to consider the cost of acquisition and maintenance. With a Zillow median price of $454,636 for a 2BR home, the potential rental income at the FMR of $1950 per month would need to cover mortgage payments, property taxes, insurance, and other expenses. Assuming a 20% down payment and a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage at 5%, the monthly mortgage payment on a $454,636 home would be approximately $2,175. Adding in estimated property taxes ($1,500 annually), homeowner's insurance ($1,200 annually), and maintenance costs ($150 monthly), the total monthly expense would be around $2,550. This exceeds the FMR rental income of $1950, indicating that properties rented at FMR levels would likely result in negative cash flow. However, the tight rental market and high median income suggest that there could be opportunities for investors to charge slightly above FMR rates, particularly for higher-end units. This would require careful targeting of properties that can command premium rents without being too far out of reach for voucher holders. #### Specific Actionable Insights 1. **Target Higher-End Units**: Given the high median income and tight rental market, focus on acquiring and renovating higher-end units that can attract tenants willing to pay slightly above FMR rates. For example, a 3BR unit at $2,340 might be feasible if it is in excellent condition and located in a desirable part of Canton. 2. **Consider Short-Term Rentals**: The high price-to-FMR ratio indicates that traditional long-term rentals may not be profitable at FMR levels. Investors might explore short-term rental options through platforms like Airbnb, which could potentially yield higher returns due to the transient nature of demand and the ability to charge premium rates during peak seasons. 3. **Develop Relationships with Local Agencies**: Building relationships with local housing authorities and social service agencies can help landlords understand the needs and limitations of Section 8 voucher holders. This can lead to better tenant placement and reduce vacancy rates, ensuring steady income. #### Bottom Line For investors focusing on Section 8 vouchers in ZIP code 30115, the recommendation is to **skip** this market unless they can find ways to charge above FMR rates or target specific segments of the rental market that have higher demand. The high median income and tight rental market make it challenging to achieve positive cash flow at the FMR levels, and the limited number of renters suggests a competitive environment where premium pricing is common. Therefore, unless investors can identify unique opportunities or leverage alternative strategies, this ZIP code is not recommended for Section 8-focused investments.

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.