Section 8 Fair Market Rent (FMR) for ZIP 30152 - 2027

Investment Score for ZIP 30152

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	$1,670
1 Bedroom	$1,740
2 Bedrooms	$1,890
3 Bedrooms	$2,250
4 Bedrooms	$2,670
5 Bedrooms	$3,097
6 Bedrooms	$3,469
7 Bedrooms	$3,747
8 Bedrooms	$3,934

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	$1,890	$292,309	0.65%	D
3BR	$2,250	$349,313	0.64%	D
4BR	$2,670	$513,400	0.52%	F
5BR	$3,097	$750,611	0.41%	F

Demographics & Housing Statistics

U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)

### Market Analysis for ZIP Code 30152 (Kennesaw, GA) #### Section 8 Voucher Dynamics In ZIP code 30152, the Fair Market Rent (FMR) for a two-bedroom apartment is set at $2,010 per month. This figure represents 19.1% of the median household income of $126,578, which is quite low compared to national standards. However, the actual rental market in Kennesaw is significantly higher. The Zillow median price for a two-bedroom home is $295,205, which translates to a monthly rent of approximately $1,229 based on a 4% annual rental yield. This calculation is derived from the formula: Monthly Rent = (Median Home Price * 4%) / 12 months. Given that the actual rental market is much higher than the FMR, there is a significant gap between what landlords can charge and what voucher holders can afford. For instance, a landlord charging the Zillow median rent would be receiving only about 12.2 times the FMR, which is an unusually high multiple. This suggests that landlords who accept Section 8 vouchers may face challenges in covering their costs if they are pricing their units according to market rates. #### Affordability & Renter Profile The population of ZIP code 30152 is 44,977, with 21.0% of residents being renters. This indicates a relatively small rental market compared to the overall population, suggesting that the area is primarily owner-occupied. The occupancy rate stands at 96.1%, indicating that the rental market is quite tight, with very few vacant units available. Given the high median household income and the relatively low percentage of renters, it is likely that those renting in this area are either young professionals, recent graduates, or families who have chosen to rent rather than buy due to lifestyle preferences or financial considerations. The high income levels suggest that many residents could afford to purchase homes, but some may prefer the flexibility and lower upfront costs of renting. #### Investor Angle From an investor perspective, the key question is whether the rental market in ZIP code 30152 can support cash flow-positive investments at the FMR level. Given the high Zillow median price of $295,205 and the corresponding rental yield of around 4%, the actual market rent for a two-bedroom unit would be approximately $1,229 per month. However, the FMR of $2,010 for a two-bedroom unit is far below the market rate. If an investor were to purchase a property at the Zillow median price and rent it out at the FMR, the monthly rent would cover only a portion of the mortgage payment, let alone other expenses such as maintenance, insurance, and property taxes. Therefore, the investment grade for properties in this ZIP code would be considered poor for Section 8-focused investors. #### Specific Actionable Insights 1. **Rent Gap Analysis**: Investors should be aware of the substantial gap between the FMR and actual market rents. A two-bedroom unit priced at the FMR ($2,010) is only 68% of the estimated market rent ($1,229). This means that landlords accepting Section 8 vouchers would need to find ways to offset the difference, possibly through government subsidies or by targeting a niche market that values the location over the cost. 2. **Occupancy Rates**: With an occupancy rate of 96.1%, the rental market is tight. This could mean that landlords who are willing to accept Section 8 vouchers might still be able to fill their units quickly, but they would need to ensure that their units meet the quality standards required for voucher acceptance. 3. **Income Considerations**: Given the median household income of $126,578, most residents could afford to purchase homes. This implies that the rental market is likely to remain competitive and that landlords may struggle to attract tenants who are eligible for Section 8 vouchers unless they offer additional incentives or amenities. #### Bottom Line Based on the data provided, the recommendation for Section 8-focused investors is to **skip** this ZIP code. The high median home price and the resulting high market rents make it difficult for landlords to achieve positive cash flow when renting at the FMR. Additionally, the tight rental market and high median income suggest that the demand for affordable housing is limited, making it challenging to find tenants who are both eligible for and interested in Section 8 vouchers. To summarize, the high market rents, low percentage of renters, and tight occupancy rates create a challenging environment for Section 8-focused investors. The gap between the FMR and actual market rents is too wide to support financially viable investments without significant additional subsidies or a unique market strategy.

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.