Section 8 Fair Market Rent (FMR) for ZIP 30165 - 2027

Investment Score for ZIP 30165

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	$850
1 Bedroom	$990
2 Bedrooms	$1,220
3 Bedrooms	$1,600
4 Bedrooms	$1,600
5 Bedrooms	$1,856
6 Bedrooms	$2,079
7 Bedrooms	$2,245
8 Bedrooms	$2,357

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	$1,220	$164,977	0.74%	D
3BR	$1,600	$246,468	0.65%	D
4BR	$1,600	$338,847	0.47%	F
5BR	$1,856	$164,983	1.12%	B

Demographics & Housing Statistics

U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)

### Market Analysis for ZIP Code 30165 (Rome, GA) #### Section 8 Voucher Dynamics The Fair Market Rent (FMR) figures for ZIP code 30165 in Rome, GA, for 2026 are as follows: - 0BR: $840 - 1BR: $940 - 2BR: $1220 (which is 21.5% of the median household income) - 3BR: $1580 - 4BR: $1660 These figures represent the maximum amount that a Section 8 voucher holder can pay towards rent. However, the actual rents in the area are significantly higher. The Zillow median price for a 2BR unit is $159,378, which translates to a monthly rental cost of approximately $1,328 based on a typical mortgage payment (assuming a 4.5% interest rate over 30 years). This is already above the FMR for a 2BR unit, indicating that voucher holders would struggle to find units within their budget. Given the high actual rents compared to FMR, voucher holders face significant constraints. They must either find units below the FMR or negotiate with landlords who might be willing to accept the voucher despite the disparity between FMR and market rates. #### Affordability & Renter Profile ZIP code 30165 has a population of 43,001, with 40.8% of residents being renters. The occupancy rate stands at 91.0%, suggesting a relatively tight rental market. With a median household income of $68,089, the affordability of housing becomes a critical issue. The FMR for a 2BR unit ($1220) represents 21.5% of the median income, which is within the standard affordability threshold of 30%. However, the actual market rent for a 2BR unit is approximately $1,328, making it slightly less affordable at 31.3% of the median income. This indicates that while some residents might find the housing affordable, others, particularly those relying solely on Section 8 vouchers, will have difficulty finding suitable units. The tight market suggests that there is a high demand for rental properties, but the supply is limited, especially for units priced within the FMR range. #### Investor Angle From an investor’s perspective, the ZIP code 30165 presents both opportunities and challenges. The FMR for a 2BR unit is $1220, while the actual market rent is around $1,328. This means that if an investor acquires a property at the median price of $159,378, they would need to set the rent at $1220 to be eligible for Section 8 tenants. At this rate, the cash flow would be negative, as the mortgage payment alone would be higher than the FMR. However, the price-to-FMR ratio of 10.9x indicates that the market value of properties is much higher than what the FMR suggests. This could mean that investors might find better returns by targeting non-Section 8 tenants who can afford higher rents. For those interested in Section 8-focused investments, the primary challenge lies in finding properties where the mortgage payments align with or are lower than the FMR. #### Specific Actionable Insights 1. **Target Lower-Rent Units**: Investors should focus on acquiring properties that are priced lower than the median, specifically those that can be rented out for $1220 or less. This ensures eligibility for Section 8 tenants and avoids the negative cash flow associated with higher-priced units. 2. **Negotiate with Landlords**: Given the disparity between FMR and market rents, landlords might be willing to accept lower rents if it means securing long-term, stable tenants through the Section 8 program. Investors should consider negotiating with landlords to bring rents closer to the FMR levels. 3. **Consider Alternative Investment Strategies**: If the goal is to maximize returns, investors might want to look into alternative strategies such as fixing up older properties or converting multi-family homes into smaller units to reduce costs and increase affordability. #### Bottom Line Based on the analysis, the recommendation for Section 8-focused investors in ZIP code 30165 is to **Skip** this market. The high price-to-FMR ratio and the tight rental market make it challenging to achieve positive cash flow when renting to Section 8 voucher holders. While there is a significant number of renters, the actual rents far exceed the FMR, leaving little room for profitability unless investors can secure properties at significantly lower prices or negotiate with landlords to reduce rents. In conclusion, the dynamics of the rental market in ZIP code 30165 suggest that it is not an ideal location for investors primarily interested in Section 8 tenants due to the financial constraints and limited availability of affordable units.

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.