Section 8 Fair Market Rent (FMR) for ZIP 30646 - 2027

Location: Jackson County, GA | Metro: Athens-Clarke County, GA MSA

Investment Score for ZIP 30646

N/A

Monthly Rent (2BR)

$1,200

Median Price (2BR)

$N/A

1% Rule

Annual Yield

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	$1,050
1 Bedroom	$1,070
2 Bedrooms	$1,200
3 Bedrooms	$1,570
4 Bedrooms	$1,750
5 Bedrooms	$2,030
6 Bedrooms	$2,274
7 Bedrooms	$2,456
8 Bedrooms	$2,579

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
3BR	$1,570	$315,155	0.5%	F
4BR	$1,750	$406,011	0.43%	F

Demographics & Housing Statistics

U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)

Population

8,460

Median Household Income

$67,308

Housing Units

3,574

Renter Percentage

25.4%

Occupancy Rate

94.2%

Renter Occupied

854

The economics of Section 8 housing in ZIP code 30646 are straightforward. For a two-bedroom apartment, the SAFMR (Small Area Fair Market Rent) for FY 2024 is set at $1060. This figure represents the maximum amount that the housing authority will pay landlords for renting out a unit under the Section 8 program. It's important to note that this SAFMR is specific to ZIP 30646 and reflects the unique rental market conditions in this area.

Local market rents for a two-bedroom unit in ZIP 30646 average $1,047 according to the latest Census ACS data. While this is slightly below the SAFMR, it's crucial to understand that the actual reimbursement to landlords from Section 8 vouchers depends on several factors beyond just the SAFMR.

A landlord can expect the following breakdown when a tenant uses a Section 8 voucher:

The housing authority will cover the difference between the tenant’s portion and the SAFMR, up to $1060.
Tenants typically contribute 30% of their adjusted income towards rent. If the tenant’s adjusted income is $2,000 per month, they would pay $600 towards rent.
The remaining amount is covered by the voucher, which in this case would be $460 ($1060 - $600).
Utility allowances vary but are usually around $150-$200 per month. These allowances are added to the voucher payment, so if we assume an allowance of $180, the total reimbursement to the landlord would be $640 ($460 + $180).

This means that landlords participating in Section 8 for a two-bedroom apartment in ZIP 30646 will receive a total of $640 from the voucher plus the tenant’s contribution of $600, equaling $1,240. Given the local market rent of $1,047, landlords would see a surplus of $193 per month over the average market rate.

In summary, landlords in ZIP 30646 can anticipate a positive financial outcome when renting to tenants with Section 8 vouchers. The reimbursement mechanism ensures that landlords are paid above the average market rate, providing a stable and reliable income stream. The surplus of $193 per month for a two-bedroom apartment makes Section 8 participation financially beneficial in this specific ZIP code.

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.