Section 8 Fair Market Rent (FMR) for ZIP 30813 - 2027

Investment Score for ZIP 30813

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	$1,310
1 Bedroom	$1,580
2 Bedrooms	$1,750
3 Bedrooms	$2,200
4 Bedrooms	$2,680
5 Bedrooms	$3,109
6 Bedrooms	$3,482
7 Bedrooms	$3,761
8 Bedrooms	$3,949

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	$1,750	$196,289	0.89%	C
3BR	$2,200	$268,457	0.82%	C
4BR	$2,680	$327,886	0.82%	C
5BR	$3,109	$414,535	0.75%	D

Demographics & Housing Statistics

U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)

### Market Analysis for ZIP Code 30813 (Grovetown, GA) #### Section 8 Voucher Dynamics The Fair Market Rent (FMR) for Grovetown, GA (ZIP 30813) in 2026 is set at $1680 for a two-bedroom unit. This amount represents 23.2% of the median household income of $86,923. The FMRs for other bedroom sizes are as follows: $1250 for a zero-bedroom unit, $1480 for a one-bedroom unit, $2170 for a three-bedroom unit, and $2640 for a four-bedroom unit. When comparing these FMRs to actual rental rates, it is important to note that the price-to-FMR ratio for a two-bedroom unit is 9.7x the Zillow median price of $194,900. This suggests that the actual rental prices are significantly higher than the FMRs. For instance, if the Zillow median price for a two-bedroom home is $194,900, then the implied rental rate would be approximately $2009 per month, which is notably above the FMR of $1680. This means that Section 8 voucher holders face significant constraints in finding affordable housing within their voucher limits. #### Affordability & Renter Profile Grovetown has a population of 52,466, with 27.2% of residents being renters. The occupancy rate stands at 88.8%, indicating a relatively tight market where most available units are occupied. Given the high rent-to-income ratio and the limited supply of units that fall within the FMR range, it is likely that renters in Grovetown are primarily low to middle-income individuals who may struggle to find housing that fits within their budget. The median household income of $86,923 suggests that the area is moderately affluent, but the 27.2% renter population indicates a diverse economic landscape. Many renters might rely on assistance programs like Section 8 to afford living in Grovetown. However, due to the high actual rental prices compared to FMRs, it is challenging for voucher holders to secure housing without facing substantial out-of-pocket costs. #### Investor Angle From an investor perspective, Grovetown presents both opportunities and challenges. The high price-to-FMR ratio of 9.7x implies that properties priced at the FMR level are likely to be underpriced relative to the market value. This could make it difficult for landlords to achieve positive cash flow when renting exclusively to Section 8 voucher holders. To illustrate, consider a two-bedroom property with a Zillow median price of $194,900. If we assume a typical mortgage payment of around 1% of the property value per month, the monthly mortgage payment would be approximately $1624. Adding typical expenses such as property taxes, insurance, and maintenance, the total monthly cost could easily exceed the FMR of $1680. Therefore, landlords would need to charge more than the FMR to cover these costs and generate a profit, which would limit the number of voucher holders able to rent the property. Given the high actual rental prices and the tight market conditions, the investment grade for Grovetown appears to be moderate to low for Section 8-focused investors. While there is demand for rental units, the constraints imposed by the FMR limits make it challenging to achieve positive cash flow solely through Section 8 vouchers. #### Specific Actionable Insights 1. **Target Lower-Income Properties**: Investors should focus on acquiring properties that are already priced below the market average. For example, a one-bedroom unit with an FMR of $1480 might be more feasible for achieving positive cash flow while still catering to Section 8 voucher holders. This strategy can help mitigate the risk of not being able to cover operational costs. 2. **Consider Mixed-Income Strategies**: To ensure financial viability, investors could consider mixed-income strategies where some units are rented to voucher holders and others to market-rate tenants. This approach can balance the lower rental income from Section 8 units with higher income from non-voucher units, thereby improving overall cash flow. 3. **Utilize Government Programs**: Explore additional government programs that provide subsidies or tax incentives for landlords who accept Section 8 vouchers. These programs can help offset the financial burden of operating at FMR levels and improve the investment grade. #### Bottom Line For Section 8-focused investors, the recommendation for ZIP code 30813 (Grovetown, GA) is to **Skip**. The high price-to-FMR ratio and the tight market conditions make it difficult to achieve positive cash flow solely through Section 8 vouchers. While there is a significant renter population and demand for housing, the constraints imposed by the FMR limits outweigh the potential benefits for this type of investment. Investors should look for areas with a more favorable price-to-FMR ratio or consider mixed-income strategies 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.