Location: Peach County, GA | Metro: Macon-Bibb County, GA HUD Metro FMR Area
Based on 1% Rule: A+ (≥1.5%) | A (≥1.2%) | B (≥1.0%) | C (≥0.8%) | D (≥0.6%) | F (<0.6%)
| Unit Size | Monthly FMR |
|---|---|
| Studio | $1,050 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,250 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,380 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,770 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,940 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $2,250 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $2,520 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $2,722 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $2,858 |
Zillow median home prices vs Section 8 FMR rates (Data: 2026-07-31)
| Bedrooms | Monthly FMR | Median Price | 1% Rule | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $1,380 | $178,223 | 0.77% | D |
| 3BR | $1,770 | $252,175 | 0.7% | D |
| 4BR | $1,940 | $315,343 | 0.62% | D |
| 5BR | $2,250 | $348,496 | 0.65% | D |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
The rent math in ZIP 31008, located in Byron, Georgia, within the HUD Metro FMR Area for Peach County, does not favor landlords. The Fair Market Rent (FMR) set at $1,250 for the fiscal year 2024 is higher than the market rent of $1,135 according to the latest Census ACS data. This discrepancy suggests that landlords might struggle to attract tenants willing to pay the FMR rate.
Acquisition costs in this area are relatively low, with a median home value of $263,233. The days on market (DOM) average at 32 days indicates a moderately quick sale time, but the 0.2% price-cut share shows that sellers rarely need to lower their asking prices, suggesting stability rather than affordability in the residential real estate market.
Tenant demand is limited in ZIP 31008. With a total population of 22,602, only 15.3% are renters, which translates to approximately 3,459 potential rental tenants. This small percentage of the population looking for rentals means that competition among landlords could be high, and finding and retaining tenants might prove challenging.
In conclusion, while the acquisition cost of properties in ZIP 31008 is reasonable, the mismatch between the FMR and the actual market rent, along with the limited tenant pool, makes this area less favorable for landlords and small-portfolio investors. The higher FMR compared to the market rent suggests that landlords may not fully capitalize on the HUD guidelines, and the low renter share implies a saturated rental market with little room for growth.
Data Sources: FMR data from HUD (2027). Median home prices from Zillow (2026-07-31). 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.