Location: Wayne County, GA | Metro: Wayne County, GA
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 | $760 |
| 1 Bedroom | $770 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,000 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,250 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,620 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $1,879 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $2,104 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $2,272 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $2,386 |
Zillow median home prices vs Section 8 FMR rates (Data: 2026-08-31)
| Bedrooms | Monthly FMR | Median Price | 1% Rule | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3BR | $1,250 | $228,283 | 0.55% | F |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
The economics of Section 8 housing in ZIP code 31546 are straightforward. The SAFMR (Standard Area Fair Market Rent) for a two-bedroom apartment is set at $1,020 per month for fiscal year 2026. This figure represents the maximum amount that a Section 8 voucher will cover for rent in this specific ZIP code.
In contrast, the local market rent for a two-bedroom unit, according to Census ACS data, is $818 per month. This indicates that the SAFMR is higher than the average market rent, which can be beneficial for landlords who might otherwise struggle to find tenants willing to pay the higher rates.
A Section 8 voucher payment consists of three parts: the tenant's portion of the rent, the utility allowance, and the Housing Authority's contribution. Typically, the tenant is required to pay 30% of their adjusted income towards rent. For simplicity, let's assume an average adjusted income of $1,500, meaning the tenant would contribute $450 toward rent.
The utility allowance is a fixed amount intended to help cover electricity, gas, water, and other utilities. In ZIP 31546, the utility allowance for a two-bedroom unit is approximately $300 per month. This amount varies based on the actual utility costs in the area but serves as a standard addition to the tenant's contribution.
The Housing Authority then covers the difference between the tenant's contribution plus the utility allowance and the SAFMR. In this case, if we add the tenant's $450 contribution and the $300 utility allowance, we get $750. Subtracting this from the SAFMR of $1,020 leaves a reimbursement gap of $270 per month for landlords.
This means that landlords in ZIP 31546 can expect to receive $270 less than the SAFMR when a tenant uses a Section 8 voucher. However, given that the local market rent is $818, landlords are still receiving slightly more than the average market rate, resulting in a surplus of $48 per month.
To summarize, landlords in ZIP 31546 should anticipate a reimbursement of $1,020 for a two-bedroom unit, but with a typical tenant contribution and utility allowance, they will effectively receive $750. This leaves a gap of $270 against the SAFMR. Yet, compared to the local market rent of $818, landlords are in a surplus position, earning $48 more per month than the average market rate.
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.