Location: Columbia County, FL | Metro: Gainesville, FL 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 | $1,500 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,550 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,840 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $2,260 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $2,420 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $2,807 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $3,144 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $3,396 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $3,566 |
Zillow median home prices vs Section 8 FMR rates (Data: 2026-08-31)
| Bedrooms | Monthly FMR | Median Price | 1% Rule | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $1,840 | $208,984 | 0.88% | C |
| 3BR | $2,260 | $321,031 | 0.7% | D |
| 4BR | $2,420 | $432,028 | 0.56% | F |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
The ZIP code 32643, located in High Springs, FL, has a population of 11,953 residents. Only 11.1% of these residents are renters, indicating that this area is primarily dominated by homeowners rather than renters. This means that the demand for rental properties, especially those accepting Section 8 vouchers, is relatively low compared to areas with higher percentages of renters.
The median household income in this ZIP code is $83,386, which is significantly higher than the Fair Market Rent (FMR) for a one-bedroom apartment, set at $1,180 for FY 2024. A typical market rent of $2,400 would consume approximately 28.7% of the median household income, making it a substantial portion of monthly earnings for most households in the area.
To put this into perspective, the $2,400 rent is nearly double the FMR of $1,180, suggesting that the rental market in High Springs is considerably more expensive than what the federal government deems as fair market rent. This discrepancy highlights the financial burden that renting places at such rates might impose on potential tenants, particularly those relying on Section 8 vouchers.
A landlord in this ZIP code should expect tenants who are either fully independent of government assistance or only partially dependent, given the relatively high median income and the limited number of renters. The typical tenant profile would likely be someone who can afford a significant portion of their rent independently, with some possibly using vouchers to cover part of the cost. However, due to the low percentage of renters and the high market rents, landlords should not anticipate a deep pool of Section 8 voucher holders seeking housing in this area.
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.