Location: West Palm Beach-Boca Raton, FL | Metro: West Palm Beach-Boca Raton, 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 | $1,780 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,870 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $2,190 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $2,850 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $3,280 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $3,805 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $4,262 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $4,603 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $4,833 |
Zillow median home prices vs Section 8 FMR rates (Data: 2026-08-31)
| Bedrooms | Monthly FMR | Median Price | 1% Rule | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1BR | $1,870 | $229,179 | 0.82% | C |
| 2BR | $2,190 | $350,079 | 0.63% | D |
| 3BR | $2,850 | $693,114 | 0.41% | F |
| 4BR | $3,280 | $1,154,019 | 0.28% | F |
| 5BR | $3,805 | $2,707,638 | 0.14% | F |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
The classification of ZIP 33444 (Delray Beach, FL) on the axes of yield and stability reveals a balanced market that leans towards providing steady cash flow rather than high-yield, low-stability opportunities.
On the yield axis, the Fair Market Rent (FMR) for ZIP 33444 is set at $2,210 for fiscal year 2024. This figure is significantly lower than the market rent of $2,947, indicating a potential opportunity for landlords to achieve above-average rental yields by targeting the Section 8 housing market. However, the median home value in the area is $513,508, which suggests that property acquisition costs are high. The disparity between the FMR and the market rent highlights a moderate yield potential, not the extreme high-yield scenario typical of "flip-style" markets.
Moving to the stability axis, Delray Beach has a substantial 48.5% of its population renting their homes, which provides a stable demand for rental properties. Additionally, the average days on market (DOM) is 59 days, indicating a relatively quick turnover rate for vacant rentals. This can be seen as a positive sign for stability, as it suggests that there is a consistent flow of tenants ready to occupy available units. Furthermore, the median household income of $72,925 supports the idea that the area's residents have the financial capacity to maintain stable tenancies, thus reducing the risk of default.
Considering these factors, ZIP 33444 does not fit into the high-yield/low-stability category. Instead, it represents a steady-cashflow zone due to the strong rental demand, reasonable stability metrics, and moderate rental yield when compared to the high property values. Landlords and small-portfolio investors looking for a balance between income generation and tenant reliability should find Delray Beach appealing.
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.