Location: Canton-Massillon, OH | Metro: Canton-Massillon, OH MSA
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 | $700 |
| 1 Bedroom | $790 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,000 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,270 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,360 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $1,578 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $1,767 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $1,908 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $2,003 |
Zillow median home prices vs Section 8 FMR rates (Data: 2026-08-31)
| Bedrooms | Monthly FMR | Median Price | 1% Rule | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $1,000 | $150,742 | 0.66% | D |
| 3BR | $1,270 | $206,541 | 0.61% | D |
| 4BR | $1,360 | $240,184 | 0.57% | F |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
The economics of Section 8 in ZIP 44688, Waynesburg, OH, within Stark County, are straightforward. The SAFMR (Small Area Fair Market Rent) for a two-bedroom apartment is set at $860 per month for the fiscal year 2024. This SAFMR is specifically tailored for this ZIP code, reflecting the unique housing market conditions here.
In contrast, the local market rent for a similar unit averages around $920 per month according to the latest Census ACS data. This indicates that landlords might face a slight shortfall if they rely solely on the SAFMR without considering additional factors such as tenant contributions and utility allowances.
A Section 8 voucher works by covering the difference between the tenant's portion of the rent and the total rent amount. The tenant is expected to contribute 30% of their income towards rent. If we assume an average household income of $1,500 per month, the tenant would pay approximately $450 towards the rent. This leaves a gap of $410 that the voucher program aims to cover.
However, the voucher payment does not directly fill this gap. Instead, it reimburses the landlord up to the SAFMR level, which is $860 in this case. Therefore, the landlord receives the tenant's $450 contribution plus the voucher payment of $860 minus the tenant's share, totaling $860. The utility allowance, typically around $200-$250 per month, is also paid directly to the landlord by the housing authority, bringing the total reimbursement to around $1,060-$1,110 per month.
To summarize, landlords in ZIP 44688 will receive a total of about $1,060-$1,110 per month for a two-bedroom apartment, which is above the SAFMR but below the local market rent of $920. This results in a typical reimbursement gap of $10-$60 per month, meaning landlords may earn slightly less than the local market rent when renting to tenants with Section 8 vouchers.
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.