Location: Highland County, OH | Metro: Brown County, OH 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 | $720 |
| 1 Bedroom | $880 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,000 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,230 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,540 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $1,786 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $2,000 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $2,160 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $2,268 |
Zillow median home prices vs Section 8 FMR rates (Data: 2026-08-31)
| Bedrooms | Monthly FMR | Median Price | 1% Rule | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $1,000 | $157,261 | 0.64% | D |
| 3BR | $1,230 | $238,359 | 0.52% | F |
| 4BR | $1,540 | $280,234 | 0.55% | F |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
The ZIP code 45142 in Ohio presents a challenging landscape for renters looking to find affordable housing. The median income for a household in this area stands at $66,844, which translates to a monthly income of approximately $5,570 when divided by 12. To assess affordability, we consider that generally, households should spend no more than 30% of their income on housing costs. This means a household in ZIP 45142 should ideally allocate around $1,671 per month for housing expenses.
However, the market rate for rent, according to Census ACS data, is $789 per month. While this figure is below the 30% threshold, it's important to note that this represents only the average rent and doesn't account for other living expenses such as utilities, food, transportation, and healthcare. In reality, many households would struggle to cover these additional costs while paying $789 in rent, indicating a potential strain on their finances.
The situation becomes more complex when considering the Federal Market Rent (FMR) standard set for voucher payments in ZIP 45142, which is $930 for fiscal year 2024. This amount exceeds the current market rate, suggesting that landlords who accept vouchers could potentially receive higher rent payments than those who rely solely on market-rate tenants. However, the decision to accept vouchers also comes with administrative complexities and limitations on rent increases.
With 18.2% of the 4,187 population being renters, there is a notable but not overwhelming competition among landlords. This relatively low percentage of renters might indicate that a significant portion of the population owns their homes, reducing the pool of potential tenants. As a result, landlords need to carefully consider their target market and the trade-offs between accepting vouchers and renting to market-rate tenants.
For landlords and small-portfolio investors, the key takeaway is that while the market rate is currently lower than the voucher payment standard, the overall financial health of tenants and the administrative burden of managing voucher properties must be weighed against the benefits. Accepting vouchers can provide a steady stream of rental income but requires navigating government regulations and possibly dealing with longer vacancy periods due to the limited number of voucher holders. On the other hand, focusing on market-rate tenants allows for more flexibility in setting rent and managing properties but may come with increased risk during economic downturns.
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.