Location: Cincinnati, OH | Metro: Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN 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 | $1,020 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,100 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,400 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,840 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $2,080 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $2,413 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $2,703 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $2,919 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $3,065 |
Zillow median home prices vs Section 8 FMR rates (Data: 2026-08-31)
| Bedrooms | Monthly FMR | Median Price | 1% Rule | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $1,400 | $191,749 | 0.73% | D |
| 3BR | $1,840 | $318,100 | 0.58% | F |
| 4BR | $2,080 | $414,437 | 0.5% | F |
| 5BR | $2,413 | $507,568 | 0.48% | F |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
A landlord considering ZIP 45247 (Dent, OH) for Section 8 investments must evaluate several key factors to make an informed decision. The first step is to determine if the Fair Market Rent (FMR) of $1,220 for the fiscal year 2024 can cover the debt service on a property valued at $323,892. This requires calculating the expected monthly mortgage payment and other recurring costs. If these expenses are less than $1,220, then the answer is yes; the FMR clears the debt service.
If the FMR does not clear the debt service, the next question is whether the market rent of $1,107 (as per Census ACS data) is above, at, or below the FMR. If market rent is above the FMR, the landlord has room to negotiate higher rents with non-Section 8 tenants, which could offset lower rental income from Section 8 units. If market rent is equal to or below the FMR, the landlord will need to rely solely on the FMR for rental income, which might not be sufficient if the initial calculation showed that the FMR did not clear the debt service.
The third factor to consider is the demand for rentals in Dent, OH. With 20.8% of residents being renters and a days-on-market (DOM) figure of 20 days, there is moderate demand. However, the viability of investing in this area depends on the balance between supply and demand. If the number of available rental units is low relative to the number of renters, then the answer is yes; there is enough demand. Conversely, if the number of rental units exceeds the number of potential tenants, the answer shifts to no; there is insufficient demand.
To summarize:
The final decision should integrate all these factors. High demand and a market rent above the FMR can compensate for a slightly lower FMR, whereas low demand and a market rent below the FMR will likely result in financial losses.
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.