Location: Branch County, MI | Metro: Battle Creek, MI 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 | $860 |
| 1 Bedroom | $900 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,060 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,360 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,410 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $1,636 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $1,832 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $1,979 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $2,078 |
Zillow median home prices vs Section 8 FMR rates (Data: 2026-07-31)
| Bedrooms | Monthly FMR | Median Price | 1% Rule | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3BR | $1,360 | $206,956 | 0.66% | D |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
The market analysis for Section 8 investors in ZIP code 49094 reveals a favorable rental environment. The HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) for the area is set at $980 for the fiscal year 2024. This figure is above the market rent of $919 as reported by the Census American Community Survey (ACS), indicating that voucher tenants will generally cashflow at the FMR level without requiring premium units.
To further understand the investment potential, consider the median home value in ZIP 49094, which stands at $172,155. Using this, we can derive the rent-to-price ratio, which comes out to approximately 0.6%. This low ratio suggests that the area is more advantageous for rental investments over home purchases, given the relatively high rents compared to property values.
Note that the median Days on Market (DOM) and the percentage of homes that have had their prices cut are not available for this ZIP code. However, these metrics typically play a role in assessing the buy-versus-rent dynamics. In the absence of these figures, the strong cashflow potential remains a key indicator for investors.
The strongest investor angle in ZIP 49094 is cashflow. With the HUD FMR exceeding the market rent, landlords can expect positive cashflow from voucher tenants, making it an attractive option for those looking to generate steady income from their properties.
Data Sources: FMR data from HUD (2027). Median home prices from Zillow (2026-07-31). 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.