Location: Macon County, MO | Metro: Chariton County, MO
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 | $710 |
| 1 Bedroom | $740 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $960 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,180 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,300 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $1,508 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $1,689 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $1,824 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $1,915 |
Zillow median home prices vs Section 8 FMR rates (Data: 2026-07-31)
| Bedrooms | Monthly FMR | Median Price | 1% Rule | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $960 | $81,654 | 1.18% | B |
| 3BR | $1,180 | $149,004 | 0.79% | D |
| 4BR | $1,300 | $209,952 | 0.62% | D |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
ZIP 64658, located in Marceline, MO, within the Macon County, MO metro area, serves as a cash-flow anchor in a Section 8 portfolio strategy. The Federal Market Rent (FMR) for the metro area in fiscal year 2026 is set at $890, which stands notably higher than the current market rent of $633. This discrepancy creates a positive spread that benefits landlords participating in the Section 8 program.
The median home value in ZIP 64658 is $134,428, indicating a relatively affordable housing market. Landlords can leverage this to their advantage by securing properties at lower purchase prices while still receiving higher rental payments through the Section 8 voucher program. This ensures steady, reliable cash flow from tenants whose rent is subsidized by the government, thus covering the mortgage and other expenses associated with property ownership.
While appreciation plays and diversifiers are also important components of a real estate investment strategy, ZIP 64658 excels as a cash-flow anchor due to its favorable rent-to-market ratio. The renter share of 20.8% and median income of $75,848 provide additional context but do not significantly impact the decision to focus on cash flow in this particular ZIP code. Given the specific figures provided, landlords and small-portfolio investors should prioritize this ZIP for its ability to generate consistent cash flow.
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.