Location: Manhattan, KS | Metro: Manhattan, KS 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 | $820 |
| 1 Bedroom | $880 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,050 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,450 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,760 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $2,042 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $2,287 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $2,470 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $2,594 |
Zillow median home prices vs Section 8 FMR rates (Data: 2026-08-31)
| Bedrooms | Monthly FMR | Median Price | 1% Rule | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $1,050 | $259,738 | 0.4% | F |
| 3BR | $1,450 | $325,163 | 0.45% | F |
| 4BR | $1,760 | $397,996 | 0.44% | F |
| 5BR | $2,042 | $541,388 | 0.38% | F |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
The economics of Section 8 in ZIP code 66535, located in Saint George, KS, within Pottawatomie County, are straightforward. The Specific Area Fair Market Rent (SAFMR) for a two-bedroom apartment in this ZIP code is set at $940 per month for the fiscal year 2024. This SAFMR figure is specifically tailored to reflect the rental costs in this particular ZIP code, ensuring that it accurately represents the local housing market conditions.
However, the local market rent, as reported by the Census American Community Survey (ACS), is slightly lower at $892 per month for a two-bedroom unit. This discrepancy between the SAFMR and the actual market rent can be attributed to various factors such as the timing of data collection and differences in the methodology used to calculate these figures.
A landlord participating in the Section 8 program should understand that the total reimbursement received from the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program is not simply the SAFMR amount. Instead, it includes the tenant's portion of the rent and any utility allowances. Typically, the tenant is responsible for paying 30% of their adjusted income towards rent. If we assume an average adjusted income of $1,500 per month, the tenant would contribute approximately $450 towards rent.
The remaining amount is covered by the HCV program. For a two-bedroom apartment with an SAFMR of $940, the landlord would receive the difference between the SAFMR and the tenant's contribution, which is $490. Additionally, utility allowances can vary but are generally around $100-$150 per month. Thus, the total reimbursement to the landlord could range from $590 to $640 per month, depending on the specific utility allowance provided.
This means that the typical reimbursement gap for a two-bedroom apartment in ZIP 66535 would be between $252 and $350 per month. In other words, landlords would need to cover this gap themselves if they wish to participate in the Section 8 program while maintaining a competitive rental price in the local market. Conversely, if the local market rent is below the SAFMR, landlords could see a surplus, where the total reimbursement exceeds the local market rent, leading to higher profits.
In summary, landlords in ZIP 66535 who accept Section 8 vouchers will receive a reimbursement that is based on the SAFMR and the tenant's income, plus any applicable utility allowances. Given the SAFMR of $940 and a typical local market rent of $892, there is a potential surplus of up to $48 per month for landlords who choose to rent at the market rate.
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.