Section 8 Fair Market Rent (FMR) for ZIP 70820 - 2027

Location: Baton Rouge, LA | Metro: Baton Rouge, LA HUD Metro FMR Area

FY 2027 Fair Market Rent Rates

Unit Size	Monthly FMR
Studio	$940
1 Bedroom	$960
2 Bedrooms	$1,090
3 Bedrooms	$1,380
4 Bedrooms	$1,750
5 Bedrooms	$2,030
6 Bedrooms	$2,274
7 Bedrooms	$2,456
8 Bedrooms	$2,579

Demographics & Housing Statistics

U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)

Population

23,377

Median Household Income

$47,429

Housing Units

12,517

Renter Percentage

66.0%

Occupancy Rate

78.6%

Renter Occupied

6,493

Housing Authorities Serving ZIP 70820

Housing Authority of East Baton Rouge (Baton Rouge, LA) - 4,503 Section 8 vouchers
Louisiana Housing Authority (Baton Rouge, LA) - 1,784 Section 8 vouchers

To decide whether to invest in ZIP 70820 (Baton Rouge, LA) for Section 8 properties, follow this decision tree:

If your question is: Does FMR $1170 (zip FY 2024) cover the debt service on a $236,835 property?
- No. The Fair Market Rent (FMR) of $1,170 is insufficient to cover typical debt service costs on a property valued at $236,835. Debt service often includes mortgage payments, insurance, and property taxes, which would likely exceed this amount.
If your question is: Is market rent $2,130 (ZORI) above, at, or below FMR?
- Above. The market rent, measured by Zillow's Rent Index (ZORI), is $2,130, significantly higher than the FMR of $1,170. This indicates that non-Section 8 tenants can pay more than the government subsidy rate.
If your question is: Are 66.0% renters + 32-day DOM enough demand?
- It Depends. With 66.0% of the population being renters and an average Days on Market (DOM) of 32 days, there is moderate demand for rental properties. However, the demand for specifically Section 8 properties might be lower due to the strict requirements and potential stigma. The high market rent suggests that there is strong demand for regular rentals, but this does not directly translate into demand for Section 8 units.

The analysis of ZIP 70820 shows that while the area has a decent rental market with strong demand for non-Section 8 units, the financial viability of Section 8 properties is questionable. The FMR does not sufficiently cover the debt service on a $236,835 property, indicating that such investments may not be profitable without additional income sources or subsidies. Landlords looking to enter the Section 8 market in this area should carefully consider these factors before making an investment decision.

Data Sources: FMR data from HUD (2027). 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.