Location: White County, AR | Metro: Independence County, AR
| Unit Size | Monthly FMR |
|---|---|
| Studio | $650 |
| 1 Bedroom | $720 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $910 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,180 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,190 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $1,380 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $1,546 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $1,670 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $1,754 |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
The market analysis for Section 8 investors targeting ZIP code 72020 in the White County, AR metro area reveals a favorable cashflow scenario for property owners. The HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) for the metro area is set at $880 for fiscal year 2026, which is significantly higher than the average market rent reported by the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), currently at $617. This means that voucher tenants will provide a strong positive cashflow at the FMR rate, allowing landlords to earn approximately $263 more per month than the prevailing market rates.
To derive the rent-to-price ratio, we can use the median home value of $136,835. Given an average monthly rent of $617, the annual rent would be $7,404, resulting in a rent-to-price ratio of about 5.4%. This indicates that rental income is relatively low compared to the cost of owning a home in the area. However, the higher FMR rate for voucher tenants improves this ratio, making it more attractive for investment properties.
The data does not provide specific figures for the median Days on Market (DOM) or the percentage of homes that experience price cuts. Despite this lack of detail, the significant gap between the FMR and the market rent suggests that the rent-versus-buy dynamics are in favor of renting, particularly when considering the higher income potential from voucher tenants.
The strongest investor angle in ZIP 72020 is cashflow. With voucher tenants paying above market rates, landlords can expect consistent and reliable income, even in a market where home values suggest a lower rental yield. This makes Section 8 properties a solid choice for those looking to maximize their monthly earnings from rental investments.
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.