Location: Prairie County, AR | Metro: Prairie County, AR
| Unit Size | Monthly FMR |
|---|---|
| Studio | $660 |
| 1 Bedroom | $710 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $930 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,200 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,300 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $1,508 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $1,689 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $1,824 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $1,915 |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
The Section 8 market analysis for ZIP code 72041 in Prairie County, AR, reveals a significant opportunity for landlords and small-portfolio investors. The HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) for the metro area in fiscal year 2026 is set at $910, which is notably higher than the current market rent of $590 as reported by the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS).
This disparity means that voucher tenants will generally cashflow positively at the FMR rate. Landlords can expect to see a margin of safety when renting to Section 8 tenants, as the FMR exceeds the typical market rent by over $300 per month. This buffer provides a solid foundation for covering operational costs and generating a profit.
Given that the median home value in the area is listed as N/A, it suggests that there might be limited data available for deriving an accurate rent-to-price ratio. However, the high FMR relative to market rent indicates that rental income from voucher tenants could be a more reliable and stable source compared to purchasing homes in the area, where data is sparse.
The N/A-day median days on market (DOM) and N/A% price cut share suggest that there isn't sufficient data to make a strong case regarding the difficulty of selling properties versus renting them. Nonetheless, the robust cashflow potential from Section 8 tenants makes rental a compelling option.
The strongest investor angle in this market is undoubtedly cashflow. With the FMR well above the current market rent, landlords can secure steady income from voucher tenants while maintaining financial flexibility and stability.
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.