Location: White County, AR | Metro: Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR 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 | $930 |
| 1 Bedroom | $930 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,080 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,450 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,740 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $2,018 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $2,260 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $2,441 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $2,563 |
Zillow median home prices vs Section 8 FMR rates (Data: 2026-07-31)
| Bedrooms | Monthly FMR | Median Price | 1% Rule | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3BR | $1,450 | $238,321 | 0.61% | D |
| 4BR | $1,740 | $307,958 | 0.57% | F |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
The ZIP code 72173 has a population of 9,990 residents, with 15.1% of them being renters. This indicates that it is not heavily dominated by renters but rather has a moderate rental presence. Given the median household income of $74,600, the typical market rent of $1,272 represents approximately 17% of the average local income. This percentage is significant and suggests that tenants may be sensitive to rent increases.
Comparing the market rent to the Fair Market Rent (FMR) set at $1,000 for fiscal year 2024, it's clear that the actual rents in ZIP 72173 exceed the FMR by 27%. Landlords must be aware that this discrepancy could affect the number of Section 8 voucher holders able to afford units in this area.
A landlord in ZIP 72173 should anticipate a tenant pool that includes individuals and families who rely on the combination of their income and Section 8 vouchers to meet housing costs. These tenants will likely be seeking units priced closer to the FMR threshold to maximize their affordability. Additionally, the landlord might encounter tenants who have higher incomes relative to the median, enabling them to cover the excess rent beyond the voucher amount.
To attract and retain Section 8 tenants effectively, landlords need to ensure that their properties are well-maintained and competitive in terms of amenities and location within the ZIP code. The higher-than-FMR rents mean that landlords must balance the benefits of higher rental income against the potential challenges of finding and keeping tenants who can only afford the subsidized rate.
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.