Location: Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | Metro: Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 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 | $1,970 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,990 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $2,350 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $3,080 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $3,860 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $4,478 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $5,015 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $5,416 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $5,687 |
Zillow median home prices vs Section 8 FMR rates (Data: 2026-08-31)
| Bedrooms | Monthly FMR | Median Price | 1% Rule | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $2,350 | $235,583 | 1% | C |
| 3BR | $3,080 | $337,789 | 0.91% | C |
| 4BR | $3,860 | $401,637 | 0.96% | C |
| 5BR | $4,478 | $509,049 | 0.88% | C |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
Fort Worth’s 76244 ZIP, largely comprising the Keller area, is characterized by its master-planned communities and strong suburban appeal. The neighborhood is anchored by high-quality residential developments and benefits from proximity to major employment hubs, with the Keller Independent School District serving as a key institutional draw for families. Local infrastructure supports a car-dependent lifestyle with easy access to retail corridors along Southlake Boulevard, maintaining the area’s reputation as a stable, family-centric environment within Tarrant County.
From a financial perspective, the HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) for a 2-bedroom unit is set at $2,340, while current market rents (Zillow ZORI) average approximately $1,968. This creates a substantial premium of $372 per month for voucher holders compared to standard market tenants. With a median home value of $383,732 and a moderate median days on market of 44 days, the asset class shows decent liquidity, though the spread between market rent and the HUD benchmark is the most critical metric for cash flow analysis here.
The tenant base is relatively affluent, boasting a median household income of $122,217, yet the renter share sits at 32.0%. This dynamic suggests that while the area is predominantly owner-occupied, the rental demand that does exist is high-income and likely tied to the top-rated Keller ISD schools. For voucher holders, the local demand is driven by families seeking access to these educational amenities rather than transit proximity, as the area lacks dense public transportation infrastructure.
The strongest investor angle in 76244 is the cash-flow potential offered by the HUD SAFMR, which significantly exceeds the market rate. Accepting Section 8 vouchers here allows landlords to capture rents well above the neighborhood average, effectively insulating the investment from standard market fluctuations. While the area offers appreciation stability due to high home values, the ability to secure a guaranteed $372 premium over market rent makes the Section 8 strategy the clear financial winner.
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.