Section 8 Fair Market Rent (FMR) for ZIP 79220 - 2027

Location: Dickens County, TX | Metro: Dickens County, TX

FY 2027 Fair Market Rent Rates

Unit Size	Monthly FMR
Studio	$920
1 Bedroom	$960
2 Bedrooms	$1,210
3 Bedrooms	$1,560
4 Bedrooms	$1,740
5 Bedrooms	$2,018
6 Bedrooms	$2,260
7 Bedrooms	$2,441
8 Bedrooms	$2,563

Demographics & Housing Statistics

U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)

Population

225

Median Household Income

$49,792

Housing Units

107

Renter Percentage

35.8%

Occupancy Rate

75.7%

Renter Occupied

To decide whether to invest in ZIP code 79220 for Section 8 properties, follow these steps:

Step 1: Debt Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR): The Fair Market Rent (FMR) for the metro area in fiscal year 2026 is $1,120. Determine if this amount can cover the debt service on a property. If the FMR does not clear the debt service, do not proceed with the investment. This is a hard stop.
Step 2: Market Rent Comparison: Compare the FMR of $1,120 to the market rent in ZIP 79220. If the market rent is significantly above the FMR, consider the potential for higher returns but also the risk of losing tenants who rely on Section 8 vouchers. If market rent is at or below the FMR, the risk is lower because rents align with what voucher holders can afford.
Step 3: Rental Demand: Analyze the rental demand. In ZIP 79220, 35.8% of residents are renters, and the days on market (DOM) is not specified. However, if the DOM is low, it indicates strong demand, making ZIP 79220 a viable option for Section 8 investments. If the DOM is high, it suggests weak demand, which could make renting out a property challenging even with Section 8 support.

Yes: If the FMR clears the debt service, market rent is at or below the FMR, and there is a sufficient number of renters with a low DOM, then investing in ZIP 79220 is advisable.

No: If any of the conditions fail—specifically, if the FMR cannot cover the debt service, or market rent is much higher than the FMR, or the rental demand is insufficient with a high DOM—then avoid purchasing properties in ZIP 79220 for Section 8 purposes.

It Depends: If the FMR is just barely covering the debt service, or the market rent is slightly above the FMR, or the rental demand is moderate with an average DOM, then further investigation into the local housing market trends and the specifics of the property in question is necessary before making a final 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.