Location: Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | Metro: Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA MSA
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 | $1,530 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,600 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,990 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $2,630 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $3,170 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $3,677 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $4,118 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $4,447 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $4,669 |
Zillow median home prices vs Section 8 FMR rates (Data: 2026-07-31)
| Bedrooms | Monthly FMR | Median Price | 1% Rule | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1BR | $1,600 | $250,543 | 0.64% | D |
| 2BR | $1,990 | $325,920 | 0.61% | D |
| 3BR | $2,630 | $408,083 | 0.64% | D |
| 4BR | $3,170 | $491,521 | 0.64% | D |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
ZIP code 92252, located in Joshua Tree, CA, is a mixed housing market but leans towards being renter-heavy. With a population of 7,538, 32.7% of residents are renters, indicating a significant portion of the community relies on rental properties. The median household income stands at $66,598, which provides context for evaluating the affordability of the average market rent of $2,181.
The typical rent in Joshua Tree consumes approximately 32.7% of the median household income. This calculation is derived from dividing the market rent ($2,181) by the annual median household income ($66,598), then multiplying by 100. In other words, a family earning the median income would spend just over one-third of their monthly income on rent, which is a substantial amount but still within the realm of affordability for many households.
Comparing the market rent to the Fair Market Rent (FMR) set by HUD, which is $1,580 for FY 2024, it's clear that the market rent in Joshua Tree exceeds the FMR by $601. This discrepancy suggests that landlords may find fewer tenants able to afford the higher market rates using only their vouchers without additional income. The FMR serves as a benchmark for voucher values, meaning that while vouchers can help, they might not fully cover the cost of renting in this area.
A landlord in ZIP 92252 should anticipate tenants who are likely to be heavily reliant on their Section 8 vouchers to subsidize the cost of rent. These tenants will require the total rent to be affordable when combined with their other sources of income. It is advisable for landlords to screen potential tenants carefully to ensure they can meet the financial obligations of renting at market rates, even with the assistance of a voucher.
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.