Location: Curry County, OR | Metro: Curry County, OR
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 | $900 |
| 1 Bedroom | $990 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,290 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,700 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,900 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $2,204 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $2,468 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $2,665 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $2,798 |
Zillow median home prices vs Section 8 FMR rates (Data: 2026-07-31)
| Bedrooms | Monthly FMR | Median Price | 1% Rule | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1BR | $990 | $396,400 | 0.25% | F |
| 2BR | $1,290 | $358,543 | 0.36% | F |
| 3BR | $1,700 | $432,604 | 0.39% | F |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
The Section 8 thesis in ZIP code 97465, which encompasses Port Orford, OR, is centered around the significant disparity between the Fair Market Rent (FMR) and the actual market rent. For fiscal year 2026, the FMR is set at $1,310, while the Census ACS data indicates that the average market rent stands at $837. This creates a gap of $473 per month, representing a 56.5% difference between the two figures.
In this scenario where the FMR exceeds the market rent, landlords and small-portfolio investors can leverage this discrepancy to enhance their investment yields. By accepting Section 8 tenants, they can charge the higher FMR rate, thus increasing their rental income without having to raise rents above what the local market can bear. This makes it an attractive strategy for maximizing returns on investment properties in Port Orford.
Port Orford's demographic context further supports this thesis. With 27.3% of residents being renters and a median home value of $376,508, the town has a mix of homeowners and renters, suggesting a stable demand for rental properties. Additionally, the median income of $43,777 indicates that many residents may rely on housing vouchers to afford living in the area, making Section 8 a viable option for securing tenants.
However, if the FMR were to be less than the market rent, which is not the case here but worth considering for other areas, the cost of housing voucher tenants would come into play. Landlords might have to accept lower rents compared to open-market rates, potentially reducing their profit margins. But given the current situation in Port Orford, the higher FMR rate presents an opportunity to increase rental income significantly.
To summarize, the $473 monthly gap between the FMR and market rent in Port Orford, OR, represents a 56.5% premium for landlords who choose to accept Section 8 tenants. This makes it a compelling yield play, especially in a market where a significant portion of the population relies on rental housing and housing assistance programs.
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.