Section 8 Fair Market Rent (FMR) for ZIP 97503 - 2027

Location: Medford, OR | Metro: Medford, OR MSA

Investment Score for ZIP 97503

F
Monthly Rent (2BR)
$1,500
Median Price (2BR)
$305,944
1% Rule
0.49%
Annual Yield
5.88%

Based on 1% Rule: A+ (≥1.5%) | A (≥1.2%) | B (≥1.0%) | C (≥0.8%) | D (≥0.6%) | F (<0.6%)

FY 2027 Fair Market Rent Rates

Unit Size Monthly FMR
Studio$1,050
1 Bedroom$1,210
2 Bedrooms$1,500
3 Bedrooms$2,080
4 Bedrooms$2,480
5 Bedrooms$2,877
6 Bedrooms$3,222
7 Bedrooms$3,480
8 Bedrooms$3,654

Investment Analysis by Bedroom Size

Zillow median home prices vs Section 8 FMR rates (Data: 2026-07-31)

Bedrooms Monthly FMR Median Price 1% Rule Grade
2BR $1,500 $305,944 0.49% F
3BR $2,080 $354,462 0.59% F
4BR $2,480 $454,420 0.55% F

Demographics & Housing Statistics

U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)

Population
13,938
Median Household Income
$70,263
Housing Units
4,773
Renter Percentage
16.3%
Occupancy Rate
96.1%
Renter Occupied
749
Based on the data provided, here's a market analysis for Section 8 investors targeting ZIP 97503, which encompasses White City, OR, within the Jackson County and Medford, OR MSA metro area.

The HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) for ZIP 97503 in fiscal year 2024 is set at $1,380. This figure is used to determine the maximum rental assistance payment standard for Section 8 vouchers. In contrast, the Census ACS reports the market rent for the same area at $1,212. This indicates that voucher tenants can generally achieve positive cash flow at the FMR rate, even in the current market conditions.

To derive the rent-to-price ratio, we use the median home value of $351,617. Dividing the HUD FMR by the median home value gives us a ratio of approximately 0.39%, suggesting that rental income is relatively low compared to property values. However, this does not necessarily impact the investment potential negatively, as it reflects a stable housing market where homeownership remains affordable relative to rental rates.

The dynamics of rent versus buy in White City do not significantly affect the decision-making process for investors. The median Days on Market (DOM) is listed as N/A, indicating limited data availability. Similarly, the price-cut share is 0.2%, suggesting that sellers rarely need to reduce their asking prices, which can be beneficial for long-term stability and predictability in the real estate market.

In conclusion, the strongest investor angle in ZIP 97503 is cash flow. Given the discrepancy between the HUD FMR and the actual market rent, investors can expect to generate positive cash flow from their Section 8 properties, making it an attractive option for landlords and small-portfolio investors seeking reliable returns.

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.