Location: Tacoma, WA | Metro: Tacoma, WA 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 | $1,900 |
| 1 Bedroom | $2,140 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $2,630 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $3,630 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $4,100 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $4,756 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $5,327 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $5,753 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $6,041 |
Zillow median home prices vs Section 8 FMR rates (Data: 2026-07-31)
| Bedrooms | Monthly FMR | Median Price | 1% Rule | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $2,630 | $392,489 | 0.67% | D |
| 3BR | $3,630 | $537,594 | 0.68% | D |
| 4BR | $4,100 | $629,399 | 0.65% | D |
| 5BR | $4,756 | $711,538 | 0.67% | D |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
The ZIP code 98327, located in Dupont, WA, has a population of 9,931 residents. With 38.5% of the population being renters, this indicates a significant but not overwhelming portion of the community relies on rental housing. The median household income stands at $120,781, which places it in a relatively high-income bracket compared to national averages.
The market rent for the area is $2,591, representing approximately 21.4% of the median household income. This calculation is derived from dividing the market rent by the median income ($2,591 / $120,781 = 0.0214), indicating that typical rent consumes a substantial yet manageable portion of local incomes. For context, the Fair Market Rent (FMR) for the area, as set by HUD for FY 2024, is $2,710, slightly higher than the current market rent. This suggests that the market rent is below the threshold that might be considered unaffordable by HUD standards.
Given these figures, ZIP 98327 is not characterized by a deep voucher demand. The relatively high median income means that fewer households qualify for Section 8 vouchers, which are typically reserved for those earning less than 50% of the Area Median Income (AMI). In this case, landlords can expect tenants who are likely employed and financially stable, able to pay market rents without relying heavily on government subsidies. However, some low-income households may still seek assistance through Section 8, though they would represent a smaller segment of the overall rental market.
To conclude, while there is a notable presence of renters in ZIP 98327, the area is not dominated by them nor is it a hub for deep voucher demand. Landlords should anticipate a mix of tenants, primarily those capable of paying market rates, with a smaller subset possibly utilizing Section 8 vouchers. The key takeaway is that the rental market here is robust but not reliant on subsidized housing 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.