Location: Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR | Metro: Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA 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 | $1,560 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,670 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,920 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $2,610 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $3,140 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $3,642 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $4,079 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $4,405 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $4,625 |
Zillow median home prices vs Section 8 FMR rates (Data: 2026-07-31)
| Bedrooms | Monthly FMR | Median Price | 1% Rule | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $1,920 | $309,200 | 0.62% | D |
| 3BR | $2,610 | $481,534 | 0.54% | F |
| 4BR | $3,140 | $564,865 | 0.56% | F |
| 5BR | $3,642 | $639,411 | 0.57% | F |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
To determine if you should buy in ZIP 98665 (Vancouver, WA) for Section 8 investment, follow this decision tree based on the provided data:
1) Does FMR $1820 (zip FY 2024) clear debt service on a $502,086 property?
2) Is market rent $1,810 (ZORI) above, at, or below FMR?
3) Are 42.0% renters + 16-day DOM enough demand?
If your goal is strictly to invest in Section 8 properties, the answer is no for ZIP 98665 due to the FMR not covering the debt service. However, if you're considering a mixed portfolio approach where some units could potentially be rented outside of Section 8, the strong demand could make it a viable option for those units. In any case, it's crucial to review the specific financials of individual properties before making a final decision.
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.