Location: Kittitas County, WA | Metro: Kittitas County, WA
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 | $1,730 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,900 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $2,480 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $3,430 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $4,150 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $4,814 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $5,392 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $5,823 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $6,114 |
Zillow median home prices vs Section 8 FMR rates (Data: 2026-07-31)
| Bedrooms | Monthly FMR | Median Price | 1% Rule | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $2,480 | $431,523 | 0.57% | F |
| 3BR | $3,430 | $507,899 | 0.68% | D |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
The ZIP code 98941, located in Roslyn, WA, has a population of 1,076 residents, with 32.2% being renters. This indicates that it is a moderately renter-heavy area, though not dominated by renters. The median household income stands at $104,800, which suggests that while there is a segment of the population that could benefit from rental assistance programs such as Section 8, the overall income level is relatively high compared to the national average.
In terms of affordability, a market rent of $1,500 consumes approximately 14.3% of the median household income in this ZIP code. This is calculated by dividing the rent ($1,500) by the median income ($104,800) and multiplying by 100. In comparison, the Fair Market Rent (FMR) for the metro area is set at $2,180 (for FY 2026), indicating that the actual market rent in 98941 is below the FMR threshold, making it more affordable for tenants seeking housing assistance.
Given the income levels and the relatively lower market rent, landlords in ZIP 98941 can expect a tenant pool that includes individuals who might be eligible for Section 8 vouchers but also have the financial means to cover any gap between the voucher amount and the total rent. This mix can be advantageous for landlords as it reduces the risk associated with relying solely on government subsidies. However, the scarcity of renters relative to homeowners means that the demand for Section 8 vouchers may not be as deep as in areas with higher percentages of renters.
To summarize, while 98941 has a significant portion of renters, the high median income and lower-than-FMR market rents suggest that landlords will likely encounter a tenant base capable of contributing to their rent beyond what is covered by vouchers. Landlords should prepare for a scenario where tenants can manage a portion of the rent themselves, alongside receiving some form of assistance through the Section 8 program.
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.