On this page
Build a scorecard
| Factor | Neighborhood A | Neighborhood B | Neighborhood C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent + utilities + fees | |||
| Transportation cost | |||
| Commute time (peak) | |||
| Groceries/pharmacy nearby | |||
| Health care access | |||
| Childcare/schools | |||
| Transit access | |||
| Flood/hazard risk | |||
| Insurance cost | |||
| Accessibility | |||
| Personal needs (family, faith, community) |
Test the real trip
Make the commute at the actual time you’d travel, by the mode you’d use. Check transit reliability and late-night options.
Check property-specific risks
- Flood zones and history of flooding
- Heat and wildfire risk
- Air quality and nearby industrial sites
- Lead risk in older housing
- Insurance quotes before committing
Schools
Use your state’s school report cards and district boundary maps. Visit if possible. Remember children experiencing homelessness can stay in their school of origin. See McKinney-Vento rights.
Fair housing reminder
Real estate agents and landlords may not steer you toward or away from neighborhoods based on race, national origin, religion, familial status, or other protected characteristics. You choose where to live.
Voucher holders
Payment standards may be higher in some ZIP codes (Small Area Fair Market Rents), and some agencies offer mobility counseling to help families move to areas with more opportunity. See payment standards.
Questions to answer on a visit
Visit at least twice—on a weekday evening and a weekend—and notice:
- Noise levels (traffic, nightlife, trains, flight paths)
- Lighting on walking routes and near transit stops
- Parking availability at night
- Condition of nearby buildings and sidewalks
- Access to groceries, pharmacies, laundromats, and childcare
- Cell phone signal and internet options
Talk to neighbors or local businesses if you can; they often know about flooding, parking, or building management issues that don’t show up online.
Estimate transportation costs
| Mode | Monthly costs to include |
|---|---|
| Car | Payment, insurance (rates vary by ZIP code), gas, parking, maintenance |
| Transit | Pass costs, time, reliability, late-night service |
| Bike/walk | Safety of routes, weather, storage |
| Rideshare/taxi | Frequency of trips you can’t avoid |
A lower rent can be offset by a second car or an hour of extra commuting each day.
Check environmental and disaster risk
- Flood: use FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center and ask about past flooding and sump pumps.
- Wildfire, heat, and wind: FEMA’s National Risk Index shows county- and tract-level risk for many hazards.
- Air and water: check local air quality reports and whether the home has lead service lines (many utilities publish lead service line inventories).
- Older homes: homes built before 1978 may have lead paint; see lead and health hazards.
Schools and childcare
- Confirm the assigned school by address with the district—not just a map.
- Look at state school report cards for multiple measures (attendance, growth, programs), not only test scores.
- Ask about childcare waitlists and costs nearby.
Safety information
Crime maps can be misleading because reporting varies. Look at trends, visit, and talk to people who live there. Avoid relying on “neighborhood rating” sites that may reflect bias.
Mobility programs for voucher holders
Some housing agencies run housing mobility programs that provide counseling, landlord outreach, and higher payment standards to help families move to neighborhoods with strong schools and job access. Ask your agency whether it participates.
Frequently asked questions
Why should I include transportation costs?
Lower rent farther away can be offset by higher car, gas, and time costs. Housing plus transportation is a better measure of affordability than rent alone.
How can I check flood risk?
Use FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center for flood zones and ask the landlord or seller about past flooding. Many states require flood disclosure. Flood insurance is separate from renters or homeowners insurance.
Sources and verification
Use these sources to check program rules. Funding, openings, and local procedures must be confirmed with the agency handling your application.
- National Risk IndexFederal Emergency Management Agency
- FEMA Flood Map Service CenterFederal Emergency Management Agency
- Census data: housingU.S. Census Bureau
- Environmental topics and dataU.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Found a changed rule or a broken link? Report a correction for this guide.