Additionally, for water/sewer, you can call the Public Works of that town and and find out the average cost per bedroom (water/sewer is going to be measured per consumption) and budget accordingly. 

@Yonathan RandolphYou can also send the meters to the county weights and measures department that the meter will be located in.

As an investor who is aiming to acquire my first property by the end of the year, I am currently performing analysis to select an out-of-state market.

Aim for tenant stability and buy assets that are relatively stable. 

Now with covid greatly easing, not only will things open up but open with a burst from pent up consumer energy, people will be acting and spending in euphory measures.

And if so, what should I use as the measurement?

Condoning, rewarding and enriching the utterly irresponsible state and local governments that have by any measure totally mismanaged their activities for many many years (e.g., Illinois, California, New York, New Jersey, etc.). 

What I’m trying to ask is, would a townhome make a first descent rental property or should I aim for a home as a rental?

For me, I have an upper limit that I would aim for.

I fail to see how such a measure would be Constitutional, but that doesn't seem to matter anymore.