Renting · Section 8
Data from November 2026
Renting in Clarke County, Alabama
Clarke County has a HUD fair market rent of $921 a month for 2 bedrooms (Fiscal year 2027). Renter households here pay a typical rent of $782 a month (Average 2020–2024). Paying the fair market rent without going over 30% of income takes $17.71 an hour, full time.
Four numbers to start with
- Fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
- $921
- a month, HUD, Fiscal year 2027
- 21% less than in Alabama
- Typical rent
- $782
- a month, Census, Average 2020–2024
- 22% less than in Alabama
- Wage needed
- $17.71
- an hour, 2 bedrooms
- Or $36,840 a year, to spend no more than 30% of income on rent.
- Rent-burdened households
- 58%
- spend 30% or more of income on rent
- 18% more than in Alabama
Only here
Renting in Clarke County: what sets it apart
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
-
Nearby, in Choctaw County, the typical rent is $543: 31% less than in Clarke County ($782).
-
Clarke County has the 4th largest share of rent-burdened renters of the 65 counties in Alabama with this figure (58%).
-
22% of households in Clarke County have no internet at home, against 10% in Alabama.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).
Fair market rent
What HUD sets for each size
Every year HUD (the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) publishes a Fair Market Rent (FMR) for each home size in Clarke County. It is used to work out how much a Section 8 voucher covers. The table shows what you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income.
The fair market rent covers rent plus basic utilities, except the phone. HUD generally sets it at the 40th percentile: 4 in 10 standard-quality homes rented recently cost less. 24 CFR §888.113(a)
| Size | Fair rent per month | Hourly wage | Income needed per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $699 | $13.44 | $27,960 |
| 1 bedroom | $704 | $13.54 | $28,160 |
| 2 bedrooms | $921 | $17.71 | $36,840 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,204 | $23.15 | $48,160 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,476 | $28.38 | $59,040 |
HUD area: Clarke County, AL. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027
By ZIP code
The fair market rent for your ZIP code
HUD also publishes fair market rents by ZIP code (Small Area FMRs) for 16 ZIP codes in Clarke County (Fiscal year 2027). Type yours to see it.
For 2 bedrooms they run from $920 in 36436 to $990 in 36784. 6 ZIP codes are above the county's fair market rent ($921).
Where HUD designates these areas, or where the housing agency chooses to use them, the voucher is figured on the ZIP code's rent instead of the county's. Ask your agency which one it uses. 24 CFR §982.503(a)(1)
| 36436 | Clarke County, AL | $700 | $700 | $920 | $1,200 | $1,480 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36446 | Clarke County, AL | $730 | $740 | $960 | $1,250 | $1,530 |
| 36451 | Clarke County, AL | $710 | $720 | $940 | $1,230 | $1,510 |
| 36482 | Clarke County, AL | $700 | $700 | $920 | $1,200 | $1,480 |
| 36482 | Monroe County, AL | $700 | $700 | $920 | $1,200 | $1,480 |
| 36524 | Clarke County, AL | $700 | $700 | $920 | $1,200 | $1,480 |
| 36540 | Clarke County, AL | $700 | $700 | $920 | $1,210 | $1,480 |
| 36545 | Clarke County, AL | $700 | $700 | $920 | $1,200 | $1,480 |
| 36727 | Clarke County, AL | $730 | $740 | $950 | $1,250 | $1,490 |
| 36751 | Clarke County, AL | $710 | $780 | $920 | $1,270 | $1,430 |
| 36751 | Marengo County, AL | $710 | $780 | $920 | $1,270 | $1,430 |
| 36751 | Monroe County, AL | $710 | $780 | $920 | $1,270 | $1,430 |
| 36751 | Wilcox County, AL | $710 | $780 | $920 | $1,270 | $1,430 |
| 36784 | Clarke County, AL | $760 | $770 | $990 | $1,300 | $1,560 |
| 36784 | Marengo County, AL | $760 | $770 | $990 | $1,300 | $1,560 |
| 36784 | Wilcox County, AL | $760 | $770 | $990 | $1,300 | $1,560 |
- 36436 · Clarke County, AL $920$1,200
- 36446 · Clarke County, AL $960$1,250
- 36451 · Clarke County, AL $940$1,230
- 36482 · Clarke County, AL $920$1,200
- 36482 · Monroe County, AL $920$1,200
- 36524 · Clarke County, AL $920$1,200
- 36540 · Clarke County, AL $920$1,210
- 36545 · Clarke County, AL $920$1,200
- 36727 · Clarke County, AL $950$1,250
- 36751 · Clarke County, AL $920$1,270
- 36751 · Marengo County, AL $920$1,270
- 36751 · Monroe County, AL $920$1,270
- 36751 · Wilcox County, AL $920$1,270
- 36784 · Clarke County, AL $990$1,300
- 36784 · Marengo County, AL $990$1,300
- 36784 · Wilcox County, AL $990$1,300
Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Fiscal year 2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (external site)
Rent burden
How many households spend too much
HUD counts rent as a burden when it reaches 30% of income or more. In Clarke County, 58% of renter households are in that position; in Alabama, 49%, and nationwide, 51% (Average 2020–2024, Census).
Paying too much rent leaves little for food, transportation and savings. If that is you, the agencies below can guide you for free.
58%
of renter households spend 30% or more of their income on rent.
2,461 households rent in Clarke County
- Spend half or more of their income 20%
- Spend 30% or more, but less than half 37%
- Spend less than 30% 42%
Compared with the state and the country
- Clarke 58%
- Alabama 49%
- United States 51%
Low-income apartments
Low-income apartments in Clarke County
HUD lists 18 properties with homes for low-income households in Clarke County: tax-credit apartments (LIHTC) and HUD-assisted buildings. They run from the most low-income homes to the fewest.
- with tax credits (LIHTC)
- 16
- HUD-assisted
- 3
735 homes in all; 728 of them low-income, according to HUD.
- Timberline - Pinehurst Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) · HUD-assisted 100 Quincy Ingram St, Thomasville 36784 100 low-income homes · 1 bd: 36 · 2 bd: 64 · In service since 2007 · For people with disabilities, families · (334) 636-4341
- Cottonwood Estates Tax credit (LIHTC) 510 E Pearl St, Jackson 36545 48 low-income homes · 2 bd: 40 · 3 bd: 8 · In service since 2009 · For people with disabilities, families
- Pine Ridge Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 3126 Highway 43, Jackson 36545 48 low-income homes · 2 bd: 36 · 3 bd: 12 · In service since 1995 · For families
- Ridge Chase Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 440 Quincy Ingram St, Thomasville 36784 48 low-income homes · 2 bd: 36 · 3 bd: 12 · In service since 1994 · For families
- Rock Pointe Tax credit (LIHTC) 102 Rock Pointe Ct, Thomasville 36784 48 low-income homes · 1 bd: 8 · 2 bd: 24 · 3 bd: 16 · In service since 1999 · For people with disabilities, families
- Windrush Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 149 Stanley Dr, Jackson 36545 48 low-income homes · 1 bd: 16 · 2 bd: 24 · 3 bd: 8 · In service since 2007 · For people with disabilities, families
- Windsor Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 110 Elm St, Jackson 36545 47 low-income homes · 1 bd: 41 · 2 bd: 6 · In service since 2011 · For older adults, people with disabilities
- Brookshire Manor Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 5000 Davis Ind Blvd, Thomasville 36784 45 low-income homes · 1 bd: 41 · 2 bd: 4 · In service since 1990 · For older adults, people with disabilities
- Pines at Grove Hill Tax credit (LIHTC) 350 Sandy Cir, Grove Hill 36451 43 low-income homes · 3 bd: 38 · 4 bd: 5 · In service since 2008 · For people with disabilities, families
- The Grove Apartments HUD-assisted 101 Grove Dr, Jackson 36545 40 low-income homes · For families · (251) 246-2177
- The Grove Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 101 1/2 Grove Dr, Jackson 36545 40 low-income homes · 1 bd: 12 · 2 bd: 8 · 3 bd: 20 · In service since 1993 · For people with disabilities, families
- Willow Trace Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 105 Evin Ln, Jackson 36545 40 homes, 34 low-income · 1 bd: 2 · 2 bd: 26 · 3 bd: 12 · In service since 2002 · For families
- Country Club Cottages Tax credit (LIHTC) 705 Cogle St, Thomasville 36784 32 low-income homes · 1 bd: 12 · 2 bd: 20 · In service since 2006 · For older adults, people with disabilities
- Coventry Gardens Tax credit (LIHTC) 460 W Cobb St, Grove Hill 36451 32 low-income homes · 2 bd: 24 · 3 bd: 8 · In service since 1995 · For people with disabilities, families
- Pecan Grove Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 458 W Cobb St, Grove Hill 36451 24 low-income homes · 1 bd: 8 · 2 bd: 16 · In service since 2007 · For people with disabilities, families
- San Dee Apartments Tax credit (LIHTC) 258 Court St, Grove Hill 36451 24 low-income homes · 1 bd: 8 · 2 bd: 16 · In service since 2015 · For families
- Field Crest Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 22271 Highway 69, Coffeeville 36524 19 low-income homes · 1 bd: 6 · 2 bd: 13 · In service since 1991 · For older adults, people with disabilities
- Arc Home (THE) HUD-assisted 227 McIntyre Ave, Jackson 36545 9 homes, 8 low-income · For people with disabilities
One property has two programs at the same address and appears once. Search HUD's map
Source: HUD, retrieved November 6, 2026. LIHTC database, updated May 14, 2025; Assisted multifamily properties, updated October 23, 2026; Public housing developments, updated October 23, 2026.
Section 8
The Section 8 voucher in Clarke County
The Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) pays part of your rent on a home you choose. A public housing agency runs it. HUD lists none with an office in Clarke County; the state's agencies can help you. Here is what the rules say:
The rules, with their source
-
You apply at the public housing agency. If you qualify, your name usually goes on a waiting list. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or noncitizens with eligible status as HUD defines it. Source: HUD
-
Generally, your family must have very low income: no more than 50% of the area median income, by family size (the middle column of the table). Source: 24 CFR §5.603, §982.201(b)
-
Each year, at least 75% of the families an agency admits from its list must have extremely low income (the 30% column). Source: 24 CFR §982.201(b)(2)
-
If the rent is below the payment standard, the family generally pays 30% of its adjusted monthly income. If it is above, the family pays more. Source: 24 CFR §982.1(a)(3)
-
When you move in, if the rent is above the payment standard, your share cannot go over 40% of your adjusted monthly income. Source: 24 CFR §982.508
-
Each agency sets a payment standard for each size. Without asking HUD, it can go from 90% to 110% of the fair market rent. Source: 24 CFR §982.503(b), (c)
| People | Extremely low (30%) | Very low (50%) | Low |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $15,960 | $26,500 | $42,350 |
| 2 people | $21,640 | $30,250 | $48,400 |
| 3 people | $27,320 | $34,050 | $54,450 |
| 4 people | $33,000 | $37,800 | $60,500 |
| 5 people | $38,680 | $40,850 | $65,350 |
| 6 people | $43,850 | $43,850 | $70,200 |
| 7 people | $46,900 | $46,900 | $75,050 |
| 8 people | $49,900 | $49,900 | $79,900 |
Area median income: $75,600. HUD income limits by family size, Fiscal year 2026. Area: Clarke County, AL. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2026
Possible payment standard
- Studio $629 – $769
- 1 bedroom $634 – $774
- 2 bedrooms $829 – $1,013
- 3 bedrooms $1,084 – $1,324
- 4 bedrooms $1,328 – $1,624
The range the rule allows: 90% to 110% of the county's fair market rent. Your agency publishes its own.
Housing agencies that serve this place
HUD lists no housing agency with an office in Clarke County. You can apply at another agency in your state: you do not have to live where you apply. Source: HUD
Your rights as a tenant in Alabama
What Alabama law says about deposits, notices and eviction, with the citation for each rule.
See your rights, rule by ruleCompare these rules with other states →
A summary of state law, not legal advice. Cities may have additional rules.
- How much can they charge for a deposit?
- Up to 1 month of rent
- Ala. Code §35-9A-201(a)
- When must they return my deposit?
- 60 calendar days
- Ala. Code §35-9A-201(b)-(c)
- If I fall behind on rent, what notice must I get?
- 7 business days
- Ala. Code §35-9A-421(b)
- How much notice ends a month-to-month rental?
- 30 calendar days
- Ala. Code §35-9A-441(b)
- Only a court order can remove youAla. Code §35-9A-427
- Protection from retaliationAla. Code §35-9A-501(a)
Help
Where to get help with rent in Clarke County
HUD lists no counseling agencies near in Clarke County. Free legal aid and your housing agency can guide you.
Tool
How much cash do you need to move in?
It starts with the 2-bedroom fair market rent in Clarke County. Change the rent, the deposit and the fees to yours: the numbers stay in your browser.
Count power on top of the rent: in Alabama, the average home bill was $174 a month in 2024 (EIA). See electricity and gas costs
Your move
We use the place's fair market rent and the state's deposit rule.
Adjust advanced details
Let's do the math
Cash to move in
$1,842
What you need before you get the keys.
What adds up
- First month
- $921
- Security deposit
- $921
- Total
- $1,842
When you'll have it
Enter what you can set aside each month to see how long it takes.
What helps
- Ask for a receipt for every payment and keep a copy of the lease.
- On move-in day, walk through the home and take dated photos.
- Never send money for a home you haven't seen or a lease you haven't read.
This is a planning estimate, not a price. What you are asked for depends on the landlord, your lease and your state's and city's rules. It is not legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
What is the fair market rent in Clarke County?
According to HUD (Fiscal year 2027): Studio: $699; 1 bedroom: $704; 2 bedrooms: $921; 3 bedrooms: $1,204; 4 bedrooms: $1,476. It covers rent plus basic utilities, except the phone.
How much do you need to earn to rent in Clarke County?
Paying the 2-bedroom fair market rent ($921) without spending more than 30% of income takes $17.71 an hour full time, or $36,840 a year.
Who qualifies for Section 8 in Clarke County?
Generally, families with very low income: no more than 50% of the area median income. For 4 people, HUD's limit here is $37,800 a year (Fiscal year 2026). The family usually pays 30% of its adjusted monthly income. You apply at the housing agency.
How much does Section 8 pay in Clarke County?
The voucher pays up to your housing agency's payment standard, minus your share. The rule lets the agency set it between 90% and 110% of the fair market rent: for 2 bedrooms here, between $829 and $1,013 a month. Your agency publishes its figure.
Does the fair market rent change by ZIP code in Clarke County?
For 2 bedrooms they run from $920 in 36436 to $990 in 36784. Where HUD designates these areas, or where the housing agency chooses to use them, the voucher is figured on the ZIP code's rent instead of the county's. Ask your agency which one it uses.
How many low-income apartments are there in Clarke County?
HUD lists 18 properties with homes for low-income households in Clarke County: tax-credit apartments (LIHTC) and HUD-assisted buildings. They run from the most low-income homes to the fewest. For tax-credit apartments and HUD-assisted buildings, you apply directly at the building's management office. They tell you whether units are open and how to apply; HUD does not have that information.
How many households spend too much on rent in Clarke County?
HUD counts rent as a burden when it reaches 30% of income or more. In Clarke County, 58% of renter households are in that position; in Alabama, 49%, and nationwide, 51% (Average 2020–2024, Census).