Renting · Section 8
Data from November 2026
Renting in Covington County, Alabama
Covington 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 $746 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
- $746
- a month, Census, Average 2020–2024
- 26% 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
- 50%
- spend 30% or more of income on rent
- 2% more than in Alabama
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 Covington 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 | $714 | $13.73 | $28,560 |
| 1 bedroom | $719 | $13.83 | $28,760 |
| 2 bedrooms | $921 | $17.71 | $36,840 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,181 | $22.71 | $47,240 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,539 | $29.60 | $61,560 |
HUD area: Covington 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 20 ZIP codes in Covington County (Fiscal year 2027). Type yours to see it.
For 2 bedrooms they run from $920 in 36028 to $990 in 36483. 8 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)
| 36028 | Covington County, AL | $710 | $710 | $920 | $1,140 | $1,380 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36028 | Crenshaw County, AL | $710 | $710 | $920 | $1,140 | $1,380 |
| 36038 | Covington County, AL | $740 | $750 | $960 | $1,230 | $1,600 |
| 36420 | Covington County, AL | $710 | $720 | $920 | $1,180 | $1,540 |
| 36420 | Escambia County, AL | $710 | $720 | $920 | $1,180 | $1,540 |
| 36421 | Conecuh County, AL | $740 | $750 | $960 | $1,230 | $1,600 |
| 36421 | Covington County, AL | $740 | $750 | $960 | $1,230 | $1,600 |
| 36442 | Covington County, AL | $760 | $770 | $980 | $1,260 | $1,640 |
| 36442 | Dothan, AL | $760 | $770 | $980 | $1,260 | $1,640 |
| 36455 | Covington County, AL | $710 | $720 | $920 | $1,180 | $1,540 |
| 36467 | Coffee County, AL | $710 | $720 | $920 | $1,180 | $1,540 |
| 36467 | Covington County, AL | $710 | $720 | $920 | $1,180 | $1,540 |
| 36467 | Crenshaw County, AL | $710 | $720 | $920 | $1,180 | $1,540 |
| 36467 | Dothan, AL | $710 | $720 | $920 | $1,180 | $1,540 |
| 36474 | Butler County, AL | $710 | $720 | $920 | $1,180 | $1,540 |
| 36474 | Conecuh County, AL | $710 | $720 | $920 | $1,180 | $1,540 |
| 36474 | Covington County, AL | $710 | $720 | $920 | $1,180 | $1,540 |
| 36476 | Covington County, AL | $720 | $730 | $930 | $1,190 | $1,550 |
| 36483 | Covington County, AL | $760 | $820 | $990 | $1,290 | $1,660 |
| 36483 | Escambia County, AL | $760 | $820 | $990 | $1,290 | $1,660 |
- 36028 · Covington County, AL $920$1,140
- 36028 · Crenshaw County, AL $920$1,140
- 36038 · Covington County, AL $960$1,230
- 36420 · Covington County, AL $920$1,180
- 36420 · Escambia County, AL $920$1,180
- 36421 · Conecuh County, AL $960$1,230
- 36421 · Covington County, AL $960$1,230
- 36442 · Covington County, AL $980$1,260
- 36442 · Dothan, AL $980$1,260
- 36455 · Covington County, AL $920$1,180
- 36467 · Coffee County, AL $920$1,180
- 36467 · Covington County, AL $920$1,180
- 36467 · Crenshaw County, AL $920$1,180
- 36467 · Dothan, AL $920$1,180
- 36474 · Butler County, AL $920$1,180
- 36474 · Conecuh County, AL $920$1,180
- 36474 · Covington County, AL $920$1,180
- 36476 · Covington County, AL $930$1,190
- 36483 · Covington County, AL $990$1,290
- 36483 · Escambia County, AL $990$1,290
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 Covington County, 50% 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.
50%
of renter households spend 30% or more of their income on rent.
3,474 households rent in Covington County
- Spend half or more of their income 20%
- Spend 30% or more, but less than half 30%
- Spend less than 30% 50%
Compared with the state and the country
- Covington 50%
- Alabama 49%
- United States 51%
Low-income apartments
Low-income apartments in Covington County
HUD lists 12 properties with homes for low-income households in Covington County: tax-credit apartments (LIHTC), HUD-assisted buildings and public housing. They run from the most low-income homes to the fewest.
- with tax credits (LIHTC)
- 4
- HUD-assisted
- 6
- public housing
- 2
724 homes in all; 720 of them low-income, according to HUD.
- Williams RD Apts Public housing 76B Lakeview Dr, Opp 36467 170 low-income homes · Run by Ha Opp · Average payment: $266 a month · Average wait: 6 months · (334) 493-9741
- Westhaven and Pineview HUD-assisted 145 Murphree Dr, Andalusia 36420 120 low-income homes · For families · (334) 222-5871
- Hummingbird Landing Tax credit (LIHTC) 751 Moore Rd, Andalusia 36420 56 low-income homes · 1 bd: 8 · 2 bd: 48 · In service since 2016
- Foxwood Village HUD-assisted 101C Foxwood Dr, Andalusia 36421 50 low-income homes · For families · (334) 222-8771
- Covington Park Tax credit (LIHTC) 2205 US Highway 84 W, Opp 36467 49 low-income homes · In service since 2019 · For families
- Saddle Ridge Apts II Tax credit (LIHTC) 440 Bridle Ridge Ln, Andalusia 36420 48 low-income homes · 2 bd: 40 · 3 bd: 8 · In service since 2007 · For people with disabilities, families
- Saddle Ridge Apts I Tax credit (LIHTC) 100 Saddle Ridge Dr, Andalusia 36420 45 low-income homes · 1 bd: 14 · 2 bd: 31 · In service since 2003 · For older adults, people with disabilities
- Southern Oaks/Hilltop Terrace HUD-assisted 116 Southern Oaks Drive, Florala 36442 45 homes, 44 low-income · For older adults · (251) 858-4656
- Florala Homes HUD-assisted 612 Dennis Gordon Dr, Florala 36442 42 low-income homes · For older adults · (334) 858-7112
- Westlawn HGTS/Northside Public housing 22333 6th Ave, Florala 36442 42 low-income homes · Run by Housing Authority of the City of Florala · Average payment: $353 a month · Average wait: 5 months · Homes at several sites · (334) 858-6421
- Oak Hill Apartments HUD-assisted 407 Brantley St, Opp 36467 37 homes, 36 low-income · For older adults · (334) 764-6001
- Andalusia/Enterprise Group Home HUD-assisted 209 Oak St, Andalusia 36420 20 homes, 18 low-income · For people with disabilities · (334) 666-4431
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 Covington County
The Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) pays part of your rent on a home you choose. Your public housing agency runs it. 3 agencies serve in Covington County. 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 | $26,000 | $41,550 |
| 2 people | $21,640 | $29,700 | $47,500 |
| 3 people | $27,320 | $33,400 | $53,450 |
| 4 people | $33,000 | $37,100 | $59,350 |
| 5 people | $38,680 | $40,100 | $64,100 |
| 6 people | $43,050 | $43,050 | $68,850 |
| 7 people | $46,050 | $46,050 | $73,600 |
| 8 people | $49,000 | $49,000 | $78,350 |
Area median income: $73,900. HUD income limits by family size, Fiscal year 2026. Area: Covington County, AL. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2026
Possible payment standard
- Studio $643 – $785
- 1 bedroom $647 – $791
- 2 bedrooms $829 – $1,013
- 3 bedrooms $1,063 – $1,299
- 4 bedrooms $1,385 – $1,693
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
- Ha Opp Public housing and Section 8 vouchers · 105 vouchers · 170 public housing units (334) 493-9741 Ha Opp: beverly@opphousingauthority.com
- Housing Authority of the City of Florala Public housing · 42 public housing units (334) 858-6421 Housing Authority of the City of Florala: floralahousing@gmail.com
- Ha Andalusia Public housing (334) 222-5871 Ha Andalusia: andypha@outlook.com
Housing agencies in Alabama Source: HUD, Retrieved November 6, 2026
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 Covington County
HUD lists no counseling agencies near in Covington 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 Covington 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 Covington County?
According to HUD (Fiscal year 2027): Studio: $714; 1 bedroom: $719; 2 bedrooms: $921; 3 bedrooms: $1,181; 4 bedrooms: $1,539. It covers rent plus basic utilities, except the phone.
How much do you need to earn to rent in Covington 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 Covington County?
Generally, families with very low income: no more than 50% of the area median income. For 4 people, HUD's limit here is $37,100 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 Covington 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 Covington County?
For 2 bedrooms they run from $920 in 36028 to $990 in 36483. 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 Covington County?
HUD lists 12 properties with homes for low-income households in Covington County: tax-credit apartments (LIHTC), HUD-assisted buildings and public housing. 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 Covington County?
HUD counts rent as a burden when it reaches 30% of income or more. In Covington County, 50% of renter households are in that position; in Alabama, 49%, and nationwide, 51% (Average 2020–2024, Census).