Renting · Section 8
Data from November 2026
Renting in Lawrence County, Alabama
Lawrence County has a HUD fair market rent of $1,023 a month for 2 bedrooms (Fiscal year 2027). Renter households here pay a typical rent of $753 a month (Average 2020–2024). Paying the fair market rent without going over 30% of income takes $19.67 an hour, full time.
Four numbers to start with
- Fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
- $1,023
- a month, HUD, Fiscal year 2027
- 13% less than in Alabama
- Typical rent
- $753
- a month, Census, Average 2020–2024
- 25% less than in Alabama
- Wage needed
- $19.67
- an hour, 2 bedrooms
- Or $40,920 a year, to spend no more than 30% of income on rent.
- Rent-burdened households
- 38%
- spend 30% or more of income on rent
- 22% less than in Alabama
Only here
Renting in Lawrence County: what sets it apart
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
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Lawrence County has the 4th highest homeownership rate of the 67 counties in Alabama (82%).
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18% of households in Lawrence 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 Lawrence 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 | $830 | $15.96 | $33,200 |
| 1 bedroom | $835 | $16.06 | $33,400 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,023 | $19.67 | $40,920 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,315 | $25.29 | $52,600 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,686 | $32.42 | $67,440 |
HUD area: Decatur, AL MSA. 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 10 ZIP codes in Lawrence County (Fiscal year 2027). Type yours to see it.
For 2 bedrooms they run from $920 in 35618 to $1,240 in 35619. 2 ZIP codes are above the county's fair market rent ($1,023).
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)
| 35618 | Decatur, AL | $750 | $750 | $920 | $1,180 | $1,520 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35619 | Cullman County, AL | $1,010 | $1,010 | $1,240 | $1,590 | $2,040 |
| 35619 | Decatur, AL | $1,010 | $1,010 | $1,240 | $1,590 | $2,040 |
| 35643 | Decatur, AL | $750 | $750 | $920 | $1,180 | $1,520 |
| 35650 | Decatur, AL | $750 | $750 | $920 | $1,180 | $1,520 |
| 35651 | Decatur, AL | $730 | $790 | $920 | $1,210 | $1,400 |
| 35651 | Franklin County, AL | $730 | $790 | $920 | $1,210 | $1,400 |
| 35672 | Decatur, AL | $750 | $750 | $920 | $1,180 | $1,520 |
| 35672 | Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL | $750 | $750 | $920 | $1,180 | $1,520 |
| 35673 | Decatur, AL | $750 | $760 | $930 | $1,200 | $1,530 |
- 35618 · Decatur, AL $920$1,180
- 35619 · Cullman County, AL $1,240$1,590
- 35619 · Decatur, AL $1,240$1,590
- 35643 · Decatur, AL $920$1,180
- 35650 · Decatur, AL $920$1,180
- 35651 · Decatur, AL $920$1,210
- 35651 · Franklin County, AL $920$1,210
- 35672 · Decatur, AL $920$1,180
- 35672 · Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL $920$1,180
- 35673 · Decatur, AL $930$1,200
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 Lawrence County, 38% 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.
38%
of renter households spend 30% or more of their income on rent.
2,498 households rent in Lawrence County
- Spend half or more of their income 17%
- Spend 30% or more, but less than half 21%
- Spend less than 30% 62%
Compared with the state and the country
- Lawrence 38%
- Alabama 49%
- United States 51%
Low-income apartments
Low-income apartments in Lawrence County
HUD lists 11 properties with homes for low-income households in Lawrence 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)
- 5
- HUD-assisted
- 4
- public housing
- 2
506 homes in all; 505 of them low-income, according to HUD.
- Rha LCM Public housing 1470 County Road 176, Moulton 35650 156 low-income homes · Run by Regional HA of Lawrence, Cullman & Morgan Counties · Average payment: $390 a month · Average wait: 30 months · (256) 773-4835
- Mcwhorter Apts. Public housing 674 Main St, Moulton 35650 58 low-income homes · Run by Housing Authority of the City of Moulton, AL · Average payment: $397 a month · Average wait: 7 months · (256) 974-1196
- Town Creek Apartments HUD-assisted 1 Auburn St, Town Creek 35672 56 low-income homes · For families · (256) 685-3360
- Moulton Manor HUD-assisted 111 Tommie Dr, Moulton 35650 45 low-income homes · For older adults · (256) 974-1196
- Creekview Manor Apartments HUD-assisted 1962 Al Highway 20, Town Creek 35672 40 low-income homes · For families · (256) 685-0435
- Fieldstone Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 3050 Byler Rd, Moulton 35650 36 low-income homes · 1 bd: 4 · 2 bd: 16 · 3 bd: 16 · In service since 2008 · For people with disabilities, families
- Alexander Terrace Apts II Tax credit (LIHTC) 1155 Pickens St, Moulton 35650 32 low-income homes · 2 bd: 24 · 3 bd: 8 · In service since 2004 · For people with disabilities, families
- Alexander Terrace Apts I Tax credit (LIHTC) 1155 Pickens St, Moulton 35650 24 low-income homes · 1 bd: 8 · 2 bd: 8 · 3 bd: 8 · In service since 1997 · For people with disabilities, families
- North Courtland Gardens Tax credit (LIHTC) 1171 Davis St, North Courtland 35618 24 low-income homes · 1 bd: 6 · 2 bd: 18 · In service since 1993 · For older adults, people with disabilities
- Rosewood Manor Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 1111 Pickens St, Moulton 35650 24 low-income homes · 1 bd: 6 · 2 bd: 18 · In service since 2000 · For older adults, people with disabilities
- The Village HUD-assisted 251 Hospital St, Moulton 35650 11 homes, 10 low-income · For people with disabilities · (256) 974-1443
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 Lawrence County
The Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) pays part of your rent on a home you choose. Your public housing agency runs it. 1 agency serves in Lawrence County. Here is what the rules say:
The rules, with their source
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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
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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
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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 | $18,650 | $31,050 | $49,650 |
| 2 people | $21,640 | $35,450 | $56,750 |
| 3 people | $27,320 | $39,900 | $63,850 |
| 4 people | $33,000 | $44,300 | $70,900 |
| 5 people | $38,680 | $47,850 | $76,600 |
| 6 people | $44,360 | $51,400 | $82,250 |
| 7 people | $50,040 | $54,950 | $87,950 |
| 8 people | $55,720 | $58,500 | $93,600 |
Area median income: $88,600. HUD income limits by family size, Fiscal year 2026. Area: Decatur, AL MSA. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2026
Possible payment standard
- Studio $747 – $913
- 1 bedroom $752 – $919
- 2 bedrooms $921 – $1,125
- 3 bedrooms $1,184 – $1,447
- 4 bedrooms $1,517 – $1,855
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
- Housing Authority of the City of Moulton, AL Public housing · 58 public housing units (256) 974-1196 Housing Authority of the City of Moulton, AL: lori.moultonhousing@gmail.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 Lawrence County
This HUD-approved agency has an office in Lawrence County. They counsel for free or at low cost.
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Community Action Partnership of North Alabama - Moulton Branch
12529 AL Hwy 157, Moulton · Spanish
- Rental counseling
Tool
How much cash do you need to move in?
It starts with the 2-bedroom fair market rent in Lawrence 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
$2,046
What you need before you get the keys.
What adds up
- First month
- $1,023
- Security deposit
- $1,023
- Total
- $2,046
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 Lawrence County?
According to HUD (Fiscal year 2027): Studio: $830; 1 bedroom: $835; 2 bedrooms: $1,023; 3 bedrooms: $1,315; 4 bedrooms: $1,686. It covers rent plus basic utilities, except the phone.
How much do you need to earn to rent in Lawrence County?
Paying the 2-bedroom fair market rent ($1,023) without spending more than 30% of income takes $19.67 an hour full time, or $40,920 a year.
Who qualifies for Section 8 in Lawrence County?
Generally, families with very low income: no more than 50% of the area median income. For 4 people, HUD's limit here is $44,300 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 Lawrence 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 $921 and $1,125 a month. Your agency publishes its figure.
Does the fair market rent change by ZIP code in Lawrence County?
For 2 bedrooms they run from $920 in 35618 to $1,240 in 35619. 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 Lawrence County?
HUD lists 11 properties with homes for low-income households in Lawrence 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 Lawrence County?
HUD counts rent as a burden when it reaches 30% of income or more. In Lawrence County, 38% of renter households are in that position; in Alabama, 49%, and nationwide, 51% (Average 2020–2024, Census).