Renting · Section 8
Data from November 2026
Renting in Marengo County, Alabama
Marengo 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 $716 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
- $716
- a month, Census, Average 2020–2024
- 29% 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
- 54%
- spend 30% or more of income on rent
- 11% more than in Alabama
Only here
Renting in Marengo County: what sets it apart
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
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Among the neighboring counties, Choctaw County has the lowest typical rent ($543), 24% below the $716 in Marengo County.
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18% of households in Marengo 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 Marengo 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 | $812 | $15.62 | $32,480 |
| 1 bedroom | $819 | $15.75 | $32,760 |
| 2 bedrooms | $921 | $17.71 | $36,840 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,219 | $23.44 | $48,760 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,280 | $24.62 | $51,200 |
HUD area: Marengo 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 13 ZIP codes in Marengo County (Fiscal year 2027). Type yours to see it.
For 2 bedrooms they run from $920 in 36732 to $1,220 in 36736. 9 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)
| 36732 | Marengo County, AL | $810 | $820 | $920 | $1,220 | $1,280 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36736 | Marengo County, AL | $1,080 | $1,090 | $1,220 | $1,620 | $1,700 |
| 36738 | Marengo County, AL | $870 | $880 | $1,060 | $1,350 | $1,400 |
| 36738 | Tuscaloosa, AL | $870 | $880 | $1,060 | $1,350 | $1,400 |
| 36742 | Marengo County, AL | $870 | $880 | $1,060 | $1,350 | $1,400 |
| 36742 | Tuscaloosa, AL | $870 | $880 | $1,060 | $1,350 | $1,400 |
| 36748 | Marengo County, AL | $820 | $830 | $930 | $1,230 | $1,290 |
| 36754 | Marengo County, AL | $870 | $910 | $1,010 | $1,350 | $1,430 |
| 36763 | Marengo County, AL | $890 | $900 | $1,010 | $1,340 | $1,410 |
| 36764 | Marengo County, AL | $810 | $820 | $920 | $1,220 | $1,280 |
| 36782 | Marengo County, AL | $920 | $930 | $1,040 | $1,380 | $1,450 |
| 36783 | Marengo County, AL | $810 | $820 | $920 | $1,220 | $1,290 |
| 36783 | Wilcox County, AL | $810 | $820 | $920 | $1,220 | $1,290 |
- 36732 · Marengo County, AL $920$1,220
- 36736 · Marengo County, AL $1,220$1,620
- 36738 · Marengo County, AL $1,060$1,350
- 36738 · Tuscaloosa, AL $1,060$1,350
- 36742 · Marengo County, AL $1,060$1,350
- 36742 · Tuscaloosa, AL $1,060$1,350
- 36748 · Marengo County, AL $930$1,230
- 36754 · Marengo County, AL $1,010$1,350
- 36763 · Marengo County, AL $1,010$1,340
- 36764 · Marengo County, AL $920$1,220
- 36782 · Marengo County, AL $1,040$1,380
- 36783 · Marengo County, AL $920$1,220
- 36783 · Wilcox County, AL $920$1,220
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 Marengo County, 54% 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.
54%
of renter households spend 30% or more of their income on rent.
2,350 households rent in Marengo County
- Spend half or more of their income 22%
- Spend 30% or more, but less than half 32%
- Spend less than 30% 46%
Compared with the state and the country
- Marengo 54%
- Alabama 49%
- United States 51%
Low-income apartments
Low-income apartments in Marengo County
HUD lists 13 properties with homes for low-income households in Marengo 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)
- 7
- HUD-assisted
- 4
- public housing
- 2
625 homes in all; 625 of them low-income, according to HUD.
- Allen Gaston Lane Homes Public housing 404 E Morgan St, Demopolis 36732 180 low-income homes · Run by Housing Authority of the City of Demopolis, AL · Average payment: $343 a month · Average wait: 8 months · (334) 289-1347
- Arbours at Demopolis Apartments HUD-assisted 1403 Highway 43 S, Demopolis 36732 80 low-income homes · For families · (334) 289-5944
- Linden Ha Public housing 201 Lee Ave, Linden 36748 50 low-income homes · Run by Housing Authority of the City of Linden · Average payment: $346 a month · Average wait: 1 month · Homes at several sites · (334) 295-5544
- Quail Meadows Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 955 S Front Ave, Demopolis 36732 40 low-income homes · 1 bd: 16 · 2 bd: 16 · 3 bd: 8 · In service since 2005 · For people with disabilities, families
- Riverside Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 1800 Highway 43 S, Demopolis 36732 40 low-income homes · 1 bd: 32 · 2 bd: 8 · In service since 2007 · For older adults, people with disabilities
- Edgemont Village I Tax credit (LIHTC) 1303 Edgemont Dr, Demopolis 36732 36 low-income homes · 3 bd: 30 · 4 bd: 6 · In service since 2007 · For people with disabilities, families
- Linden Park Apartments HUD-assisted 100 Stough Ln, Linden 36748 36 low-income homes · For people with disabilities · (334) 295-4324
- Martin Luther Homes HUD-assisted 400 N Strawberry Ave, Demopolis 36732 34 low-income homes · For people with disabilities · (334) 289-0154
- Butler Cove Tax credit (LIHTC) 201 Spring Dr, Butler 36904 33 low-income homes · 3 bd: 29 · 4 bd: 4 · In service since 2007 · For people with disabilities, families
- Creekwood Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 601 E Boundary St, Demopolis 36732 32 low-income homes · 1 bd: 4 · 2 bd: 20 · 3 bd: 8 · In service since 1995 · For families
- Edgemont Village II Tax credit (LIHTC) 1407 Village Dr, Demopolis 36732 30 low-income homes · 3 bd: 16 · 4 bd: 14 · In service since 2008 · For people with disabilities, families
- Lakepark Townhouses HUD-assisted 721 N Walnut Ave, Demopolis 36732 20 low-income homes · For families · (334) 289-1825
- Chickasaw Apts II Tax credit (LIHTC) 100 Chickasaw Dr, Linden 36748 14 low-income homes · 1 bd: 14 · In service since 1993 · For older adults
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 Marengo County
The Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) pays part of your rent on a home you choose. Your public housing agency runs it. 2 agencies serve in Marengo 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 | $17,650 | $29,400 | $47,000 |
| 2 people | $21,640 | $33,600 | $53,700 |
| 3 people | $27,320 | $37,800 | $60,400 |
| 4 people | $33,000 | $41,950 | $67,100 |
| 5 people | $38,680 | $45,350 | $72,500 |
| 6 people | $44,360 | $48,700 | $77,850 |
| 7 people | $50,040 | $52,050 | $83,250 |
| 8 people | $55,400 | $55,400 | $88,600 |
Area median income: $83,900. HUD income limits by family size, Fiscal year 2026. Area: Marengo County, AL. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2026
Possible payment standard
- Studio $731 – $893
- 1 bedroom $737 – $901
- 2 bedrooms $829 – $1,013
- 3 bedrooms $1,097 – $1,341
- 4 bedrooms $1,152 – $1,408
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 Demopolis, AL Public housing · 180 public housing units (334) 289-1347 Housing Authority of the City of Demopolis, AL: demhousing@bellsouth.net
- Housing Authority of the City of Linden Public housing · 50 public housing units (334) 295-5544 Housing Authority of the City of Linden: linden_ha@yahoo.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 Marengo County
HUD lists no counseling agencies near in Marengo 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 Marengo 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 Marengo County?
According to HUD (Fiscal year 2027): Studio: $812; 1 bedroom: $819; 2 bedrooms: $921; 3 bedrooms: $1,219; 4 bedrooms: $1,280. It covers rent plus basic utilities, except the phone.
How much do you need to earn to rent in Marengo 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 Marengo County?
Generally, families with very low income: no more than 50% of the area median income. For 4 people, HUD's limit here is $41,950 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 Marengo 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 Marengo County?
For 2 bedrooms they run from $920 in 36732 to $1,220 in 36736. 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 Marengo County?
HUD lists 13 properties with homes for low-income households in Marengo 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 Marengo County?
HUD counts rent as a burden when it reaches 30% of income or more. In Marengo County, 54% of renter households are in that position; in Alabama, 49%, and nationwide, 51% (Average 2020–2024, Census).