Renting · Section 8
Data from November 2026
Renting in Morgan County, Alabama
Morgan 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 $864 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
- $864
- a month, Census, Average 2020–2024
- 14% 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
- 45%
- spend 30% or more of income on rent
- 8% less 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 Morgan 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)
According to Zillow (ZORI), the typical asking rent in Morgan County was $1,108 a month in September 2026: 2.6% more than 12 months ago. It is an index of market listings, not a HUD limit. Zillow data
| 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 12 ZIP codes in Morgan County (Fiscal year 2027). Type yours to see it.
For 2 bedrooms they run from $930 in 35754 to $1,330 in 35775. 7 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)
| 35601 | Decatur, AL | $860 | $860 | $1,060 | $1,360 | $1,750 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35603 | Decatur, AL | $900 | $910 | $1,110 | $1,430 | $1,830 |
| 35621 | Cullman County, AL | $870 | $900 | $1,110 | $1,460 | $1,790 |
| 35621 | Decatur, AL | $870 | $900 | $1,110 | $1,460 | $1,790 |
| 35622 | Cullman County, AL | $840 | $850 | $1,050 | $1,360 | $1,700 |
| 35622 | Decatur, AL | $840 | $850 | $1,050 | $1,360 | $1,700 |
| 35640 | Decatur, AL | $800 | $810 | $990 | $1,270 | $1,630 |
| 35670 | Cullman County, AL | $770 | $780 | $950 | $1,220 | $1,570 |
| 35670 | Decatur, AL | $770 | $780 | $950 | $1,220 | $1,570 |
| 35754 | Decatur, AL | $750 | $760 | $930 | $1,200 | $1,530 |
| 35754 | Marshall County, AL | $750 | $760 | $930 | $1,200 | $1,530 |
| 35775 | Decatur, AL | $1,090 | $1,130 | $1,330 | $1,710 | $2,210 |
- 35601 · Decatur, AL $1,060$1,360
- 35603 · Decatur, AL $1,110$1,430
- 35621 · Cullman County, AL $1,110$1,460
- 35621 · Decatur, AL $1,110$1,460
- 35622 · Cullman County, AL $1,050$1,360
- 35622 · Decatur, AL $1,050$1,360
- 35640 · Decatur, AL $990$1,270
- 35670 · Cullman County, AL $950$1,220
- 35670 · Decatur, AL $950$1,220
- 35754 · Decatur, AL $930$1,200
- 35754 · Marshall County, AL $930$1,200
- 35775 · Decatur, AL $1,330$1,710
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 Morgan County, 45% 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.
45%
of renter households spend 30% or more of their income on rent.
13,396 households rent in Morgan County
- Spend half or more of their income 22%
- Spend 30% or more, but less than half 23%
- Spend less than 30% 55%
Compared with the state and the country
- Morgan 45%
- Alabama 49%
- United States 51%
Low-income apartments
Low-income apartments in Morgan County
HUD lists 26 properties with homes for low-income households in Morgan 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)
- 14
- HUD-assisted
- 9
- public housing
- 4
1,922 homes in all; 1,892 of them low-income, according to HUD.
- East Acres Public housing 1023 19th Ave SE, Decatur 35601 252 low-income homes · Run by Housing Authority of the City of Decatur · Average payment: $327 a month · Average wait: 12 months · (256) 353-4691
- Sterrs Homes Public housing 641 13th Ave NW, Decatur 35601 206 homes, 202 low-income · Run by Housing Authority of the City of Decatur · Average payment: $339 a month · Average wait: 3 months · (256) 353-4691
- Puckett Homes, Pattillo Cir.,roberts CT. Public housing 609 Corsbie St SW, Hartselle 35640 186 low-income homes · Run by Housing Authority of the City of Hartselle · Average payment: $407 a month · Average wait: 4 months · Homes at several sites · (256) 773-5481
- Jordan-Neill Public housing 300 Wilson St NE, Decatur 35601 156 homes, 146 low-income · Run by Housing Authority of the City of Decatur · Average payment: $405 a month · Average wait: 1 month · (256) 353-4691
- Summer Place I Tax credit (LIHTC) 304 Courtney Dr SW, Decatur 35603 136 low-income homes · 1 bd: 24 · 2 bd: 88 · 3 bd: 24 · In service since 1995 · For families
- Presbyterian Towers HUD-assisted 1824 Presbyterian Dr SW, Decatur 35603 102 homes, 101 low-income · For older adults · (256) 350-3323
- Wesley Acres HUD-assisted 700 Cedar Lake Rd SW, Decatur 35603 100 low-income homes · For older adults · (256) 355-8281
- Parkway Place Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) · HUD-assisted 2115 Central Pkwy SW, Decatur 35601 100 homes, 98 low-income · 1 bd: 34 · 2 bd: 40 · 3 bd: 24 · In service since 2007 · For families · (256) 355-4004
- Dogwood Apartments HUD-assisted 224 Tammy St SW, Decatur 35603 60 low-income homes · For families · (256) 350-4846
- River Valley Tax credit (LIHTC) 217 Cedar Lake Rd SW, Decatur 35603 56 low-income homes · 1 bd: 14 · 2 bd: 28 · 3 bd: 14 · In service since 1995 · For people with disabilities, families
- Summer Place II Tax credit (LIHTC) 304 Courtney Dr SW, Decatur 35603 56 low-income homes · 1 bd: 12 · 2 bd: 24 · 3 bd: 20 · In service since 1996 · For families
- Wesley Glen Tax credit (LIHTC) 702 Cedar Lake Rd SW, Decatur 35603 55 low-income homes · 1 bd: 20 · 2 bd: 35 · In service since 1998 · For older adults
- Harbor Square Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 3201 Sumac Rd SW, Decatur 35603 54 low-income homes · 1 bd: 42 · 2 bd: 12 · In service since 1995 · For older adults, people with disabilities
- Harbor Pointe Apts II Tax credit (LIHTC) 2821 Sandlin Rd SW, Decatur 35603 48 low-income homes · 2 bd: 48 · In service since 2010 · For older adults, people with disabilities
- Rivers Edge Apartments Tax credit (LIHTC) 1416 Main St E, Hartselle 35640 48 low-income homes · In service since 2018 · For families
- Woodbridge Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 1040 Mountainview Rd NE, Hartselle 35640 48 low-income homes · 1 bd: 8 · 2 bd: 28 · 3 bd: 12 · In service since 2000 · For families
- Hallmark Crestmoor Tax credit (LIHTC) 1060 Mountainview Rd NE, Hartselle 35640 40 low-income homes · 1 bd: 4 · 2 bd: 20 · 3 bd: 16 · In service since 2007 · For people with disabilities, families
- Harbor Pointe Apts I Tax credit (LIHTC) 2821 Sandlin Rd SW, Decatur 35603 40 low-income homes · 1 bd: 10 · 2 bd: 30 · In service since 2006 · For older adults, people with disabilities
- Lakeview Apartments HUD-assisted 3120 Sumac Rd SW, Decatur 35603 38 low-income homes · For families · (256) 355-5046
- Collier Cove Tax credit (LIHTC) 546 Craft Ln NE, Hartselle 35640 40 homes, 34 low-income · 2 bd: 30 · 3 bd: 10 · In service since 2002 · For people with disabilities, families
- Plantation Garden Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 1317 Sparkman St NW, Hartselle 35640 28 low-income homes · 1 bd: 7 · 2 bd: 21 · In service since 2000 · For older adults, people with disabilities
- Midway Manor Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 708 Midway St NW, Hartselle 35640 28 homes, 23 low-income · 1 bd: 11 · 2 bd: 17 · In service since 2001 · For older adults, people with disabilities
- Wesley Acres Addition HUD-assisted 700 Cedar Lake Rd SW, Decatur 35603 20 low-income homes · For older adults · (256) 355-8281
- Hartselle Group Home HUD-assisted 1557 Highway 31 NW, Hartselle 35640 10 homes, 9 low-income · For people with disabilities · (251) 287-8533
- Ability Plus HUD-assisted 902 Wildwood Rd SW, Decatur 35601 8 low-income homes · For people with disabilities
- Decatur Voa Living Center HUD-assisted 1311 Cedar St SW, Decatur 35601 7 homes, 6 low-income · For people with disabilities · (334) 774-2801
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 Morgan 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 Morgan 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 | $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 Decatur Public housing and Section 8 vouchers · 1,059 vouchers · 600 public housing units (256) 353-4691 Housing Authority of the City of Decatur: taura.denmon@decatur-housing.org
- Housing Authority of the City of Hartselle Public housing · 186 public housing units (256) 773-5481 Housing Authority of the City of Hartselle: mreese0677@bellsouth.net
- Regional HA of Lawrence, Cullman & Morgan Counties Public housing · 156 public housing units (256) 773-4835 Regional HA of Lawrence, Cullman & Morgan Counties: akrob51@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 Morgan County
This HUD-approved agency has an office in Morgan County. They counsel for free or at low cost.
-
Community Action Partnership of North Alabama, Inc.
1909 Central Pkwy SW, Decatur · Spanish
- Mortgage delinquency and default
- Budget and financial counseling
- and 6 more
Tool
How much cash do you need to move in?
It starts with the 2-bedroom fair market rent in Morgan 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 Morgan 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 Morgan 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 Morgan 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 Morgan 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 Morgan County?
For 2 bedrooms they run from $930 in 35754 to $1,330 in 35775. 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 Morgan County?
HUD lists 26 properties with homes for low-income households in Morgan 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 Morgan County?
HUD counts rent as a burden when it reaches 30% of income or more. In Morgan County, 45% of renter households are in that position; in Alabama, 49%, and nationwide, 51% (Average 2020–2024, Census).