Español

Este sitio también está en español. Leer en español

Renting · Section 8

Data from November 2026

Renting in Craighead County, Arkansas

Craighead County has a HUD fair market rent of $1,079 a month for 2 bedrooms (Fiscal year 2027). Renter households here pay a typical rent of $958 a month (Average 2020–2024). Paying the fair market rent without going over 30% of income takes $20.75 an hour, full time.

Figure your move-in cash Section 8 here
WhatsApp
Fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$1,079
a month, HUD, Fiscal year 2027
2% more than in Arkansas
Typical rent
$958
a month, Census, Average 2020–2024
1% more than in Arkansas
Wage needed
$20.75
an hour, 2 bedrooms
Or $43,160 a year, to spend no more than 30% of income on rent.
Rent-burdened households
51%
spend 30% or more of income on rent
14% more than in Arkansas

Source: Fair Market Rents (HUD) Fiscal year 2027 Fair Market Rents (HUD) Source: American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates Average 2020–2024 American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates

Only here

Renting in Craighead County: what sets it apart

What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.

  1. Craighead County has the highest typical rent in its area: $958, more than any of its 6 neighboring counties; next is Greene County ($904).

  2. Craighead County has the 8th highest typical rent of the 75 counties in Arkansas ($958).

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 Craighead 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 Craighead County was $1,246 a month in September 2026: 2.9% more than 12 months ago. It is an index of market listings, not a HUD limit. Zillow data

Fair market rent and wage needed To pay the fair market rent without spending more than 30% of income, working full time (40 hours a week).
Size Fair rent per month Hourly wage Income needed per year
Studio $889 $17.10 $35,560
1 bedroom $895 $17.21 $35,800
2 bedrooms $1,079 $20.75 $43,160
3 bedrooms $1,418 $27.27 $56,720
4 bedrooms $1,424 $27.38 $56,960

HUD area: Jonesboro, AR HUD Metro FMR Area. 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 22 ZIP codes in Craighead County (Fiscal year 2027). Type yours to see it.

For 2 bedrooms they run from $940 in 72414 to $1,210 in 72405. 6 ZIP codes are above the county's fair market rent ($1,079).

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)

Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Fiscal year 2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD)

Rent burden

How many households spend too much

HUD counts rent as a burden when it reaches 30% of income or more. In Craighead County, 51% of renter households are in that position; in Arkansas, 45%, 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.

51%

of renter households spend 30% or more of their income on rent.

17,725 households rent in Craighead County

  • Spend half or more of their income 27%
  • Spend 30% or more, but less than half 24%
  • Spend less than 30% 49%

Compared with the state and the country

  • Craighead 51%
  • Arkansas 45%
  • United States 51%

Low-income apartments

Low-income apartments in Craighead County

HUD lists 35 properties with homes for low-income households in Craighead 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)
15
HUD-assisted
17
public housing
4

1,543 homes in all; 1,490 of them low-income, according to HUD.

  • Cayman Villa/Woodland Courts Public housing 500 E Cherry Ave, Jonesboro 72401 155 homes, 151 low-income · Run by Jonesboro Urban Renewal HA · Average payment: $322 a month · Average wait: 14 months · (870) 935-9800
  • Jonesboro Sunset Gardens Tax credit (LIHTC) 2501 Ecumenical Dr, Jonesboro 72401 70 homes, 69 low-income · Studio: 16 · 1 bd: 54 · In service since 2013
  • Jonesboro Sunset Gardens HUD-assisted 2517 Ecumenical Dr, Jonesboro 72401 70 homes, 69 low-income · For older adults · (870) 935-9800
  • Walker Courts South HUD-assisted 1129 Walker Pl, Jonesboro 72401 64 low-income homes · For families · (870) 935-0832
  • Walker Courts South Apartmetns Tax credit (LIHTC) 1129 Walker Pl, Jonesboro 72401 64 low-income homes · 1 bd: 64 · In service since 2016 · For families
  • Walker Courts South Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 1129 Walker Pl, Jonesboro 72401 64 low-income homes · 1 bd: 64 · In service since 2016
  • Aspen Gardens HUD-assisted 1011 Rains St, Jonesboro 72401 50 low-income homes · For older adults · (870) 972-1898
  • Caraway Public housing 104 Kelly Dr, Caraway 72419 50 low-income homes · Run by Housing Authority of the City of Caraway · Average payment: $396 a month · Average wait: 2 months · (870) 482-3736
  • Walker Courts North Apartmetns Tax credit (LIHTC) · HUD-assisted 1133 Walker Pl, Jonesboro 72401 49 low-income homes · 1 bd: 8 · 2 bd: 24 · 3 bd: 16 · 4 bd: 1 · In service since 2016 · For families · (870) 935-0832
  • Walker Courts North Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 1129 Walker Pl, Jonesboro 72401 49 low-income homes · 1 bd: 8 · 2 bd: 24 · 3 bd: 16 · 4 bd: 1 · In service since 2016
  • Garden Manor Apartments Tax credit (LIHTC) 399 Garden Manor Dr, Jonesboro 72401 48 low-income homes · 1 bd: 12 · 2 bd: 24 · 3 bd: 12 · In service since 2011
  • Garden Manor Estates HUD-assisted 399 Garden Manor Dr, Jonesboro 72401 48 low-income homes · For families · (870) 932-6404
  • Monette Public housing 401 S Williams St, Monette 72447 48 low-income homes · Run by Housing Authority of the City of Monette · Average payment: $398 a month · Average wait: 7 months · (870) 486-5487
  • North Acres Apartments Tax credit (LIHTC) 399 Garden Manor Dr, Jonesboro 72401 48 low-income homes · 1 bd: 12 · 2 bd: 23 · 3 bd: 13 · In service since 2011
  • North Acres Apartments HUD-assisted 400 Garden Manor Dr, Jonesboro 72401 48 low-income homes · For families · (870) 932-6404
  • Plainview Terrace Apartments HUD-assisted 509 Lisa Ln, Bono 72416 46 low-income homes · For families · (870) 935-5600
  • Emerald Village at Jonesboro Tax credit (LIHTC) 1688 N Patrick St, Jonesboro 72405 45 homes, 44 low-income · 2 bd: 44 · In service since 2017
  • Briarwood Estates at Jonesboro Tax credit (LIHTC) 1699 N Patrick St, Jonesboro 72405 41 homes, 40 low-income · 3 bd: 40 · In service since 2017
  • Lake City Public housing 331 Faye Cv, Lake City 72437 40 low-income homes · Run by Housing Authority of the City of Lake City · Average payment: $458 a month · Average wait: 16 months · (870) 237-8815
  • Ridge at Jonesboro Tax credit (LIHTC) 1001 N Patrick St, Jonesboro 72405 48 homes, 38 low-income · Studio: 1 · 1 bd: 9 · 2 bd: 15 · 3 bd: 24 · In service since 2005
  • Ridge at Jonesboro Phase II Tax credit (LIHTC) 1001 N Patrick St, Jonesboro 72405 48 homes, 38 low-income · 1 bd: 6 · 2 bd: 18 · 3 bd: 24 · In service since 2007
  • Villas of Jonesboro Tax credit (LIHTC) 979 N Patrick St, Jonesboro 72405 48 homes, 38 low-income · 1 bd: 15 · 2 bd: 33 · In service since 2007
  • Wesley at Jonesboro HUD-assisted 300 Creath Ave, Jonesboro 72401 37 homes, 36 low-income · For older adults · (870) 932-2462
  • Ridge Estates of Jonesboro Tax credit (LIHTC) 1100-1300 Blocks of N Patrict, Jonesboro 72401 46 homes, 35 low-income · 3 bd: 32 · 4 bd: 14 · In service since 2017
  • Sunset Estates of Jonesboro Tax credit (LIHTC) 1101 Mays Ln, Jonesboro 72405 32 homes, 31 low-income · 3 bd: 17 · 4 bd: 14 · In service since 2010
  • Craighead Place Tax credit (LIHTC) 1435 Belt St, Jonesboro 72405 31 homes, 30 low-income · 3 bd: 31 · In service since 2013
  • Pecan Valley Apartments HUD-assisted 106 E College St, Bono 72416 24 low-income homes · For older adults · (870) 910-3535
  • Benedictine Manor I HUD-assisted 312 S Bridge St, Jonesboro 72401 20 low-income homes · For older adults · (870) 336-4300
  • Benedictine Manor II HUD-assisted 312 S Bridge St, Jonesboro 72401 20 low-income homes · For older adults · (870) 336-4300
  • Christopher Homes of Monette HUD-assisted 300 W Gann, Monette 72447 20 low-income homes · For older adults · (870) 486-2748
  • Mature Living of Bay HUD-assisted 500 Dorton St, Bay 72411 20 low-income homes · For older adults · (870) 781-3613
  • East Oak Place HUD-assisted 4816 Samantha Ave, Jonesboro 72401 20 homes, 19 low-income · For people with disabilities · (501) 280-0037
  • Tanglewood Apartments HUD-assisted 102 E College St, Bono 72416 12 low-income homes · For people with disabilities · (870) 368-5200
  • Oak Place Apartments HUD-assisted 1708 E Johnson Ave, Jonesboro 72401 10 low-income homes · For people with disabilities · (870) 934-8555
  • Terrace Homes HUD-assisted 1903 Word Cv, Jonesboro 72401 10 low-income homes · For people with disabilities · (501) 280-9120

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 Craighead County

The Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) pays part of your rent on a home you choose. Your public housing agency runs it. 4 agencies serve in Craighead County. Here is what the rules say:

The rules, with their source

  1. 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. HUD

  2. 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). 24 CFR §5.603, §982.201(b)

  3. Each year, at least 75% of the families an agency admits from its list must have extremely low income (the 30% column). 24 CFR §982.201(b)(2)

  4. 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. 24 CFR §982.1(a)(3)

  5. When you move in, if the rent is above the payment standard, your share cannot go over 40% of your adjusted monthly income. 24 CFR §982.508

  6. Each agency sets a payment standard for each size. Without asking HUD, it can go from 90% to 110% of the fair market rent. 24 CFR §982.503(b), (c)

Mixed-status families: how assistance is figured
HUD income limits Yearly income of the whole family, before taxes.
People Extremely low (30%) Very low (50%) Low
$15,960 $26,500 $42,350
$21,640 $30,250 $48,400
$27,320 $34,050 $54,450
$33,000 $37,800 $60,500
$38,680 $40,850 $65,350
$43,850 $43,850 $70,200
$46,900 $46,900 $75,050
$49,900 $49,900 $79,900

Area median income: $75,600. HUD income limits by family size, Fiscal year 2026. Area: Jonesboro, AR HUD Metro FMR Area. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2026

How much can you earn? Check your case

Possible payment standard

  • Studio $800 – $978
  • 1 bedroom $806 – $985
  • 2 bedrooms $971 – $1,187
  • 3 bedrooms $1,276 – $1,560
  • 4 bedrooms $1,282 – $1,566

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 agencies in Arkansas Source: HUD, Retrieved November 6, 2026

Your rights as a tenant in Arkansas

What Arkansas law says about deposits, notices and eviction, with the citation for each rule.

See your rights, rule by rule

Compare 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 2 months of rent
Ark. Code §18-16-304
When must they return my deposit?
60 days
Ark. Code §18-16-305
If I fall behind on rent, what notice must I get?
3 days
Ark. Code §18-60-304

Help

Where to get help with rent in Craighead County

This is the nearest HUD-approved agency. They counsel for free or at low cost.

  • Mississippi County, Arkansas Economic Opportunity Commission, Inc.

    1400 North Division Street, Blytheville · 41 miles away · Spanish

    Also serves in American Sign Language (ASL).

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Budget and financial counseling
    • and 8 more
    870-776-1054-1032
See every agency in Arkansas Find legal aid (lsc.gov)

Tool

How much cash do you need to move in?

It starts with the 2-bedroom fair market rent in Craighead 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 Arkansas, the average home bill was $129 a month in 2024 (EIA). See electricity and gas costs

Open the full tool

Your move

We use the place's fair market rent and the state's deposit rule.

Adjust advanced details
Deposit and rent in advance
The deposit, in

Let's do the math

Cash to move in

$2,158

What you need before you get the keys.

What adds up

First month
$1,079
Security deposit
$1,079
Total
$2,158

The deposit cap

Pick your state to see whether its law caps the deposit.

Compare each state's rules →

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.
Guide: the security depositGuide: avoiding rental scamsFamily budgetHow much rent can I afford?

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.

Guides

Before you sign

Frequently asked questions

What is the fair market rent in Craighead County?

According to HUD (Fiscal year 2027): Studio: $889; 1 bedroom: $895; 2 bedrooms: $1,079; 3 bedrooms: $1,418; 4 bedrooms: $1,424. It covers rent plus basic utilities, except the phone.

How much do you need to earn to rent in Craighead County?

Paying the 2-bedroom fair market rent ($1,079) without spending more than 30% of income takes $20.75 an hour full time, or $43,160 a year.

Who qualifies for Section 8 in Craighead 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 Craighead 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 $971 and $1,187 a month. Your agency publishes its figure.

Does the fair market rent change by ZIP code in Craighead County?

For 2 bedrooms they run from $940 in 72414 to $1,210 in 72405. 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 Craighead County?

HUD lists 35 properties with homes for low-income households in Craighead 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 Craighead County?

HUD counts rent as a burden when it reaches 30% of income or more. In Craighead County, 51% of renter households are in that position; in Arkansas, 45%, and nationwide, 51% (Average 2020–2024, Census).