Renting · Section 8
Data from November 2026
Renting in Franklin County, Arkansas
Franklin County has a HUD fair market rent of $909 a month for 2 bedrooms (Fiscal year 2027). Renter households here pay a typical rent of $719 a month (Average 2020–2024). Paying the fair market rent without going over 30% of income takes $17.48 an hour, full time.
Four numbers to start with
- Fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
- $909
- a month, HUD, Fiscal year 2027
- 14% less than in Arkansas
- Typical rent
- $719
- a month, Census, Average 2020–2024
- 24% less than in Arkansas
- Wage needed
- $17.48
- an hour, 2 bedrooms
- Or $36,360 a year, to spend no more than 30% of income on rent.
- Rent-burdened households
- 45%
- spend 30% or more of income on rent
- About the same as in Arkansas
Only here
Renting in Franklin County: what sets it apart
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
-
Franklin County has the lowest typical rent in its area: $719, less than any of its 6 neighboring counties; next is Johnson County ($728).
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19% of households in Franklin County have no internet at home, against 10% in Arkansas.
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 Franklin 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 | $690 | $13.27 | $27,600 |
| 1 bedroom | $695 | $13.37 | $27,800 |
| 2 bedrooms | $909 | $17.48 | $36,360 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,140 | $21.92 | $45,600 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,519 | $29.21 | $60,760 |
HUD area: Franklin County, AR. 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 14 ZIP codes in Franklin County (Fiscal year 2027). Type yours to see it.
For 2 bedrooms they run from $910 in 72821 to $940 in 72930. 14 ZIP codes are above the county's fair market rent ($909).
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)
| 72821 | Franklin County, AR | $690 | $690 | $910 | $1,140 | $1,490 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 72821 | Johnson County, AR | $690 | $690 | $910 | $1,140 | $1,490 |
| 72928 | Franklin County, AR | $690 | $730 | $910 | $1,140 | $1,520 |
| 72928 | Logan County, AR | $690 | $730 | $910 | $1,140 | $1,520 |
| 72930 | Fort Smith, AR-OK | $710 | $720 | $940 | $1,220 | $1,570 |
| 72930 | Franklin County, AR | $710 | $720 | $940 | $1,220 | $1,570 |
| 72933 | Fort Smith, AR-OK | $690 | $730 | $920 | $1,170 | $1,530 |
| 72933 | Franklin County, AR | $690 | $730 | $920 | $1,170 | $1,530 |
| 72933 | Logan County, AR | $690 | $730 | $920 | $1,170 | $1,530 |
| 72947 | Fort Smith, AR-OK | $690 | $700 | $920 | $1,210 | $1,520 |
| 72947 | Franklin County, AR | $690 | $700 | $920 | $1,210 | $1,520 |
| 72949 | Franklin County, AR | $700 | $700 | $920 | $1,150 | $1,540 |
| 72949 | Johnson County, AR | $700 | $700 | $920 | $1,150 | $1,540 |
| 72949 | Logan County, AR | $700 | $700 | $920 | $1,150 | $1,540 |
- 72821 · Franklin County, AR $910$1,140
- 72821 · Johnson County, AR $910$1,140
- 72928 · Franklin County, AR $910$1,140
- 72928 · Logan County, AR $910$1,140
- 72930 · Fort Smith, AR-OK $940$1,220
- 72930 · Franklin County, AR $940$1,220
- 72933 · Fort Smith, AR-OK $920$1,170
- 72933 · Franklin County, AR $920$1,170
- 72933 · Logan County, AR $920$1,170
- 72947 · Fort Smith, AR-OK $920$1,210
- 72947 · Franklin County, AR $920$1,210
- 72949 · Franklin County, AR $920$1,150
- 72949 · Johnson County, AR $920$1,150
- 72949 · Logan County, AR $920$1,150
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 Franklin County, 45% 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.
45%
of renter households spend 30% or more of their income on rent.
1,554 households rent in Franklin County
- Spend half or more of their income 20%
- Spend 30% or more, but less than half 24%
- Spend less than 30% 55%
Compared with the state and the country
- Franklin 45%
- Arkansas 45%
- United States 51%
Low-income apartments
Low-income apartments in Franklin County
HUD lists 5 properties with homes for low-income households in Franklin County: tax-credit apartments (LIHTC) and public housing. They run from the most low-income homes to the fewest.
- with tax credits (LIHTC)
- 4
- public housing
- 1
183 homes in all; 182 of them low-income, according to HUD.
- Savannah Park of Charleston I & II Tax credit (LIHTC) 401 and 701 N Vine, Charleston 72933 52 low-income homes · 1 bd: 44 · 2 bd: 8 · In service since 2017
- Garden Walk on 2nd Tax credit (LIHTC) 812 N 2nd St, Ozark 72949 45 homes, 44 low-income · 1 bd: 14 · 2 bd: 30 · In service since 2015
- Ozark Public housing 310 N 6th St, Ozark 72949 40 low-income homes · Run by Housing Authority of the City of Ozark · Average payment: $344 a month · Average wait: 4 months · (479) 474-6901
- Garden Walk of Ozark Fka Hillview Tax credit (LIHTC) 1951 W Commercial St, Ozark 72949 24 low-income homes · Studio: 1 · 2 bd: 9 · 3 bd: 10 · 4 bd: 4 · In service since 2001
- Savannah Park of Altus Fka Sunnyfield Apartme Tax credit (LIHTC) 1222 Carbon Plant Rd, Altus 72821 22 low-income homes · 1 bd: 18 · 2 bd: 4 · In service since 1994
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 Franklin 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 Franklin 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 | $15,960 | $26,400 | $42,200 |
| 2 people | $21,640 | $30,100 | $48,200 |
| 3 people | $27,320 | $33,900 | $54,250 |
| 4 people | $33,000 | $37,650 | $60,250 |
| 5 people | $38,680 | $40,700 | $65,100 |
| 6 people | $43,700 | $43,700 | $69,900 |
| 7 people | $46,700 | $46,700 | $74,750 |
| 8 people | $49,700 | $49,700 | $79,550 |
Area median income: $75,300. HUD income limits by family size, Fiscal year 2026. Area: Franklin County, AR. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2026
Possible payment standard
- Studio $621 – $759
- 1 bedroom $626 – $765
- 2 bedrooms $818 – $1,000
- 3 bedrooms $1,026 – $1,254
- 4 bedrooms $1,367 – $1,671
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
- Franklin County Public Housing Agency Section 8 vouchers · 109 vouchers (479) 968-5001 Franklin County Public Housing Agency: twood@uhdc.net
- Housing Authority of the City of Ozark Public housing · 40 public housing units (479) 474-6901 Housing Authority of the City of Ozark: daynac@vanburenhousing.org
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 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 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 Franklin County
These are the nearest HUD-approved agencies. They counsel for free or at low cost.
-
Crawford Sebastian Community Development Council
1617 S Zero St, Fort Smith · 32 miles away · Spanish
- Mortgage delinquency and default
- Fair housing pre-purchase workshops
- and 4 more
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Universal Housing Development Corporation
301 E 3rd St, Russellville · 46 miles away
- Mortgage delinquency and default
- Budget and financial counseling
- and 10 more
Tool
How much cash do you need to move in?
It starts with the 2-bedroom fair market rent in Franklin 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
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
$1,818
What you need before you get the keys.
What adds up
- First month
- $909
- Security deposit
- $909
- Total
- $1,818
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 Franklin County?
According to HUD (Fiscal year 2027): Studio: $690; 1 bedroom: $695; 2 bedrooms: $909; 3 bedrooms: $1,140; 4 bedrooms: $1,519. It covers rent plus basic utilities, except the phone.
How much do you need to earn to rent in Franklin County?
Paying the 2-bedroom fair market rent ($909) without spending more than 30% of income takes $17.48 an hour full time, or $36,360 a year.
Who qualifies for Section 8 in Franklin County?
Generally, families with very low income: no more than 50% of the area median income. For 4 people, HUD's limit here is $37,650 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 Franklin 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 $818 and $1,000 a month. Your agency publishes its figure.
Does the fair market rent change by ZIP code in Franklin County?
For 2 bedrooms they run from $910 in 72821 to $940 in 72930. 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 Franklin County?
HUD lists 5 properties with homes for low-income households in Franklin County: tax-credit apartments (LIHTC) 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 Franklin County?
HUD counts rent as a burden when it reaches 30% of income or more. In Franklin County, 45% of renter households are in that position; in Arkansas, 45%, and nationwide, 51% (Average 2020–2024, Census).