Renting · Section 8
Data from November 2026
Renting in St. Francis County, Arkansas
St. Francis County has a HUD fair market rent of $944 a month for 2 bedrooms (Fiscal year 2027). Renter households here pay a typical rent of $779 a month (Average 2020–2024). Paying the fair market rent without going over 30% of income takes $18.15 an hour, full time.
Four numbers to start with
- Fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
- $944
- a month, HUD, Fiscal year 2027
- 11% less than in Arkansas
- Typical rent
- $779
- a month, Census, Average 2020–2024
- 18% less than in Arkansas
- Wage needed
- $18.15
- an hour, 2 bedrooms
- Or $37,760 a year, to spend no more than 30% of income on rent.
- Rent-burdened households
- 55%
- spend 30% or more of income on rent
- 23% more than in Arkansas
Only here
Renting in St. Francis County: what sets it apart
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
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St. Francis County has the 2nd lowest homeownership rate of the 75 counties in Arkansas (55%).
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Among the neighboring counties, Woodruff County has the lowest typical rent ($613), 21% below the $779 in St. Francis County.
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At 55%, St. Francis County ranks 7th among the 70 counties in Arkansas with this figure for the largest share of rent-burdened renters.
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 St. Francis 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 | $671 | $12.90 | $26,840 |
| 1 bedroom | $722 | $13.88 | $28,880 |
| 2 bedrooms | $944 | $18.15 | $37,760 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,149 | $22.10 | $45,960 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,282 | $24.65 | $51,280 |
HUD area: St. Francis 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 16 ZIP codes in St. Francis County (Fiscal year 2027). Type yours to see it.
For 2 bedrooms they run from $910 in 72326 to $1,090 in 72392. 11 ZIP codes are above the county's fair market rent ($944).
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)
| 72322 | St. Francis County, AR | $650 | $690 | $920 | $1,130 | $1,260 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 72326 | Cross County, AR | $650 | $690 | $910 | $1,120 | $1,330 |
| 72326 | St. Francis County, AR | $650 | $690 | $910 | $1,120 | $1,330 |
| 72335 | Lee County, AR | $680 | $730 | $960 | $1,170 | $1,300 |
| 72335 | St. Francis County, AR | $680 | $730 | $960 | $1,170 | $1,300 |
| 72340 | St. Francis County, AR | $680 | $730 | $960 | $1,180 | $1,320 |
| 72346 | Cross County, AR | $810 | $880 | $1,000 | $1,290 | $1,490 |
| 72346 | Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $810 | $880 | $1,000 | $1,290 | $1,490 |
| 72346 | St. Francis County, AR | $810 | $880 | $1,000 | $1,290 | $1,490 |
| 72359 | St. Francis County, AR | $680 | $730 | $960 | $1,170 | $1,300 |
| 72372 | Lee County, AR | $650 | $690 | $910 | $1,120 | $1,260 |
| 72372 | St. Francis County, AR | $650 | $690 | $910 | $1,120 | $1,260 |
| 72392 | Monroe County, AR | $770 | $830 | $1,090 | $1,320 | $1,480 |
| 72392 | St. Francis County, AR | $770 | $830 | $1,090 | $1,320 | $1,480 |
| 72392 | Woodruff County, AR | $770 | $830 | $1,090 | $1,320 | $1,480 |
| 72394 | St. Francis County, AR | $680 | $740 | $950 | $1,210 | $1,380 |
- 72322 · St. Francis County, AR $920$1,130
- 72326 · Cross County, AR $910$1,120
- 72326 · St. Francis County, AR $910$1,120
- 72335 · Lee County, AR $960$1,170
- 72335 · St. Francis County, AR $960$1,170
- 72340 · St. Francis County, AR $960$1,180
- 72346 · Cross County, AR $1,000$1,290
- 72346 · Memphis, TN-MS-AR $1,000$1,290
- 72346 · St. Francis County, AR $1,000$1,290
- 72359 · St. Francis County, AR $960$1,170
- 72372 · Lee County, AR $910$1,120
- 72372 · St. Francis County, AR $910$1,120
- 72392 · Monroe County, AR $1,090$1,320
- 72392 · St. Francis County, AR $1,090$1,320
- 72392 · Woodruff County, AR $1,090$1,320
- 72394 · St. Francis County, AR $950$1,210
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 St. Francis County, 55% 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.
55%
of renter households spend 30% or more of their income on rent.
3,464 households rent in St. Francis County
- Spend half or more of their income 33%
- Spend 30% or more, but less than half 22%
- Spend less than 30% 45%
Compared with the state and the country
- St. Francis 55%
- Arkansas 45%
- United States 51%
Low-income apartments
Low-income apartments in St. Francis County
HUD lists 28 properties with homes for low-income households in St. Francis 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)
- 17
- HUD-assisted
- 8
- public housing
- 3
1,226 homes in all; 1,190 of them low-income, according to HUD.
- Dawson Homes Public housing 119 Turner Cir, Forrest City 72335 194 low-income homes · Run by Housing Authority of the City of Forrest City · Average payment: $354 a month · Average wait: 7 months · (870) 633-7929
- Linden Heights Public housing 11 Grobmyer Cir, Forrest City 72335 165 homes, 156 low-income · Run by Housing Authority of the City of Forrest City · Average payment: $255 a month · Average wait: 9 months · (870) 633-7929
- Indian Hills Apartments HUD-assisted 1731 Indian Hills Rd, Forrest City 72335 70 low-income homes · For families · (870) 633-1373
- Chapel Ridge of Forrest City Phase I Tax credit (LIHTC) 1085 Holiday Dr, Forrest City 72335 64 low-income homes · Studio: 15 · 1 bd: 8 · 2 bd: 26 · 3 bd: 15 · In service since 2001 · For families
- Delta Pointe Apartments Tax credit (LIHTC) 1421 N Division St, Forrest City 72335 58 homes, 57 low-income · Studio: 8 · 1 bd: 18 · 2 bd: 32
- Whitaker Manor Apartments (HAP/Rural Hsg) HUD-assisted PO Box 125, Madison 72359 50 low-income homes · For families · (870) 633-7302
- Whitaker Manor Apartments Aka Whitaker Terrac Tax credit (LIHTC) 119 Hadley DR, Madison 72359 50 homes, 49 low-income · 1 bd: 12 · 2 bd: 20 · 3 bd: 12 · 4 bd: 6 · In service since 2010
- Meadows at Forrest City Tax credit (LIHTC) 1495 Dawson Rd, Forrest City 72335 48 low-income homes · 1 bd: 1 · 2 bd: 35 · 3 bd: 12 · In service since 2016
- Cottonwood Townhomes Tax credit (LIHTC) 1035 Dawson Rd, Forrest City 72335 45 homes, 44 low-income · 1 bd: 11 · 2 bd: 33 · In service since 2005
- Shady Oaks Apartments Tax credit (LIHTC) 130 W Cook St, Forrest City 72335 44 homes, 43 low-income · 1 bd: 42 · 2 bd: 1 · In service since 2011
- Hughes Public housing 112 Tucker Rd, Hughes 72348 40 low-income homes · Run by Housing Authority of the City of Hughes · Average payment: $298 a month · Average wait: 95 months · (870) 339-2896
- Maywood Apartments HUD-assisted 101 Maywood Cir, Hughes 72348 40 low-income homes · For families · (870) 339-2019
- Stonebrook Park Tax credit (LIHTC) 2204 E Stonebrook Cir, Forrest City 72335 41 homes, 32 low-income · 3 bd: 30 · 4 bd: 2 · In service since 2012
- Stonebrook Park of Forrest City Tax credit (LIHTC) 2204 E Stonebrook Cir, Forrest City 72335 41 homes, 32 low-income · 3 bd: 30 · 4 bd: 2 · In service since 2012
- Hughes Manor II Tax credit (LIHTC) 311 Wilson St, Hughes 72348 33 homes, 32 low-income · 1 bd: 16 · 2 bd: 16 · In service since 2012
- Hughes Manor Apartments Tax credit (LIHTC) 311 Wilson St, Hughes 72348 32 low-income homes · 1 bd: 16 · 2 bd: 16 · In service since 2012
- Hughes Meadows Tax credit (LIHTC) 111 Maple St, Hughes 72348 25 homes, 24 low-income · 2 bd: 13 · 3 bd: 11 · In service since 2005
- Hughes Towers Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 807 Blackwood St, Hughes 72348 21 homes, 20 low-income · Studio: 4 · 2 bd: 16 · In service since 1999 · For families
- Hughes Towers II Tax credit (LIHTC) 1003 Blackwood St, Hughes 72348 21 homes, 20 low-income · 2 bd: 15 · 3 bd: 5 · In service since 2016
- Hughes Villas II Tax credit (LIHTC) 321 Bush St, Hughes 72348 21 homes, 20 low-income · 2 bd: 20 · In service since 2016
- Christopher Homes of Palestine HUD-assisted 21 Christopher Pl, Palestine 72372 20 low-income homes · For older adults · (870) 581-2023
- Hughes Villas Apartments Tax credit (LIHTC) 321 Bush St, Hughes 72348 20 low-income homes · 2 bd: 20 · In service since 2016
- River View Village Tax credit (LIHTC) 449 Old Military Rd E, Colt 72326 20 low-income homes · 1 bd: 20 · In service since 2012
- Alcott Manor Tax credit (LIHTC) 7923 Highway 70 W, Palestine 72372 18 low-income homes · 1 bd: 6 · 2 bd: 8 · 3 bd: 4 · In service since 2003
- Eastgate Apartments HUD-assisted 302 Main St, Hughes 72348 16 low-income homes · For older adults
- Wheatley Manor Apartments HUD-assisted 151 Highway 78 N, Wheatley 72392 12 low-income homes · For older adults · (870) 457-8100
- Forrest City Independent Living Center HUD-assisted 2105 Cedar St, Forrest City 72335 9 low-income homes · For people with disabilities · (870) 494-3898
- Forrest City Group Home HUD-assisted 1455 Beth St, Forrest City 72335 8 low-income homes · For people with disabilities · (870) 494-3254
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 St. Francis 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 St. Francis 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 | $24,900 | $39,850 |
| 2 people | $21,640 | $28,450 | $45,550 |
| 3 people | $27,320 | $32,000 | $51,250 |
| 4 people | $33,000 | $35,550 | $56,900 |
| 5 people | $38,400 | $38,400 | $61,500 |
| 6 people | $41,250 | $41,250 | $66,050 |
| 7 people | $44,100 | $44,100 | $70,600 |
| 8 people | $46,950 | $46,950 | $75,150 |
Area median income: $55,600. HUD income limits by family size, Fiscal year 2026. Area: St. Francis County, AR. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2026
Possible payment standard
- Studio $604 – $738
- 1 bedroom $650 – $794
- 2 bedrooms $850 – $1,038
- 3 bedrooms $1,034 – $1,264
- 4 bedrooms $1,154 – $1,410
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
- St. Francis County Housing Authority Section 8 vouchers · 592 vouchers (870) 633-2781 St. Francis County Housing Authority: tljones@stfranciscohousing.org
- Housing Authority of the City of Forrest City Public housing · 350 public housing units (870) 633-7929 Housing Authority of the City of Forrest City: sphillips@fcha.me
- Housing Authority of the City of Hughes Public housing · 40 public housing units (870) 339-2896 Housing Authority of the City of Hughes: hughesar061@att.net
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 St. Francis County
These are the nearest HUD-approved agencies. They counsel for free or at low cost.
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Southern Bancorp Community Partners
425 Plaza, West Helena · 34 miles away
Also serves in other languages.
- Mortgage delinquency and default
- Budget and financial counseling
- and 6 more
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Southern Bancorp Community Partners
326 Highway 463 N, Trumann · 47 miles away
- 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 St. Francis 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
$1,888
What you need before you get the keys.
What adds up
- First month
- $944
- Security deposit
- $944
- Total
- $1,888
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 St. Francis County?
According to HUD (Fiscal year 2027): Studio: $671; 1 bedroom: $722; 2 bedrooms: $944; 3 bedrooms: $1,149; 4 bedrooms: $1,282. It covers rent plus basic utilities, except the phone.
How much do you need to earn to rent in St. Francis County?
Paying the 2-bedroom fair market rent ($944) without spending more than 30% of income takes $18.15 an hour full time, or $37,760 a year.
Who qualifies for Section 8 in St. Francis County?
Generally, families with very low income: no more than 50% of the area median income. For 4 people, HUD's limit here is $35,550 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 St. Francis 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 $850 and $1,038 a month. Your agency publishes its figure.
Does the fair market rent change by ZIP code in St. Francis County?
For 2 bedrooms they run from $910 in 72326 to $1,090 in 72392. 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 St. Francis County?
HUD lists 28 properties with homes for low-income households in St. Francis 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 St. Francis County?
HUD counts rent as a burden when it reaches 30% of income or more. In St. Francis County, 55% of renter households are in that position; in Arkansas, 45%, and nationwide, 51% (Average 2020–2024, Census).