Renting · Section 8
Data from November 2026
Renting in Monroe County, Florida
Monroe County has a HUD fair market rent of $2,254 a month for 2 bedrooms (Fiscal year 2027). Renter households here pay a typical rent of $1,999 a month (Average 2020–2024). Paying the fair market rent without going over 30% of income takes $43.35 an hour, full time.
Four numbers to start with
- Fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
- $2,254
- a month, HUD, Fiscal year 2027
- 15% more than in Florida
- Typical rent
- $1,999
- a month, Census, Average 2020–2024
- 20% more than in Florida
- Wage needed
- $43.35
- an hour, 2 bedrooms
- Or $90,160 a year, to spend no more than 30% of income on rent.
- Rent-burdened households
- 64%
- spend 30% or more of income on rent
- 7% more than in Florida
Only here
Renting in Monroe County: what sets it apart
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
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Monroe County has the highest typical rent of the 67 counties in Florida: $1,999.
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Monroe County has the highest typical rent in its area: $1,999, more than any of its 6 neighboring counties; next is Palm Beach County ($1,916).
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Monroe County has the 4th largest share of rent-burdened renters of the 66 counties in Florida with this figure (64%).
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At $87,738, Monroe County ranks 6th among the 67 counties in Florida for the highest typical household income.
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 Monroe 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 Monroe County was $3,671 a month in September 2026: about the same as 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 | $1,554 | $29.88 | $62,160 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,990 | $38.27 | $79,600 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,254 | $43.35 | $90,160 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,973 | $57.17 | $118,920 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,984 | $57.38 | $119,360 |
HUD area: Monroe County, FL. 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 9 ZIP codes in Monroe County (Fiscal year 2027). Type yours to see it.
For 2 bedrooms they run from $2,260 in 33001 to $2,620 in 33042. 9 ZIP codes are above the county's fair market rent ($2,254).
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)
| 33001 | $1,560 | $1,990 | $2,260 | $2,980 | $2,990 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 33036 | $1,560 | $1,990 | $2,260 | $2,980 | $2,990 |
| 33037 | $1,560 | $1,990 | $2,260 | $2,980 | $2,990 |
| 33040 | $1,740 | $2,230 | $2,520 | $3,330 | $3,340 |
| 33042 | $1,810 | $2,320 | $2,620 | $3,460 | $3,470 |
| 33043 | $1,560 | $2,000 | $2,260 | $2,980 | $2,990 |
| 33050 | $1,560 | $1,990 | $2,260 | $2,980 | $2,990 |
| 33051 | $1,560 | $1,990 | $2,260 | $2,980 | $2,990 |
| 33070 | $1,560 | $1,990 | $2,260 | $2,980 | $2,990 |
- 33001 $2,260$2,980
- 33036 $2,260$2,980
- 33037 $2,260$2,980
- 33040 $2,520$3,330
- 33042 $2,620$3,460
- 33043 $2,260$2,980
- 33050 $2,260$2,980
- 33051 $2,260$2,980
- 33070 $2,260$2,980
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 Monroe County, 64% of renter households are in that position; in Florida, 60%, 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.
64%
of renter households spend 30% or more of their income on rent.
11,769 households rent in Monroe County
- Spend half or more of their income 34%
- Spend 30% or more, but less than half 30%
- Spend less than 30% 36%
Compared with the state and the country
- Monroe 64%
- Florida 60%
- United States 51%
Low-income apartments
Low-income apartments in Monroe County
HUD lists 26 properties with homes for low-income households in Monroe 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)
- 19
- HUD-assisted
- 5
- public housing
- 3
1,922 homes in all; 1,740 of them low-income, according to HUD.
- Lang Milian Apartments Public housing 1200 1st St, Key West 33040 390 homes, 389 low-income · Run by Housing Authority of the City of Key West · Average payment: $870 a month · Average wait: 20 months · (305) 296-5621
- Senior Citizen Plaza Public housing 1400 Kennedy Dr, Key West 33040 200 homes, 199 low-income · Run by Housing Authority of the City of Key West · Average payment: $518 a month · Average wait: 24 months · (305) 296-5621
- Cayo del Mar Tax credit (LIHTC) · HUD-assisted 5501 3rd Ave, Key West 33040 130 low-income homes · 1 bd: 8 · 2 bd: 89 · 3 bd: 33 · In service since 2005 · For families · (305) 294-6366
- Eastwind Apartments HUD-assisted 240 Sombrero Rd, Marathon 33050 130 low-income homes · For families · (305) 743-5765
- Quarry II Tax credit (LIHTC) 10 Betty Rose Dr, Key West 33040 112 low-income homes · 1 bd: 28 · 2 bd: 72 · 3 bd: 12 · In service since 2019
- Meridian West Tax credit (LIHTC) 6701 Shrimp Rd, Key West 33040 102 low-income homes · 1 bd: 17 · 2 bd: 68 · 3 bd: 17 · In service since 2004
- Mariner's Cove - Key West Tax credit (LIHTC) 3314 Northside Dr, Key West 33040 78 low-income homes · 1 bd: 36 · 2 bd: 33 · 3 bd: 9 · In service since 1996
- Tradewinds Hammocks Tax credit (LIHTC) 100 Hammocks Trl, Key Largo 33037 66 low-income homes · 1 bd: 10 · 2 bd: 36 · 3 bd: 20 · In service since 2002 · For families
- Sea Grape I Tax credit (LIHTC) 7159 Overseas Hwy, Marathon 33050 56 low-income homes · 2 bd: 36 · 3 bd: 20 · In service since 2009 · For families
- Key Largo Public housing 78 Harry Davis Cir, Key Largo 33037 50 low-income homes · Run by Monroe County Housing Authority · Average payment: $853 a month · Average wait: 22 months · (305) 296-5621
- Poinciana Royale Tax credit (LIHTC) 1341 McCarthy Ln, Key West 33040 50 low-income homes · 1 bd: 50 · In service since 2011 · For families
- Flagler Village Tax credit (LIHTC) 5300 Macdonald Ave, Key West 33040 49 low-income homes · 1 bd: 1 · 2 bd: 26 · 3 bd: 22 · In service since 2011 · For families
- Banyan Grove Tax credit (LIHTC) 5455 Macdonald Ave, Stock Island 33040 48 low-income homes · In service since 2013 · For families
- Marty's Place Tax credit (LIHTC) 1909 Venetia St, Key West 33040 47 low-income homes · 1 bd: 47 · In service since 2020 · For families
- Caya Place Tax credit (LIHTC) 751 73rd Street Ocean, Marathon 33050 42 low-income homes · 1 bd: 6 · 2 bd: 22 · 3 bd: 14 · In service since 2017
- Paradise Point Senior Housing Tax credit (LIHTC) 4 N Blackwater Ln, Key Largo 33037 42 low-income homes · 1 bd: 28 · 2 bd: 14 · In service since 2016 · For families
- Blue Water Workforce Housing Tax credit (LIHTC) 100 Burton Dr, Tavernier 33070 36 low-income homes · 1 bd: 2 · 2 bd: 24 · 4 bd: 10 · In service since 2011 · For families
- Wet-Net Villas Tax credit (LIHTC) 81101 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada 33036 36 low-income homes · In service since 2014 · For families
- Sea Grape II Tax credit (LIHTC) 7159 Overseas Hwy, Marathon 33050 28 low-income homes · 1 bd: 10 · 2 bd: 12 · 3 bd: 6 · In service since 2010 · For families
- Douglass Square Tax credit (LIHTC) 800 Emma St, Key West 33040 50 homes, 17 low-income
- Atlantic Pines (big Pine Key) Tax credit (LIHTC) 400 County Rd, Big Pine Key 33043 14 low-income homes · 2 bd: 14 · In service since 1993 · For families
- Harvey House HUD-assisted 1215 Catherine St, Key West 33040 11 low-income homes · For people with disabilities · (305) 296-6196
- McCARTHY/ROGERS RESIDENCE HUD-assisted 1213 William St, Key West 33040 5 low-income homes · For people with disabilities · (305) 296-6196
- Seebol Place HUD-assisted 711 Catherine St, Key West 33040 3 low-income homes · For people with disabilities
- Quarry Tax credit (LIHTC) Riviera Drive and Puerta Drive, Key West 33040 96 homes · 1 bd: 24 · 2 bd: 64 · 3 bd: 8 · In service since 2019 · For families
- 73 Ocean Tax credit (LIHTC) 311 73rd Street Ocean, Marathon 33050 51 homes · 1 bd: 8 · 2 bd: 27 · 3 bd: 16 · In service since 2018 · For families
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 Monroe 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 Monroe 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 | $30,100 | $50,200 | $80,300 |
| 2 people | $34,400 | $57,300 | $91,700 |
| 3 people | $38,700 | $64,500 | $103,200 |
| 4 people | $43,000 | $71,650 | $114,650 |
| 5 people | $46,450 | $77,350 | $123,850 |
| 6 people | $49,900 | $83,100 | $133,000 |
| 7 people | $53,350 | $88,850 | $142,200 |
| 8 people | $56,800 | $94,600 | $151,350 |
Area median income: $129,600. HUD income limits by family size, Fiscal year 2026. Area: Monroe County, FL. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2026
Possible payment standard
- Studio $1,399 – $1,709
- 1 bedroom $1,791 – $2,189
- 2 bedrooms $2,029 – $2,479
- 3 bedrooms $2,676 – $3,270
- 4 bedrooms $2,686 – $3,282
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 Key West Public housing and Section 8 vouchers · 259 vouchers · 588 public housing units (305) 296-5621 Housing Authority of the City of Key West: sterlingr@kwha.org
- Monroe County Housing Authority Public housing and Section 8 vouchers · 254 vouchers · 50 public housing units (305) 296-5621 Monroe County Housing Authority: sterlingr@kwha.org
Housing agencies in Florida Source: HUD, Retrieved November 6, 2026
Your rights as a tenant in Florida
What Florida 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.
- When must they return my deposit?
- 15 days
- Fla. Stat. §83.49(3)(a)
- If I fall behind on rent, what notice must I get?
- 3 days
- Fla. Stat. §83.56(3)
- How much notice ends a month-to-month rental?
- 30 days
- Fla. Stat. §83.57(3)
- Only a court order can remove youFla. Stat. §83.67(2)
- Protection from retaliationFla. Stat. §83.64
Help
Where to get help with rent in Monroe County
These are the nearest HUD-approved agencies. They counsel for free or at low cost.
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Centro Campesino, Farmworkers Center, Inc
35801 SW 186th Ave, Florida City · 35 miles away · Spanish
- Mortgage delinquency and default
- Mortgage delinquency workshops
- and 8 more
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Cuban American National Council, Inc. - Miami
1223 SW 4th St, Miami · 52 miles away · Spanish
- Mortgage delinquency and default
- Mortgage delinquency workshops
- and 7 more
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Neighborhood Housing Services of South Florida
300 NW 12th Ave, Miami · 52 miles away · Spanish
Also serves in Creole.
- Budget and financial counseling
- Budget and credit workshops
- and 6 more
Rental assistance programs
The ones that serve in Monroe County or the whole state, with what each page says about being open.
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Florida Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
Run by FloridaCommerce
Help from the federal LIHEAP program in Florida that pays the electric or gas company directly, including past-due bills and reconnection
Tool
How much cash do you need to move in?
It starts with the 2-bedroom fair market rent in Monroe 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 Florida, the average home bill was $156 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
$4,508
What you need before you get the keys.
What adds up
- First month
- $2,254
- Security deposit
- $2,254
- Total
- $4,508
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 Monroe County?
According to HUD (Fiscal year 2027): Studio: $1,554; 1 bedroom: $1,990; 2 bedrooms: $2,254; 3 bedrooms: $2,973; 4 bedrooms: $2,984. It covers rent plus basic utilities, except the phone.
How much do you need to earn to rent in Monroe County?
Paying the 2-bedroom fair market rent ($2,254) without spending more than 30% of income takes $43.35 an hour full time, or $90,160 a year.
Who qualifies for Section 8 in Monroe County?
Generally, families with very low income: no more than 50% of the area median income. For 4 people, HUD's limit here is $71,650 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 Monroe 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 $2,029 and $2,479 a month. Your agency publishes its figure.
Does the fair market rent change by ZIP code in Monroe County?
For 2 bedrooms they run from $2,260 in 33001 to $2,620 in 33042. 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 Monroe County?
HUD lists 26 properties with homes for low-income households in Monroe 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 Monroe County?
HUD counts rent as a burden when it reaches 30% of income or more. In Monroe County, 64% of renter households are in that position; in Florida, 60%, and nationwide, 51% (Average 2020–2024, Census).