Renting · Section 8
Data from November 2026
Renting in Okaloosa County, Florida
Okaloosa County has a HUD fair market rent of $1,908 a month for 2 bedrooms (Fiscal year 2027). Renter households here pay a typical rent of $1,612 a month (Average 2020–2024). Paying the fair market rent without going over 30% of income takes $36.69 an hour, full time.
Four numbers to start with
- Fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
- $1,908
- a month, HUD, Fiscal year 2027
- 3% less than in Florida
- Typical rent
- $1,612
- a month, Census, Average 2020–2024
- 3% less than in Florida
- Wage needed
- $36.69
- an hour, 2 bedrooms
- Or $76,320 a year, to spend no more than 30% of income on rent.
- Rent-burdened households
- 55%
- spend 30% or more of income on rent
- 9% less than in Florida
Only here
Renting in Okaloosa County: what sets it apart
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
-
Among the neighboring counties, Holmes County has the lowest typical rent ($844), 48% below the $1,612 in Okaloosa County.
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 Okaloosa 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 Okaloosa County was $1,957 a month in September 2026: 3.8% 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 | $1,421 | $27.33 | $56,840 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,706 | $32.81 | $68,240 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,908 | $36.69 | $76,320 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,616 | $50.31 | $104,640 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,189 | $61.33 | $127,560 |
HUD area: Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL 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 17 ZIP codes in Okaloosa County (Fiscal year 2027). Type yours to see it.
For 2 bedrooms they run from $1,610 in 32531 to $2,530 in 32542. 7 ZIP codes are above the county's fair market rent ($1,908).
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)
| 32531 | Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL | $1,230 | $1,430 | $1,610 | $2,210 | $2,690 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 32531 | Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL | $1,230 | $1,430 | $1,610 | $2,210 | $2,690 |
| 32536 | Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL | $1,310 | $1,570 | $1,760 | $2,410 | $2,940 |
| 32539 | Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL | $1,240 | $1,490 | $1,660 | $2,280 | $2,780 |
| 32539 | Walton County, FL | $1,240 | $1,490 | $1,660 | $2,280 | $2,780 |
| 32541 | Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL | $1,840 | $2,210 | $2,470 | $3,390 | $4,130 |
| 32542 | Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL | $1,880 | $2,260 | $2,530 | $3,470 | $4,230 |
| 32544 | Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL | $1,820 | $2,190 | $2,450 | $3,360 | $4,100 |
| 32547 | Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL | $1,380 | $1,650 | $1,850 | $2,540 | $3,090 |
| 32548 | Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL | $1,420 | $1,710 | $1,910 | $2,620 | $3,190 |
| 32567 | Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL | $1,230 | $1,430 | $1,610 | $2,210 | $2,690 |
| 32567 | Walton County, FL | $1,230 | $1,430 | $1,610 | $2,210 | $2,690 |
| 32569 | Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL | $1,400 | $1,680 | $1,880 | $2,580 | $3,140 |
| 32578 | Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL | $1,680 | $2,020 | $2,260 | $3,100 | $3,770 |
| 32578 | Walton County, FL | $1,680 | $2,020 | $2,260 | $3,100 | $3,770 |
| 32579 | Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL | $1,510 | $1,810 | $2,030 | $2,780 | $3,390 |
| 32580 | Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL | $1,240 | $1,490 | $1,670 | $2,290 | $2,790 |
- 32531 · Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL $1,610$2,210
- 32531 · Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL $1,610$2,210
- 32536 · Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL $1,760$2,410
- 32539 · Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL $1,660$2,280
- 32539 · Walton County, FL $1,660$2,280
- 32541 · Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL $2,470$3,390
- 32542 · Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL $2,530$3,470
- 32544 · Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL $2,450$3,360
- 32547 · Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL $1,850$2,540
- 32548 · Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL $1,910$2,620
- 32567 · Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL $1,610$2,210
- 32567 · Walton County, FL $1,610$2,210
- 32569 · Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL $1,880$2,580
- 32578 · Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL $2,260$3,100
- 32578 · Walton County, FL $2,260$3,100
- 32579 · Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL $2,030$2,780
- 32580 · Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL $1,670$2,290
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 Okaloosa County, 55% 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.
55%
of renter households spend 30% or more of their income on rent.
26,994 households rent in Okaloosa County
- Spend half or more of their income 21%
- Spend 30% or more, but less than half 34%
- Spend less than 30% 45%
Compared with the state and the country
- Okaloosa 55%
- Florida 60%
- United States 51%
Low-income apartments
Low-income apartments in Okaloosa County
HUD lists 9 properties with homes for low-income households in Okaloosa 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)
- 4
- HUD-assisted
- 2
- public housing
- 3
1,142 homes in all; 1,137 of them low-income, according to HUD.
- Sunset, Carver, Whispering Oaks Public housing 310 Virginia Ct, Crestview 32536 273 low-income homes · Run by Crestview Housing Authority · Average payment: $483 a month · Average wait: 17 months · Homes at several sites · (850) 682-2413
- Heather Glenn Tax credit (LIHTC) 1600 Hunt Club St, Ft Walton Beach 32547 168 homes, 165 low-income · 1 bd: 40 · 2 bd: 72 · 3 bd: 32 · 4 bd: 24 · In service since 2004 · For families
- Addison Place (crestview) Tax credit (LIHTC) 111 Addison Pl, Crestview 32536 160 homes, 159 low-income · 1 bd: 32 · 2 bd: 80 · 3 bd: 48 · In service since 2005 · For families
- Westminster Manors I and II HUD-assisted 45 Windham Ave SE, Fort Walton Beach 32548 148 low-income homes · For older adults · (850) 244-7162
- Partin Heights Public housing 200A Camellia Pl, Niceville 32578 111 low-income homes · Run by Niceville Housing Authority · Average payment: $602 a month · Average wait: 19 months · Homes at several sites · (850) 678-7816
- Katie Manor Tax credit (LIHTC) 639 Brookmeade Dr, Crestview 32539 102 low-income homes · 1 bd: 51 · 2 bd: 51 · In service since 2016 · For older adults, families
- Charlie Hill Terrace Public housing 62 Ed Brown St SW, Fort Walton Beach 32548 100 homes, 99 low-income · Run by Fort Walton Beach Housing Authority · Average payment: $637 a month · Average wait: 6 months · (850) 243-3224
- Choctaw Village HUD-assisted 859 Gibson Rd, Fort Walton Beach 32547 48 low-income homes · For families · (850) 862-4200
- Brookmeade Villas Tax credit (LIHTC) 104 Noble Cir, Crestview 32539 32 low-income homes · 1 bd: 26 · 2 bd: 6 · In service since 1995 · For families
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 Okaloosa 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 Okaloosa 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)
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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
-
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 | $22,400 | $37,350 | $59,750 |
| 2 people | $25,600 | $42,700 | $68,300 |
| 3 people | $28,800 | $48,050 | $76,850 |
| 4 people | $33,000 | $53,350 | $85,350 |
| 5 people | $38,680 | $57,650 | $92,200 |
| 6 people | $44,360 | $61,900 | $99,050 |
| 7 people | $50,040 | $66,200 | $105,850 |
| 8 people | $55,720 | $70,450 | $112,700 |
Area median income: $106,700. HUD income limits by family size, Fiscal year 2026. Area: Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL HUD Metro FMR Area. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2026
Possible payment standard
- Studio $1,279 – $1,563
- 1 bedroom $1,535 – $1,877
- 2 bedrooms $1,717 – $2,099
- 3 bedrooms $2,354 – $2,878
- 4 bedrooms $2,870 – $3,508
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
- Fort Walton Beach Housing Authority Public housing and Section 8 vouchers · 849 vouchers · 99 public housing units (850) 243-3224 Fort Walton Beach Housing Authority: fwbha@fwbha.org
- Crestview Housing Authority Public housing and Section 8 vouchers · 222 vouchers · 273 public housing units (850) 682-2413 Crestview Housing Authority: cwilliams@chafl.com
- Niceville Housing Authority Public housing · 111 public housing units (850) 678-7816 Niceville Housing Authority: director@nicevillehousing.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 Okaloosa County
These are the nearest HUD-approved agencies. They counsel for free or at low cost.
-
Community Enterprise Investments, Incorporated
302 North Barcelona St, Pensacola · 40 miles away
- Mortgage delinquency workshops
- Budget and financial counseling
- and 10 more
-
University of Florida/Florida Cooperative Extension - Holmes County Cooperative Extension Service
1169 E Highway 90, Bonifay · 56 miles away
- Budget and financial counseling
- Budget and credit workshops
- and 7 more
Rental assistance programs
The ones that serve in Okaloosa County or the whole state, with what each page says about being open.
-
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 Okaloosa 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
$3,816
What you need before you get the keys.
What adds up
- First month
- $1,908
- Security deposit
- $1,908
- Total
- $3,816
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 Okaloosa County?
According to HUD (Fiscal year 2027): Studio: $1,421; 1 bedroom: $1,706; 2 bedrooms: $1,908; 3 bedrooms: $2,616; 4 bedrooms: $3,189. It covers rent plus basic utilities, except the phone.
How much do you need to earn to rent in Okaloosa County?
Paying the 2-bedroom fair market rent ($1,908) without spending more than 30% of income takes $36.69 an hour full time, or $76,320 a year.
Who qualifies for Section 8 in Okaloosa County?
Generally, families with very low income: no more than 50% of the area median income. For 4 people, HUD's limit here is $53,350 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 Okaloosa 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 $1,717 and $2,099 a month. Your agency publishes its figure.
Does the fair market rent change by ZIP code in Okaloosa County?
For 2 bedrooms they run from $1,610 in 32531 to $2,530 in 32542. 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 Okaloosa County?
HUD lists 9 properties with homes for low-income households in Okaloosa 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 Okaloosa County?
HUD counts rent as a burden when it reaches 30% of income or more. In Okaloosa County, 55% of renter households are in that position; in Florida, 60%, and nationwide, 51% (Average 2020–2024, Census).