Renting · Section 8
Data from November 2026
Renting in Catoosa County, Georgia
Catoosa County has a HUD fair market rent of $1,340 a month for 2 bedrooms (Fiscal year 2027). Renter households here pay a typical rent of $993 a month (Average 2020–2024). Paying the fair market rent without going over 30% of income takes $25.77 an hour, full time.
Four numbers to start with
- Fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
- $1,340
- a month, HUD, Fiscal year 2027
- 12% less than in Georgia
- Typical rent
- $993
- a month, Census, Average 2020–2024
- 29% less than in Georgia
- Wage needed
- $25.77
- an hour, 2 bedrooms
- Or $53,600 a year, to spend no more than 30% of income on rent.
- Rent-burdened households
- 43%
- spend 30% or more of income on rent
- 17% less than in Georgia
Only here
Renting in Catoosa County: what sets it apart
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
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Catoosa County has the highest typical rent in its area: $993, more than any of its 6 neighboring counties; next is Whitfield County ($971).
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 Catoosa 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 Catoosa County was $1,586 a month in September 2026: 4.6% 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 | $1,181 | $22.71 | $47,240 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,231 | $23.67 | $49,240 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,340 | $25.77 | $53,600 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,657 | $31.87 | $66,280 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,761 | $33.87 | $70,440 |
HUD area: Chattanooga, TN-GA MSA. 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 4 ZIP codes in Catoosa County (Fiscal year 2027). Type yours to see it.
For 2 bedrooms they run from $1,180 in 30736 to $1,200 in 30742. No ZIP code is above the county's fair market rent ($1,340).
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)
| 30726 | Chattanooga, TN-GA | $1,050 | $1,090 | $1,190 | $1,470 | $1,560 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30736 | Chattanooga, TN-GA | $1,040 | $1,080 | $1,180 | $1,460 | $1,560 |
| 30736 | Dalton, GA | $1,040 | $1,080 | $1,180 | $1,460 | $1,560 |
| 30742 | Chattanooga, TN-GA | $1,060 | $1,100 | $1,200 | $1,480 | $1,580 |
- 30726 · Chattanooga, TN-GA $1,190$1,470
- 30736 · Chattanooga, TN-GA $1,180$1,460
- 30736 · Dalton, GA $1,180$1,460
- 30742 · Chattanooga, TN-GA $1,200$1,480
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 Catoosa County, 43% of renter households are in that position; in Georgia, 52%, 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.
43%
of renter households spend 30% or more of their income on rent.
6,864 households rent in Catoosa County
- Spend half or more of their income 19%
- Spend 30% or more, but less than half 24%
- Spend less than 30% 57%
Compared with the state and the country
- Catoosa 43%
- Georgia 52%
- United States 51%
Low-income apartments
Low-income apartments in Catoosa County
HUD lists 10 properties with homes for low-income households in Catoosa 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)
- 6
- HUD-assisted
- 3
- public housing
- 2
788 homes in all; 584 of them low-income, according to HUD.
- Battlewood Apartments HUD-assisted 1830A Fant Dr, Fort Oglethorpe 30742 150 homes, 123 low-income · For families
- Catoosa Gardens Apartment HUD-assisted 99 Lilac Ln, Fort Oglethorpe 30742 101 low-income homes · For older adults · (706) 861-3712
- Oglethorpe Ridge Apartments Tax credit (LIHTC) 1252 Cloud Springs Ln, Fort Oglethorpe 30742 97 low-income homes · 1 bd: 5 · 2 bd: 46 · 3 bd: 46 · In service since 1997
- Post Homes Public housing 202 Hays St, Fort Oglethorpe 30742 74 low-income homes · Run by Housing Authority of the City of Fort Oglethorpe · Average payment: $470 a month · Average wait: 55 months · (706) 866-3303
- Bedford Place Tax credit (LIHTC) 325 Boynton Dr, Ringgold 30736 88 homes, 70 low-income · In service since 2004
- Lone Mountain Village Phase I Tax credit (LIHTC) 140 Hailey Dr, Ringgold 30736 56 homes, 44 low-income · 1 bd: 24 · 2 bd: 32 · In service since 2008
- Lone Mountain Village Tax credit (LIHTC) 140 Hailey Dr, Ringgold 30736 56 homes, 42 low-income · In service since 2008
- Marvin Parton Homes Public housing 17 Circle Dr, Ringgold 30736 30 low-income homes · Run by Housing Authority of the City of Ringgold · Average payment: $444 a month · Average wait: 1 month · Homes at several sites · (706) 935-3028
- Lone Mountain Village Phase II Tax credit (LIHTC) · HUD-assisted 85 Darlene Ln, Ringgold 30736 64 homes, 3 low-income · 1 bd: 8 · 2 bd: 56 · In service since 2013 · (706) 965-6438
- Summer Breeze Park Tax credit (LIHTC) 14 Summer Breeze Ln, Ringgold 30736 72 homes · In service since 2016
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 Catoosa 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 Catoosa 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 | $20,450 | $34,100 | $54,550 |
| 2 people | $23,400 | $39,000 | $62,350 |
| 3 people | $27,320 | $43,850 | $70,150 |
| 4 people | $33,000 | $48,700 | $77,900 |
| 5 people | $38,680 | $52,600 | $84,150 |
| 6 people | $44,360 | $56,500 | $90,400 |
| 7 people | $50,040 | $60,400 | $96,600 |
| 8 people | $55,720 | $64,300 | $102,850 |
Area median income: $97,400. HUD income limits by family size, Fiscal year 2026. Area: Chattanooga, TN-GA MSA. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2026
Possible payment standard
- Studio $1,063 – $1,299
- 1 bedroom $1,108 – $1,354
- 2 bedrooms $1,206 – $1,474
- 3 bedrooms $1,491 – $1,823
- 4 bedrooms $1,585 – $1,937
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 Fort Oglethorpe Public housing · 74 public housing units (706) 866-3303 Housing Authority of the City of Fort Oglethorpe: long9260@bellsouth.net
- Housing Authority of the City of Ringgold Public housing · 30 public housing units (706) 935-3028 Housing Authority of the City of Ringgold: rhousing@catt.com
Housing agencies in Georgia Source: HUD, Retrieved November 6, 2026
Your rights as a tenant in Georgia
What Georgia 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
- O.C.G.A. §44-7-30.1
- When must they return my deposit?
- 30 days
- O.C.G.A. §44-7-34
- If I fall behind on rent, what notice must I get?
- 3 business days
- O.C.G.A. §44-7-50(a)
- How much notice ends a month-to-month rental?
- 60 days
- O.C.G.A. §44-7-7
- Only a court order can remove youO.C.G.A. §44-7-14.1; §44-7-50 et seq.
- Protection from retaliationO.C.G.A. §44-7-24
Help
Where to get help with rent in Catoosa County
This is the nearest HUD-approved agency. They counsel for free or at low cost.
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Dalton-Whitfield Community Dev. Corp.
710 S Thornton Ave, Dalton · 13 miles away · Spanish
- Mortgage delinquency and default
- Budget and financial counseling
- and 6 more
Rental assistance programs
The ones that serve in Catoosa County or the whole state, with what each page says about being open.
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Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
Run by Georgia Department of Human Services, Division of Family & Children Services (DFCS)
Help from the federal LIHEAP program in Georgia to pay the home energy bill, through your county's community action agency
Tool
How much cash do you need to move in?
It starts with the 2-bedroom fair market rent in Catoosa 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 Georgia, the average home bill was $151 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
$2,680
What you need before you get the keys.
What adds up
- First month
- $1,340
- Security deposit
- $1,340
- Total
- $2,680
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 Catoosa County?
According to HUD (Fiscal year 2027): Studio: $1,181; 1 bedroom: $1,231; 2 bedrooms: $1,340; 3 bedrooms: $1,657; 4 bedrooms: $1,761. It covers rent plus basic utilities, except the phone.
How much do you need to earn to rent in Catoosa County?
Paying the 2-bedroom fair market rent ($1,340) without spending more than 30% of income takes $25.77 an hour full time, or $53,600 a year.
Who qualifies for Section 8 in Catoosa County?
Generally, families with very low income: no more than 50% of the area median income. For 4 people, HUD's limit here is $48,700 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 Catoosa 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 $1,206 and $1,474 a month. Your agency publishes its figure.
Does the fair market rent change by ZIP code in Catoosa County?
For 2 bedrooms they run from $1,180 in 30736 to $1,200 in 30742. 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 Catoosa County?
HUD lists 10 properties with homes for low-income households in Catoosa 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 Catoosa County?
HUD counts rent as a burden when it reaches 30% of income or more. In Catoosa County, 43% of renter households are in that position; in Georgia, 52%, and nationwide, 51% (Average 2020–2024, Census).