Renting · Section 8
Data from November 2026
Renting in Meriwether County, Georgia
Meriwether County has a HUD fair market rent of $1,002 a month for 2 bedrooms (Fiscal year 2027). Renter households here pay a typical rent of $920 a month (Average 2020–2024). Paying the fair market rent without going over 30% of income takes $19.27 an hour, full time.
Four numbers to start with
- Fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
- $1,002
- a month, HUD, Fiscal year 2027
- 34% less than in Georgia
- Typical rent
- $920
- a month, Census, Average 2020–2024
- 34% less than in Georgia
- Wage needed
- $19.27
- an hour, 2 bedrooms
- Or $40,080 a year, to spend no more than 30% of income on rent.
- Rent-burdened households
- 48%
- spend 30% or more of income on rent
- 8% less than in Georgia
Only here
Renting in Meriwether County: what sets it apart
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
-
15% of households in Meriwether County have no internet at home, against 7% in Georgia.
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 Meriwether 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 | $761 | $14.63 | $30,440 |
| 1 bedroom | $766 | $14.73 | $30,640 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,002 | $19.27 | $40,080 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,387 | $26.67 | $55,480 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,515 | $29.13 | $60,600 |
HUD area: Meriwether County, GA 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 8 ZIP codes in Meriwether County (Fiscal year 2027). Type yours to see it.
For 2 bedrooms they run from $1,000 in 30222 to $1,500 in 30218. 3 ZIP codes are above the county's fair market rent ($1,002).
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)
| 30218 | Meriwether County, GA | $1,140 | $1,150 | $1,500 | $2,080 | $2,270 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30222 | Meriwether County, GA | $760 | $770 | $1,000 | $1,390 | $1,510 |
| 30251 | Meriwether County, GA | $760 | $770 | $1,000 | $1,390 | $1,510 |
| 30293 | Meriwether County, GA | $760 | $770 | $1,000 | $1,390 | $1,510 |
| 31816 | Meriwether County, GA | $870 | $870 | $1,130 | $1,570 | $1,720 |
| 31816 | Talbot County, GA | $870 | $870 | $1,130 | $1,570 | $1,720 |
| 31830 | Columbus, GA-AL | $810 | $850 | $1,000 | $1,380 | $1,540 |
| 31830 | Meriwether County, GA | $810 | $850 | $1,000 | $1,380 | $1,540 |
- 30218 · Meriwether County, GA $1,500$2,080
- 30222 · Meriwether County, GA $1,000$1,390
- 30251 · Meriwether County, GA $1,000$1,390
- 30293 · Meriwether County, GA $1,000$1,390
- 31816 · Meriwether County, GA $1,130$1,570
- 31816 · Talbot County, GA $1,130$1,570
- 31830 · Columbus, GA-AL $1,000$1,380
- 31830 · Meriwether County, GA $1,000$1,380
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 Meriwether County, 48% 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.
48%
of renter households spend 30% or more of their income on rent.
2,264 households rent in Meriwether County
- Spend half or more of their income 17%
- Spend 30% or more, but less than half 32%
- Spend less than 30% 52%
Compared with the state and the country
- Meriwether 48%
- Georgia 52%
- United States 51%
Low-income apartments
Low-income apartments in Meriwether County
HUD lists 9 properties with homes for low-income households in Meriwether County: tax-credit apartments (LIHTC) and public housing. They run from the most low-income homes to the fewest.
- with tax credits (LIHTC)
- 6
- public housing
- 3
368 homes in all; 286 of them low-income, according to HUD.
- R. D. Hill Plaza Public housing 439 R D Hill Plaza Dr, Greenville 30222 80 low-income homes · Run by Housing Authority of the City of Greenville · Average payment: $418 a month · (706) 672-1353
- Talbotton Public housing 531 Folk Ave, Woodbury 30293 67 low-income homes · Run by Tri-City Housing Authority · Average payment: $362 a month · Average wait: 6 months · (706) 674-2316
- Hidden Creek Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 1000 Nebula Rd, Manchester 31816 49 low-income homes · In service since 1991
- Hilltop Public housing 522M Lake Dr, Manchester 31816 50 homes, 48 low-income · Run by Housing Authority of the City of Manchester · Average payment: $443 a month · Average wait: 11 months · (706) 846-9428
- Pigeon Creek Apartments Tax credit (LIHTC) 1135 Warm Springs Hwy, Manchester 31816 43 homes, 42 low-income · In service since 1994
- Pigeon Creek Apts (NEW) Tax credit (LIHTC) 43 Rose Court, Manchester 31816 43 homes · 1 bd: 40 · 2 bd: 3
- Greenville Commons Tax credit (LIHTC) 738 N Depot St, Greenville 30222 36 homes · In service since 2004
- Pigeon Bluff Apts (NEW) Tax credit (LIHTC) 161 Rose Ct, Manchester 31816 1 bd: 4 · 2 bd: 12 · 3 bd: 2
- Warm Springs Apts (NEW) Tax credit (LIHTC) 4161 Highway 85 W, Warm Springs 31830 1 bd: 4 · 2 bd: 16 · 3 bd: 2
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 Meriwether 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 Meriwether 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)
-
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
-
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 | $16,200 | $26,950 | $43,150 |
| 2 people | $21,640 | $30,800 | $49,300 |
| 3 people | $27,320 | $34,650 | $55,450 |
| 4 people | $33,000 | $38,500 | $61,600 |
| 5 people | $38,680 | $41,600 | $66,550 |
| 6 people | $44,360 | $44,700 | $71,500 |
| 7 people | $47,750 | $47,750 | $76,400 |
| 8 people | $50,850 | $50,850 | $81,350 |
Area median income: $72,100. HUD income limits by family size, Fiscal year 2026. Area: Meriwether County, GA HUD Metro FMR Area. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2026
Possible payment standard
- Studio $685 – $837
- 1 bedroom $689 – $843
- 2 bedrooms $902 – $1,102
- 3 bedrooms $1,248 – $1,526
- 4 bedrooms $1,364 – $1,667
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 Greenville Public housing · 80 public housing units (706) 672-1353 Housing Authority of the City of Greenville: gnvlha1@bellsouth.net
- Housing Authority of the City of Manchester Public housing · 48 public housing units (706) 846-9428 Housing Authority of the City of Manchester: f.warren@manchesterhousingga.org
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 Meriwether County
These are the nearest HUD-approved agencies. They counsel for free or at low cost.
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Veterans Center
320 Lanier Ave W, Fayetteville · 31 miles away
Also serves in Creole, French, and other languages.
- Mortgage delinquency and default
- Mortgage delinquency workshops
- and 9 more
-
Nid-Hca Georgia
4788 Jonesboro Rd, Bldg B, Ste1, Union City · 38 miles away
- Mortgage delinquency and default
- Mortgage delinquency workshops
- and 10 more
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Nid-Hca Atlanta Metro Regional Office
21 Highway 138 SW, Riverdale · 39 miles away
- Mortgage delinquency and default
- Budget and financial counseling
- and 9 more
Rental assistance programs
The ones that serve in Meriwether 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 Meriwether 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
$2,004
What you need before you get the keys.
What adds up
- First month
- $1,002
- Security deposit
- $1,002
- Total
- $2,004
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 Meriwether County?
According to HUD (Fiscal year 2027): Studio: $761; 1 bedroom: $766; 2 bedrooms: $1,002; 3 bedrooms: $1,387; 4 bedrooms: $1,515. It covers rent plus basic utilities, except the phone.
How much do you need to earn to rent in Meriwether County?
Paying the 2-bedroom fair market rent ($1,002) without spending more than 30% of income takes $19.27 an hour full time, or $40,080 a year.
Who qualifies for Section 8 in Meriwether County?
Generally, families with very low income: no more than 50% of the area median income. For 4 people, HUD's limit here is $38,500 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 Meriwether 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 $902 and $1,102 a month. Your agency publishes its figure.
Does the fair market rent change by ZIP code in Meriwether County?
For 2 bedrooms they run from $1,000 in 30222 to $1,500 in 30218. 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 Meriwether County?
HUD lists 9 properties with homes for low-income households in Meriwether 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 Meriwether County?
HUD counts rent as a burden when it reaches 30% of income or more. In Meriwether County, 48% of renter households are in that position; in Georgia, 52%, and nationwide, 51% (Average 2020–2024, Census).