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Renting · Section 8

Data from November 2026

Renting in Edgar County, Illinois

Edgar County has a HUD fair market rent of $930 a month for 2 bedrooms (Fiscal year 2027). Renter households here pay a typical rent of $775 a month (Average 2020–2024). Paying the fair market rent without going over 30% of income takes $17.88 an hour, full time.

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Fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$930
a month, HUD, Fiscal year 2027
46% less than in Illinois
Typical rent
$775
a month, Census, Average 2020–2024
39% less than in Illinois
Wage needed
$17.88
an hour, 2 bedrooms
Or $37,200 a year, to spend no more than 30% of income on rent.
Rent-burdened households
34%
spend 30% or more of income on rent
30% less than in Illinois

Source: Fair Market Rents (HUD) Fiscal year 2027 Fair Market Rents (HUD) Source: American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates Average 2020–2024 American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates

Only here

Renting in Edgar County: what sets it apart

What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.

  1. 12% of households in Edgar County have no internet at home, against 6% in Illinois.

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 Edgar 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)

Fair market rent and wage needed To pay the fair market rent without spending more than 30% of income, working full time (40 hours a week).
Size Fair rent per month Hourly wage Income needed per year
Studio $648 $12.46 $25,920
1 bedroom $757 $14.56 $30,280
2 bedrooms $930 $17.88 $37,200
3 bedrooms $1,232 $23.69 $49,280
4 bedrooms $1,440 $27.69 $57,600

HUD area: Edgar County, IL. 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 12 ZIP codes in Edgar County (Fiscal year 2027). Type yours to see it.

For 2 bedrooms they run from $930 in 61924 to $1,400 in 61955. 5 ZIP codes are above the county's fair market rent ($930).

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)

  • 61917 · Douglas County, IL $960$1,270
  • 61917 · Edgar County, IL $960$1,270
  • 61924 · Edgar County, IL $930$1,230
  • 61932 · Edgar County, IL $1,130$1,500
  • 61933 · Clark County, IL $930$1,220
  • 61933 · Coles County, IL $930$1,220
  • 61933 · Edgar County, IL $930$1,220
  • 61940 · Edgar County, IL $1,010$1,340
  • 61944 · Clark County, IL $930$1,230
  • 61944 · Edgar County, IL $930$1,230
  • 61949 · Edgar County, IL $930$1,230
  • 61955 · Edgar County, IL $1,400$1,850

Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Fiscal year 2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD)

Rent burden

How many households spend too much

HUD counts rent as a burden when it reaches 30% of income or more. In Edgar County, 34% of renter households are in that position; in Illinois, 48%, 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.

34%

of renter households spend 30% or more of their income on rent.

2,068 households rent in Edgar County

  • Spend half or more of their income 8%
  • Spend 30% or more, but less than half 26%
  • Spend less than 30% 66%

Compared with the state and the country

  • Edgar 34%
  • Illinois 48%
  • United States 51%

Low-income apartments

Low-income apartments in Edgar County

HUD lists 4 properties with homes for low-income households in Edgar 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)
1
HUD-assisted
2
public housing
1

266 homes in all; 266 of them low-income, according to HUD.

  • Highland Manor-Elderly Public housing 602 E Highland Dr, Paris 61944 200 low-income homes · Run by Housing Authority of Edgar County · Average payment: $394 a month · Average wait: 6 months · (217) 465-8458
  • Greentrees Retirement Villa HUD-assisted 211 Ann St, Paris 61944 34 low-income homes · For older adults · (217) 824-9738
  • Candlewood Manor Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 311 W Wood St, Paris 61944 24 low-income homes · 1 bd: 24 · In service since 1995 · For families
  • Western Apartments HUD-assisted R R, Hume 61932 8 low-income homes · For families · (217) 465-8458

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 Edgar County

The Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) pays part of your rent on a home you choose. Your public housing agency runs it. 1 agency serves in Edgar County. Here is what the rules say:

The rules, with their source

  1. 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. HUD

  2. 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). 24 CFR §5.603, §982.201(b)

  3. Each year, at least 75% of the families an agency admits from its list must have extremely low income (the 30% column). 24 CFR §982.201(b)(2)

  4. 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. 24 CFR §982.1(a)(3)

  5. When you move in, if the rent is above the payment standard, your share cannot go over 40% of your adjusted monthly income. 24 CFR §982.508

  6. Each agency sets a payment standard for each size. Without asking HUD, it can go from 90% to 110% of the fair market rent. 24 CFR §982.503(b), (c)

Mixed-status families: how assistance is figured
HUD income limits Yearly income of the whole family, before taxes.
People Extremely low (30%) Very low (50%) Low
$18,850 $31,400 $50,250
$21,640 $35,900 $57,400
$27,320 $40,400 $64,600
$33,000 $44,850 $71,750
$38,680 $48,450 $77,500
$44,360 $52,050 $83,250
$50,040 $55,650 $89,000
$55,720 $59,250 $94,750

Area median income: $80,300. HUD income limits by family size, Fiscal year 2026. Area: Edgar County, IL. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2026

How much can you earn? Check your case

Possible payment standard

  • Studio $583 – $713
  • 1 bedroom $681 – $833
  • 2 bedrooms $837 – $1,023
  • 3 bedrooms $1,109 – $1,355
  • 4 bedrooms $1,296 – $1,584

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 agencies in Illinois Source: HUD, Retrieved November 6, 2026

Your rights as a tenant in Illinois

What Illinois law says about deposits, notices and eviction, with the citation for each rule.

See your rights, rule by rule

Compare these rules with other states →

A summary of state law, not legal advice. Cities may have additional rules.

When must they return my deposit?
45 days
Illinois Security Deposit Return Act
If I fall behind on rent, what notice must I get?
5 days
735 ILCS 5/9-101 to 9-307 (Eviction Act)
How much notice ends a month-to-month rental?
30 days
735 ILCS 5/9-101 to 9-307 (Eviction Act)
  • Only a court order can remove you735 ILCS 5/9-101 to 9-307 (Eviction Act)
  • Protection from retaliation765 ILCS 721 (Landlord Retaliation Act)
  • Protection related to immigration statusIllinois Human Rights Act

Help

Where to get help with rent in Edgar County

This HUD-approved agency has an office in Edgar County. They counsel for free or at low cost.

  • Erba Edgar County Outreach Office

    114 Andrew St, Paris

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Budget and financial counseling
    • and 6 more
    217-331-7031-229

Rental assistance programs

The ones that serve in Edgar County or the whole state, with what each page says about being open.

See every agency in Illinois Find legal aid (lsc.gov)

Tool

How much cash do you need to move in?

It starts with the 2-bedroom fair market rent in Edgar 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 Illinois, the average home bill was $110 a month in 2024 (EIA). See electricity and gas costs

Open the full tool

Your move

We use the place's fair market rent and the state's deposit rule.

Adjust advanced details
Deposit and rent in advance
The deposit, in

Let's do the math

Cash to move in

$1,860

What you need before you get the keys.

What adds up

First month
$930
Security deposit
$930
Total
$1,860

The deposit cap

Pick your state to see whether its law caps the deposit.

Compare each state's rules →

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.
Guide: the security depositGuide: avoiding rental scamsFamily budgetHow much rent can I afford?

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.

Guides

Before you sign

Frequently asked questions

What is the fair market rent in Edgar County?

According to HUD (Fiscal year 2027): Studio: $648; 1 bedroom: $757; 2 bedrooms: $930; 3 bedrooms: $1,232; 4 bedrooms: $1,440. It covers rent plus basic utilities, except the phone.

How much do you need to earn to rent in Edgar County?

Paying the 2-bedroom fair market rent ($930) without spending more than 30% of income takes $17.88 an hour full time, or $37,200 a year.

Who qualifies for Section 8 in Edgar County?

Generally, families with very low income: no more than 50% of the area median income. For 4 people, HUD's limit here is $44,850 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 Edgar 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 $837 and $1,023 a month. Your agency publishes its figure.

Does the fair market rent change by ZIP code in Edgar County?

For 2 bedrooms they run from $930 in 61924 to $1,400 in 61955. 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 Edgar County?

HUD lists 4 properties with homes for low-income households in Edgar 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 Edgar County?

HUD counts rent as a burden when it reaches 30% of income or more. In Edgar County, 34% of renter households are in that position; in Illinois, 48%, and nationwide, 51% (Average 2020–2024, Census).