Renting · Section 8
Data from November 2026
Renting in Steuben County, Indiana
Steuben County has a HUD fair market rent of $1,102 a month for 2 bedrooms (Fiscal year 2027). Renter households here pay a typical rent of $933 a month (Average 2020–2024). Paying the fair market rent without going over 30% of income takes $21.19 an hour, full time.
Four numbers to start with
- Fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
- $1,102
- a month, HUD, Fiscal year 2027
- 15% less than in Indiana
- Typical rent
- $933
- a month, Census, Average 2020–2024
- 12% less than in Indiana
- Wage needed
- $21.19
- an hour, 2 bedrooms
- Or $44,080 a year, to spend no more than 30% of income on rent.
- Rent-burdened households
- 45%
- spend 30% or more of income on rent
- 5% less than in Indiana
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 Steuben 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 Steuben County was $1,101 a month in September 2026. 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 | $837 | $16.10 | $33,480 |
| 1 bedroom | $842 | $16.19 | $33,680 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,102 | $21.19 | $44,080 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,415 | $27.21 | $56,600 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,448 | $27.85 | $57,920 |
HUD area: Steuben County, IN. 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 11 ZIP codes in Steuben County (Fiscal year 2027). Type yours to see it.
For 2 bedrooms they run from $1,040 in 46742 to $1,240 in 46737. 6 ZIP codes are above the county's fair market rent ($1,102).
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)
| 46703 | LaGrange County, IN | $810 | $820 | $1,070 | $1,370 | $1,410 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 46703 | Steuben County, IN | $810 | $820 | $1,070 | $1,370 | $1,410 |
| 46737 | Steuben County, IN | $940 | $950 | $1,240 | $1,590 | $1,630 |
| 46742 | DeKalb County, IN | $790 | $800 | $1,040 | $1,330 | $1,370 |
| 46742 | Steuben County, IN | $790 | $800 | $1,040 | $1,330 | $1,370 |
| 46747 | DeKalb County, IN | $860 | $860 | $1,130 | $1,420 | $1,480 |
| 46747 | LaGrange County, IN | $860 | $860 | $1,130 | $1,420 | $1,480 |
| 46747 | Steuben County, IN | $860 | $860 | $1,130 | $1,420 | $1,480 |
| 46776 | LaGrange County, IN | $880 | $890 | $1,160 | $1,470 | $1,530 |
| 46776 | Steuben County, IN | $880 | $890 | $1,160 | $1,470 | $1,530 |
| 46779 | Steuben County, IN | $810 | $830 | $1,070 | $1,360 | $1,410 |
- 46703 · LaGrange County, IN $1,070$1,370
- 46703 · Steuben County, IN $1,070$1,370
- 46737 · Steuben County, IN $1,240$1,590
- 46742 · DeKalb County, IN $1,040$1,330
- 46742 · Steuben County, IN $1,040$1,330
- 46747 · DeKalb County, IN $1,130$1,420
- 46747 · LaGrange County, IN $1,130$1,420
- 46747 · Steuben County, IN $1,130$1,420
- 46776 · LaGrange County, IN $1,160$1,470
- 46776 · Steuben County, IN $1,160$1,470
- 46779 · Steuben County, IN $1,070$1,360
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 Steuben County, 45% of renter households are in that position; in Indiana, 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.
45%
of renter households spend 30% or more of their income on rent.
2,886 households rent in Steuben County
- Spend half or more of their income 20%
- Spend 30% or more, but less than half 25%
- Spend less than 30% 55%
Compared with the state and the country
- Steuben 45%
- Indiana 48%
- United States 51%
Low-income apartments
Low-income apartments in Steuben County
HUD lists 8 properties with homes for low-income households in Steuben 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
- 2
387 homes in all; 376 of them low-income, according to HUD.
- Elliott Manor Public housing 617 Williams St, Angola 46703 188 homes, 184 low-income · Run by Housing Authority of the City of Angola · Average payment: $473 a month · Average wait: 5 months · (260) 665-9741
- Lakeland Apartments HUD-assisted 201 Fox Lake Rd, Angola 46703 71 homes, 70 low-income · For older adults · (260) 665-9491
- Brockville Commons Public housing 200 W Spring St, Fremont 46737 40 low-income homes · Run by Fremont Housing Authority · Average payment: $521 a month · Average wait: 9 months · (219) 495-2422
- Northcrest Apts I Tax credit (LIHTC) 810 Regency Ct, Angola 46703 28 homes, 25 low-income · 2 bd: 14 · 3 bd: 14 · In service since 2002
- Northcrest Apts II Tax credit (LIHTC) 810 Regency Ct, Angola 46703 28 homes, 25 low-income · 1 bd: 4 · 2 bd: 12 · 3 bd: 12 · In service since 2002
- ST Charles Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 717 W North St, Fremont 46737 20 low-income homes · 1 bd: 16 · 2 bd: 4 · In service since 1992
- Fairmont Villas Tax credit (LIHTC) 2950 E Follett Ln, Fremont 46737 6 low-income homes · 2 bd: 6 · In service since 1993
- Pioneer Lodge II HUD-assisted 1418 Beckland Dr, Angola 46703 6 low-income homes · For people with disabilities · (260) 668-7198
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 Steuben 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 Steuben 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)
-
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 | $20,100 | $33,500 | $53,600 |
| 2 people | $23,000 | $38,300 | $61,250 |
| 3 people | $27,320 | $43,100 | $68,900 |
| 4 people | $33,000 | $47,850 | $76,550 |
| 5 people | $38,680 | $51,700 | $82,700 |
| 6 people | $44,360 | $55,550 | $88,800 |
| 7 people | $50,040 | $59,350 | $94,950 |
| 8 people | $55,720 | $63,200 | $101,050 |
Area median income: $95,700. HUD income limits by family size, Fiscal year 2026. Area: Steuben County, IN. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2026
Possible payment standard
- Studio $753 – $921
- 1 bedroom $758 – $926
- 2 bedrooms $992 – $1,212
- 3 bedrooms $1,274 – $1,557
- 4 bedrooms $1,303 – $1,593
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 Angola Public housing · 184 public housing units (260) 665-9741 Housing Authority of the City of Angola: laykthomas@angolahousing.com
- Fremont Housing Authority Public housing · 40 public housing units (219) 495-2422 Fremont Housing Authority: fremha2@gmail.com
Housing agencies in Indiana Source: HUD, Retrieved November 6, 2026
Your rights as a tenant in Indiana
What Indiana 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?
- 45 days
- Ind. Code §32-31-3-12(a)
- If I fall behind on rent, what notice must I get?
- 10 days
- Ind. Code §32-31-1-6
- How much notice before a rent increase?
- 30 days
- Ind. Code §32-31-5-4
- Only a court order can remove youInd. Code §32-31-5-6(c)
- Protection from retaliationInd. Code §32-31-8.5-5
Help
Where to get help with rent in Steuben County
These are the nearest HUD-approved agencies. They counsel for free or at low cost.
-
Lacasa of Goshen, Inc.
202 N Cottage Ave, Goshen · 43 miles away · Spanish
- Mortgage delinquency and default
- Budget and financial counseling
- and 6 more
-
Lacasa of Goshen Inc - Branch Office
516 S Main St, Elkhart · 50 miles away · Spanish
- Budget and financial counseling
- Budget and credit workshops
- and 3 more
Tool
How much cash do you need to move in?
It starts with the 2-bedroom fair market rent in Steuben 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 Indiana, the average home bill was $133 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
$2,204
What you need before you get the keys.
What adds up
- First month
- $1,102
- Security deposit
- $1,102
- Total
- $2,204
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 Steuben County?
According to HUD (Fiscal year 2027): Studio: $837; 1 bedroom: $842; 2 bedrooms: $1,102; 3 bedrooms: $1,415; 4 bedrooms: $1,448. It covers rent plus basic utilities, except the phone.
How much do you need to earn to rent in Steuben County?
Paying the 2-bedroom fair market rent ($1,102) without spending more than 30% of income takes $21.19 an hour full time, or $44,080 a year.
Who qualifies for Section 8 in Steuben County?
Generally, families with very low income: no more than 50% of the area median income. For 4 people, HUD's limit here is $47,850 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 Steuben 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 $992 and $1,212 a month. Your agency publishes its figure.
Does the fair market rent change by ZIP code in Steuben County?
For 2 bedrooms they run from $1,040 in 46742 to $1,240 in 46737. 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 Steuben County?
HUD lists 8 properties with homes for low-income households in Steuben 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 Steuben County?
HUD counts rent as a burden when it reaches 30% of income or more. In Steuben County, 45% of renter households are in that position; in Indiana, 48%, and nationwide, 51% (Average 2020–2024, Census).