Renting · Section 8
Data from November 2026
Renting in Ford County, Kansas
Ford County has a HUD fair market rent of $1,085 a month for 2 bedrooms (Fiscal year 2027). Renter households here pay a typical rent of $1,010 a month (Average 2020–2024). Paying the fair market rent without going over 30% of income takes $20.87 an hour, full time.
Four numbers to start with
- Fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
- $1,085
- a month, HUD, Fiscal year 2027
- 10% less than in Kansas
- Typical rent
- $1,010
- a month, Census, Average 2020–2024
- 5% less than in Kansas
- Wage needed
- $20.87
- an hour, 2 bedrooms
- Or $43,400 a year, to spend no more than 30% of income on rent.
- Rent-burdened households
- 28%
- spend 30% or more of income on rent
- 35% less than in Kansas
Only here
Renting in Ford County: what sets it apart
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
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Ford County has the highest typical rent in its area: $1,010, more than any of its 6 neighboring counties; next is Hodgeman County ($941).
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At 62%, Ford County ranks 8th among the 105 counties in Kansas for the lowest homeownership rate.
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Ford County has the 9th smallest share of rent-burdened renters of the 90 counties in Kansas with this figure (28%).
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 Ford 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 | $756 | $14.54 | $30,240 |
| 1 bedroom | $829 | $15.94 | $33,160 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,085 | $20.87 | $43,400 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,437 | $27.63 | $57,480 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,610 | $30.96 | $64,400 |
HUD area: Ford County, KS. 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 13 ZIP codes in Ford County (Fiscal year 2027). Type yours to see it.
For 2 bedrooms they run from $960 in 67834 to $1,100 in 67843. 5 ZIP codes are above the county's fair market rent ($1,085).
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)
| 67801 | Ford County, KS | $770 | $840 | $1,100 | $1,460 | $1,630 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 67801 | Gray County, KS | $770 | $840 | $1,100 | $1,460 | $1,630 |
| 67801 | Hodgeman County, KS | $770 | $840 | $1,100 | $1,460 | $1,630 |
| 67834 | Clark County, KS | $670 | $730 | $960 | $1,270 | $1,430 |
| 67834 | Ford County, KS | $670 | $730 | $960 | $1,270 | $1,430 |
| 67834 | Kiowa County, KS | $670 | $730 | $960 | $1,270 | $1,430 |
| 67842 | Clark County, KS | $670 | $740 | $960 | $1,270 | $1,430 |
| 67842 | Ford County, KS | $670 | $740 | $960 | $1,270 | $1,430 |
| 67843 | Ford County, KS | $770 | $840 | $1,100 | $1,460 | $1,630 |
| 67843 | Gray County, KS | $770 | $840 | $1,100 | $1,460 | $1,630 |
| 67876 | Ford County, KS | $670 | $740 | $960 | $1,280 | $1,440 |
| 67876 | Hodgeman County, KS | $670 | $740 | $960 | $1,280 | $1,440 |
| 67882 | Ford County, KS | $720 | $790 | $1,020 | $1,370 | $1,530 |
- 67801 · Ford County, KS $1,100$1,460
- 67801 · Gray County, KS $1,100$1,460
- 67801 · Hodgeman County, KS $1,100$1,460
- 67834 · Clark County, KS $960$1,270
- 67834 · Ford County, KS $960$1,270
- 67834 · Kiowa County, KS $960$1,270
- 67842 · Clark County, KS $960$1,270
- 67842 · Ford County, KS $960$1,270
- 67843 · Ford County, KS $1,100$1,460
- 67843 · Gray County, KS $1,100$1,460
- 67876 · Ford County, KS $960$1,280
- 67876 · Hodgeman County, KS $960$1,280
- 67882 · Ford County, KS $1,020$1,370
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 Ford County, 28% of renter households are in that position; in Kansas, 43%, 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.
28%
of renter households spend 30% or more of their income on rent.
4,425 households rent in Ford County
- Spend half or more of their income 12%
- Spend 30% or more, but less than half 16%
- Spend less than 30% 72%
Compared with the state and the country
- Ford 28%
- Kansas 43%
- United States 51%
Low-income apartments
Low-income apartments in Ford County
HUD lists 8 properties with homes for low-income households in Ford 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)
- 3
- HUD-assisted
- 3
- public housing
- 2
575 homes in all; 493 of them low-income, according to HUD.
- Dodge City Pha Public housing 401 Longbranch Rd, Dodge City 67801 188 low-income homes · Run by Dodge City Housing Authority · Average payment: $247 a month · Average wait: 13 months · (620) 225-1965
- Dodge City Pha Public housing 407 E Bend St, Dodge City 67801 127 low-income homes · Run by Dodge City Housing Authority · Average payment: $367 a month · Average wait: 16 months · (620) 225-1965
- Dodge City Sundance Tax credit (LIHTC) 1500 Avenue K, Dodge City 67801 96 low-income homes · 2 bd: 64 · 3 bd: 32 · In service since 1996
- Park Plaza Tower HUD-assisted 1914 Central Ave, Dodge City 67801 60 low-income homes · For older adults · (620) 227-3331
- Arrowhead West HUD-assisted 3001 Anna Ave, Dodge City 67801 14 homes, 12 low-income · For people with disabilities · (620) 227-8803
- Golden Plains HUD-assisted 1316 Bristol Ave, Dodge City 67801 10 low-income homes · For people with disabilities · (620) 227-5040
- The Reserves at Cimarron Valley II Tax credit (LIHTC) 2804N 6th Ave, Dodge City 67801 48 homes · In service since 2013
- The Reserves at Cimarron Valley Tax credit (LIHTC) 2806 6th Ave, Dodge City 67801 32 homes · In service since 2011
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 Ford 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 Ford 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 | $18,450 | $30,700 | $49,100 |
| 2 people | $21,640 | $35,050 | $56,100 |
| 3 people | $27,320 | $39,450 | $63,100 |
| 4 people | $33,000 | $43,800 | $70,100 |
| 5 people | $38,680 | $47,350 | $75,750 |
| 6 people | $44,360 | $50,850 | $81,350 |
| 7 people | $50,040 | $54,350 | $86,950 |
| 8 people | $55,720 | $57,850 | $92,550 |
Area median income: $87,600. HUD income limits by family size, Fiscal year 2026. Area: Ford County, KS. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2026
Possible payment standard
- Studio $680 – $832
- 1 bedroom $746 – $912
- 2 bedrooms $977 – $1,194
- 3 bedrooms $1,293 – $1,581
- 4 bedrooms $1,449 – $1,771
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
- Dodge City Housing Authority Public housing and Section 8 vouchers · 138 vouchers · 315 public housing units (620) 225-1965 Dodge City Housing Authority: darren.basgall1@outlook.com
- Ford County Housing Authority Section 8 vouchers · 401 vouchers (620) 471-4711 Ford County Housing Authority: LeeAnn.Goodman@swksaging.org
Housing agencies in Kansas Source: HUD, Retrieved November 6, 2026
Your rights as a tenant in Kansas
What Kansas 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 1 month of rent
- K.S.A. 58-2550(a)
- When must they return my deposit?
- 30 days
- K.S.A. 58-2550(b)
- If I fall behind on rent, what notice must I get?
- 3 calendar days
- K.S.A. 58-2564(b)
- How much notice ends a month-to-month rental?
- 30 days
- K.S.A. 58-2570(a)-(b)
- Only a court order can remove youK.S.A. 58-2569
- Protection from retaliationK.S.A. 58-2572(a)-(b)
Help
Where to get help with rent in Ford County
This HUD-approved agency has an office in Ford County. They counsel for free or at low cost.
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Catholic Charities of Southwest Kansas
804 N 2nd Ave, Dodge City · Spanish
Also serves in Creole, French, and Swahili.
- Budget and financial counseling
- Home improvement and repairs
- and 4 more
Tool
How much cash do you need to move in?
It starts with the 2-bedroom fair market rent in Ford 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 Kansas, the average home bill was $124 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
$2,170
What you need before you get the keys.
What adds up
- First month
- $1,085
- Security deposit
- $1,085
- Total
- $2,170
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 Ford County?
According to HUD (Fiscal year 2027): Studio: $756; 1 bedroom: $829; 2 bedrooms: $1,085; 3 bedrooms: $1,437; 4 bedrooms: $1,610. It covers rent plus basic utilities, except the phone.
How much do you need to earn to rent in Ford County?
Paying the 2-bedroom fair market rent ($1,085) without spending more than 30% of income takes $20.87 an hour full time, or $43,400 a year.
Who qualifies for Section 8 in Ford County?
Generally, families with very low income: no more than 50% of the area median income. For 4 people, HUD's limit here is $43,800 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 Ford 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 $977 and $1,194 a month. Your agency publishes its figure.
Does the fair market rent change by ZIP code in Ford County?
For 2 bedrooms they run from $960 in 67834 to $1,100 in 67843. 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 Ford County?
HUD lists 8 properties with homes for low-income households in Ford 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 Ford County?
HUD counts rent as a burden when it reaches 30% of income or more. In Ford County, 28% of renter households are in that position; in Kansas, 43%, and nationwide, 51% (Average 2020–2024, Census).