Renting · Section 8
Data from November 2026
Renting in Oxford County, Maine
Oxford County has a HUD fair market rent of $1,224 a month for 2 bedrooms (Fiscal year 2027). Renter households here pay a typical rent of $836 a month (Average 2020–2024). Paying the fair market rent without going over 30% of income takes $23.54 an hour, full time.
Four numbers to start with
- Fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
- $1,224
- a month, HUD, Fiscal year 2027
- 29% less than in Maine
- Typical rent
- $836
- a month, Census, Average 2020–2024
- 27% less than in Maine
- Wage needed
- $23.54
- an hour, 2 bedrooms
- Or $48,960 a year, to spend no more than 30% of income on rent.
- Rent-burdened households
- 54%
- spend 30% or more of income on rent
- 12% more than in Maine
Only here
Renting in Oxford County: what sets it apart
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
-
Oxford County has the largest share of rent-burdened renters of the 16 counties in Maine: 54%.
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 Oxford 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 Oxford County was $1,400 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 | $852 | $16.38 | $34,080 |
| 1 bedroom | $949 | $18.25 | $37,960 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,224 | $23.54 | $48,960 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,695 | $32.60 | $67,800 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,046 | $39.35 | $81,840 |
HUD area: Oxford County, ME. 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 42 ZIP codes in Oxford County (Fiscal year 2027). Type yours to see it.
For 2 bedrooms they run from $1,170 in 04216 to $1,840 in 04010. 25 ZIP codes are above the county's fair market rent ($1,224).
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)
| 03579 | Coos County, NH | $990 | $1,020 | $1,290 | $1,740 | $1,960 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 03579 | Oxford County, ME | $990 | $1,020 | $1,290 | $1,740 | $1,960 |
| 04010 | Oxford County, ME | $1,280 | $1,430 | $1,840 | $2,550 | $3,080 |
| 04022 | Cumberland County, ME | $1,140 | $1,260 | $1,650 | $2,170 | $2,740 |
| 04022 | Oxford County, ME | $1,140 | $1,260 | $1,650 | $2,170 | $2,740 |
| 04037 | Oxford County, ME | $890 | $990 | $1,280 | $1,770 | $2,140 |
| 04041 | Oxford County, ME | $1,100 | $1,230 | $1,590 | $2,210 | $2,660 |
| 04051 | Oxford County, ME | $1,250 | $1,390 | $1,790 | $2,480 | $2,990 |
| 04068 | Oxford County, ME | $1,100 | $1,230 | $1,580 | $2,190 | $2,640 |
| 04088 | Oxford County, ME | $970 | $1,090 | $1,400 | $1,940 | $2,340 |
| 04216 | Oxford County, ME | $810 | $900 | $1,170 | $1,630 | $1,960 |
| 04217 | Oxford County, ME | $820 | $920 | $1,180 | $1,630 | $1,970 |
| 04219 | Oxford County, ME | $900 | $1,000 | $1,290 | $1,790 | $2,160 |
| 04220 | Lewiston-Auburn, ME | $1,030 | $1,100 | $1,430 | $1,910 | $2,310 |
| 04220 | Oxford County, ME | $1,030 | $1,100 | $1,430 | $1,910 | $2,310 |
| 04221 | Oxford County, ME | $820 | $900 | $1,170 | $1,630 | $1,960 |
| 04224 | Franklin County, ME | $820 | $910 | $1,190 | $1,630 | $1,960 |
| 04224 | Oxford County, ME | $820 | $910 | $1,190 | $1,630 | $1,960 |
| 04226 | Oxford County, ME | $810 | $900 | $1,170 | $1,630 | $1,960 |
| 04227 | Franklin County, ME | $820 | $910 | $1,190 | $1,630 | $1,960 |
| 04227 | Oxford County, ME | $820 | $910 | $1,190 | $1,630 | $1,960 |
| 04231 | Oxford County, ME | $1,010 | $1,100 | $1,420 | $1,960 | $2,370 |
| 04237 | Oxford County, ME | $900 | $1,010 | $1,290 | $1,790 | $2,160 |
| 04238 | Lewiston-Auburn, ME | $1,030 | $1,130 | $1,460 | $2,000 | $2,410 |
| 04238 | Oxford County, ME | $1,030 | $1,130 | $1,460 | $2,000 | $2,410 |
| 04255 | Oxford County, ME | $1,190 | $1,330 | $1,710 | $2,370 | $2,860 |
| 04257 | Oxford County, ME | $930 | $1,040 | $1,340 | $1,860 | $2,240 |
| 04261 | Oxford County, ME | $1,060 | $1,180 | $1,520 | $2,100 | $2,540 |
| 04267 | Oxford County, ME | $970 | $1,090 | $1,400 | $1,940 | $2,340 |
| 04268 | Oxford County, ME | $810 | $900 | $1,170 | $1,630 | $1,960 |
| 04270 | Lewiston-Auburn, ME | $1,100 | $1,230 | $1,580 | $2,190 | $2,640 |
| 04270 | Oxford County, ME | $1,100 | $1,230 | $1,580 | $2,190 | $2,640 |
| 04271 | Oxford County, ME | $850 | $950 | $1,220 | $1,690 | $2,040 |
| 04275 | Oxford County, ME | $810 | $900 | $1,170 | $1,630 | $1,960 |
| 04276 | Oxford County, ME | $810 | $900 | $1,170 | $1,630 | $1,960 |
| 04281 | Oxford County, ME | $910 | $1,010 | $1,300 | $1,800 | $2,170 |
| 04286 | Oxford County, ME | $850 | $950 | $1,220 | $1,690 | $2,040 |
| 04289 | Oxford County, ME | $810 | $900 | $1,170 | $1,630 | $1,960 |
| 04290 | Oxford County, ME | $820 | $910 | $1,180 | $1,630 | $1,970 |
| 04292 | Oxford County, ME | $920 | $1,030 | $1,330 | $1,840 | $2,220 |
| 04964 | Franklin County, ME | $820 | $910 | $1,190 | $1,630 | $1,960 |
| 04964 | Oxford County, ME | $820 | $910 | $1,190 | $1,630 | $1,960 |
- 03579 · Coos County, NH $1,290$1,740
- 03579 · Oxford County, ME $1,290$1,740
- 04010 · Oxford County, ME $1,840$2,550
- 04022 · Cumberland County, ME $1,650$2,170
- 04022 · Oxford County, ME $1,650$2,170
- 04037 · Oxford County, ME $1,280$1,770
- 04041 · Oxford County, ME $1,590$2,210
- 04051 · Oxford County, ME $1,790$2,480
- 04068 · Oxford County, ME $1,580$2,190
- 04088 · Oxford County, ME $1,400$1,940
- 04216 · Oxford County, ME $1,170$1,630
- 04217 · Oxford County, ME $1,180$1,630
- 04219 · Oxford County, ME $1,290$1,790
- 04220 · Lewiston-Auburn, ME $1,430$1,910
- 04220 · Oxford County, ME $1,430$1,910
- 04221 · Oxford County, ME $1,170$1,630
- 04224 · Franklin County, ME $1,190$1,630
- 04224 · Oxford County, ME $1,190$1,630
- 04226 · Oxford County, ME $1,170$1,630
- 04227 · Franklin County, ME $1,190$1,630
- 04227 · Oxford County, ME $1,190$1,630
- 04231 · Oxford County, ME $1,420$1,960
- 04237 · Oxford County, ME $1,290$1,790
- 04238 · Lewiston-Auburn, ME $1,460$2,000
- 04238 · Oxford County, ME $1,460$2,000
- 04255 · Oxford County, ME $1,710$2,370
- 04257 · Oxford County, ME $1,340$1,860
- 04261 · Oxford County, ME $1,520$2,100
- 04267 · Oxford County, ME $1,400$1,940
- 04268 · Oxford County, ME $1,170$1,630
- 04270 · Lewiston-Auburn, ME $1,580$2,190
- 04270 · Oxford County, ME $1,580$2,190
- 04271 · Oxford County, ME $1,220$1,690
- 04275 · Oxford County, ME $1,170$1,630
- 04276 · Oxford County, ME $1,170$1,630
- 04281 · Oxford County, ME $1,300$1,800
- 04286 · Oxford County, ME $1,220$1,690
- 04289 · Oxford County, ME $1,170$1,630
- 04290 · Oxford County, ME $1,180$1,630
- 04292 · Oxford County, ME $1,330$1,840
- 04964 · Franklin County, ME $1,190$1,630
- 04964 · Oxford County, ME $1,190$1,630
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 Oxford County, 54% of renter households are in that position; in Maine, 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.
54%
of renter households spend 30% or more of their income on rent.
4,679 households rent in Oxford County
- Spend half or more of their income 25%
- Spend 30% or more, but less than half 29%
- Spend less than 30% 46%
Compared with the state and the country
- Oxford 54%
- Maine 48%
- United States 51%
Low-income apartments
Low-income apartments in Oxford County
HUD lists 22 properties with homes for low-income households in Oxford County: tax-credit apartments (LIHTC) and HUD-assisted buildings. They run from the most low-income homes to the fewest.
- with tax credits (LIHTC)
- 7
- HUD-assisted
- 15
509 homes in all; 507 of them low-income, according to HUD.
- Rumford Island Complex HUD-assisted 20 Congress St, Rumford 04276 88 low-income homes · For older adults
- Alpine Park HUD-assisted 32 Alpine St, Norway 04268 40 low-income homes · For families
- Buck Hill Apartments I HUD-assisted 235 High St, South Paris 04281 40 low-income homes · For older adults
- Concorde Apartments HUD-assisted 220 Franklin St, Rumford 04276 27 low-income homes · For older adults
- Hill Street Commons II Tax credit (LIHTC) 33 Hill St, South Paris 26 low-income homes · 1 bd: 26 · In service since 1994
- Hill Street Commons I Tax credit (LIHTC) 35 Hill St, South Paris 25 low-income homes · 1 bd: 25 · In service since 1992
- Bethel Park Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 23 Mason St, Bethel 24 low-income homes · 1 bd: 8 · 2 bd: 12 · 3 bd: 4 · In service since 1992
- Buck Hill Apartments II HUD-assisted 235 High St, South Paris 04281 24 low-income homes · For older adults
- Dixfield Square Apartments HUD-assisted 12 Third St, Dixfield 04224 24 low-income homes · For older adults
- Mountain View Apartments HUD-assisted 155 Pioneer St, West Paris 04289 24 low-income homes · For older adults
- Sun Valley Housing HUD-assisted 77 Harlow Hill Rd, Mexico 04257 24 low-income homes · For families
- Bethel House HUD-assisted 156 Main St, Bethel 04217 20 low-income homes · For older adults
- Whitney-Brookside Homes HUD-assisted 9 Whitney Brook Ln, Canton 04221 20 low-income homes · For older adults
- Scattered Site Special Needs Housing Tax credit (LIHTC) 14 High St, South Paris 19 low-income homes · 1 bd: 18 · 2 bd: 1 · In service since 1997
- Oxford Hills Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 63 Cottage St, Norway 18 low-income homes · 2 bd: 2 · 3 bd: 16 · In service since 2002 · For families
- Waterford Acres Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 709 Valley Rd, Waterford 14 homes, 12 low-income · 1 bd: 14 · In service since 1994
- Fox School Tax credit (LIHTC) 10 E Main St, South Paris 12 low-income homes · Studio: 1 · 1 bd: 11 · In service since 2019 · For older adults
- Parkview Apartments HUD-assisted 44 High St, South Paris 04281 10 low-income homes · For older adults
- Doctor Danforth House HUD-assisted 285 Main St, Norway 04268 8 low-income homes · For older adults
- Raspberry Knoll I HUD-assisted 59 Bartlett St, Norway 04268 8 low-income homes · For families
- Strawberry Bluff HUD-assisted 20 Deering St, South Paris 04281 8 low-income homes · For families
- Stony Brook Housing HUD-assisted 28 E Main St, South Paris 04281 6 low-income homes · For people with disabilities
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 Oxford County
The Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) pays part of your rent on a home you choose. A public housing agency runs it. HUD lists none with an office in Oxford County; the state's agencies can help you. 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 | $19,300 | $32,200 | $51,450 |
| 2 people | $22,050 | $36,800 | $58,800 |
| 3 people | $27,320 | $41,400 | $66,150 |
| 4 people | $33,000 | $45,950 | $73,500 |
| 5 people | $38,680 | $49,650 | $79,400 |
| 6 people | $44,360 | $53,350 | $85,300 |
| 7 people | $50,040 | $57,000 | $91,150 |
| 8 people | $55,720 | $60,700 | $97,050 |
Area median income: $81,000. HUD income limits by family size, Fiscal year 2026. Area: Oxford County, ME. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2026
Possible payment standard
- Studio $767 – $937
- 1 bedroom $854 – $1,044
- 2 bedrooms $1,102 – $1,346
- 3 bedrooms $1,526 – $1,865
- 4 bedrooms $1,841 – $2,251
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
HUD lists no housing agency with an office in Oxford County. You can apply at another agency in your state: you do not have to live where you apply. Source: HUD
Your rights as a tenant in Maine
What Maine 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
- 14 M.R.S. §6032
- How much notice before a rent increase?
- 45 or 75 days, depending on the case
- 14 M.R.S. §6015(1)-(2)
Help
Where to get help with rent in Oxford County
This HUD-approved agency has an office in Oxford County. They counsel for free or at low cost.
-
Community Concepts, Inc. Also DBA Homequestmaine
17 Market Sq, South Paris · Spanish
Also serves in American Sign Language (ASL) and French.
- Mortgage delinquency and default
- Mortgage delinquency workshops
- and 6 more
Tool
How much cash do you need to move in?
It starts with the 2-bedroom fair market rent in Oxford 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 Maine, the average home bill was $134 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
$2,448
What you need before you get the keys.
What adds up
- First month
- $1,224
- Security deposit
- $1,224
- Total
- $2,448
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 Oxford County?
According to HUD (Fiscal year 2027): Studio: $852; 1 bedroom: $949; 2 bedrooms: $1,224; 3 bedrooms: $1,695; 4 bedrooms: $2,046. It covers rent plus basic utilities, except the phone.
How much do you need to earn to rent in Oxford County?
Paying the 2-bedroom fair market rent ($1,224) without spending more than 30% of income takes $23.54 an hour full time, or $48,960 a year.
Who qualifies for Section 8 in Oxford County?
Generally, families with very low income: no more than 50% of the area median income. For 4 people, HUD's limit here is $45,950 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 Oxford 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 $1,102 and $1,346 a month. Your agency publishes its figure.
Does the fair market rent change by ZIP code in Oxford County?
For 2 bedrooms they run from $1,170 in 04216 to $1,840 in 04010. 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 Oxford County?
HUD lists 22 properties with homes for low-income households in Oxford County: tax-credit apartments (LIHTC) and HUD-assisted buildings. 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 Oxford County?
HUD counts rent as a burden when it reaches 30% of income or more. In Oxford County, 54% of renter households are in that position; in Maine, 48%, and nationwide, 51% (Average 2020–2024, Census).