Renting · Section 8
Data from November 2026
Renting in Dukes County, Massachusetts
Dukes County has a HUD fair market rent of $2,010 a month for 2 bedrooms (Fiscal year 2027). Renter households here pay a typical rent of $1,277 a month (Average 2020–2024). Paying the fair market rent without going over 30% of income takes $38.65 an hour, full time.
Four numbers to start with
- Fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
- $2,010
- a month, HUD, Fiscal year 2027
- 22% less than in Massachusetts
- Typical rent
- $1,277
- a month, Census, Average 2020–2024
- 28% less than in Massachusetts
- Wage needed
- $38.65
- an hour, 2 bedrooms
- Or $80,400 a year, to spend no more than 30% of income on rent.
- Rent-burdened households
- 47%
- spend 30% or more of income on rent
- 9% less than in Massachusetts
Only here
Renting in Dukes County: what sets it apart
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
-
Dukes County has the highest homeownership rate of the 14 counties in Massachusetts: 82%.
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Of the 14 counties in Massachusetts, Dukes County has the smallest share of rent-burdened renters: 47%.
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 Dukes 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 | $1,461 | $28.10 | $58,440 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,537 | $29.56 | $61,480 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,010 | $38.65 | $80,400 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,783 | $53.52 | $111,320 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,112 | $59.85 | $124,480 |
HUD area: Dukes County, MA. 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 9 ZIP codes in Dukes County (Fiscal year 2027). Type yours to see it.
For 2 bedrooms they run from $1,930 in 02713 to $2,850 in 02575. 8 ZIP codes are above the county's fair market rent ($2,010).
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)
| 02535 | Dukes County, MA | $1,800 | $1,980 | $2,590 | $3,590 | $4,010 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 02539 | Dukes County, MA | $1,640 | $1,800 | $2,360 | $3,270 | $3,650 |
| 02543 | Barnstable Town, MA | $1,660 | $1,670 | $2,180 | $2,690 | $3,090 |
| 02543 | Dukes County, MA | $1,660 | $1,670 | $2,180 | $2,690 | $3,090 |
| 02557 | Dukes County, MA | $1,640 | $1,800 | $2,360 | $3,270 | $3,650 |
| 02568 | Dukes County, MA | $1,920 | $2,110 | $2,760 | $3,830 | $4,270 |
| 02568 | Taunton-Mansfield-Norton, MA | $1,920 | $2,110 | $2,760 | $3,830 | $4,270 |
| 02575 | Dukes County, MA | $1,980 | $2,180 | $2,850 | $3,950 | $4,410 |
| 02713 | Dukes County, MA | $1,470 | $1,470 | $1,930 | $2,690 | $2,850 |
- 02535 · Dukes County, MA $2,590$3,590
- 02539 · Dukes County, MA $2,360$3,270
- 02543 · Barnstable Town, MA $2,180$2,690
- 02543 · Dukes County, MA $2,180$2,690
- 02557 · Dukes County, MA $2,360$3,270
- 02568 · Dukes County, MA $2,760$3,830
- 02568 · Taunton-Mansfield-Norton, MA $2,760$3,830
- 02575 · Dukes County, MA $2,850$3,950
- 02713 · Dukes County, MA $1,930$2,690
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 Dukes County, 47% of renter households are in that position; in Massachusetts, 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.
47%
of renter households spend 30% or more of their income on rent.
1,359 households rent in Dukes County
- spend 30% or more of income on rent 47%
- Spend less than 30% 53%
Compared with the state and the country
- Dukes 47%
- Massachusetts 52%
- United States 51%
Low-income apartments
Low-income apartments in Dukes County
HUD lists 13 properties with homes for low-income households in Dukes County: tax-credit apartments (LIHTC) and HUD-assisted buildings. They run from the most low-income homes to the fewest.
- with tax credits (LIHTC)
- 2
- HUD-assisted
- 11
191 homes in all; 176 of them low-income, according to HUD.
- Pennywise Path Tax credit (LIHTC) 2 White Oak Cir, Edgartown 60 homes, 45 low-income · 1 bd: 8 · 2 bd: 33 · 3 bd: 19 · In service since 2007 · For families
- Woodside Village HUD-assisted 60A Village Rd, Vineyard Haven 02568 45 low-income homes · For older adults
- Woodside Village II HUD-assisted 60B Village Rd, Vineyard Haven 02568 18 low-income homes · For older adults
- Hillside Village II HUD-assisted 449 Edgartown Vineyard Haven Rd, Vineyard Haven 02568 10 low-income homes · For older adults
- Woodside Village III HUD-assisted 60B Village Rd, Vineyard Haven 02568 9 low-income homes · For older adults
- Woodside Village IV HUD-assisted 55 Village Rd, Oak Bluffs 02557 9 low-income homes · For older adults
- Woodside Village Vi HUD-assisted 40 Village Rd, Vineyard Haven 02568 9 low-income homes · For older adults
- Greenough House for Elders Tax credit (LIHTC) 167 Main St, Vineyard Haven 6 low-income homes · Studio: 1 · 1 bd: 5 · In service since 1997
- Aidylberg I HUD-assisted 38 Wing Rd, Oak Bluffs 02557 5 low-income homes · For older adults
- Aidylberg II HUD-assisted 38 Wing Rd, Oak Bluffs 02557 5 low-income homes · For older adults
- Hillside Village III HUD-assisted 421 Edgartown Vineyard Haven Rd, Vineyard Haven 02568 5 low-income homes · For older adults
- Margaret C Love House HUD-assisted 159 Main St, Vineyard Haven 02568 5 low-income homes · For older adults
- Woodside Village V HUD-assisted 45 Village Rd, Vineyard Haven 02568 5 low-income homes · For older adults
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 Dukes 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 Dukes County; the state's agencies can help you. 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 | $34,300 | $57,100 | $74,800 |
| 2 people | $39,200 | $65,250 | $85,450 |
| 3 people | $44,100 | $73,400 | $96,150 |
| 4 people | $48,950 | $81,550 | $106,800 |
| 5 people | $52,900 | $88,100 | $115,350 |
| 6 people | $56,800 | $94,600 | $123,900 |
| 7 people | $60,700 | $101,150 | $132,450 |
| 8 people | $64,650 | $107,650 | $141,000 |
Area median income: $163,100. HUD income limits by family size, Fiscal year 2026. Area: Dukes County, MA. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2026
Possible payment standard
- Studio $1,315 – $1,607
- 1 bedroom $1,383 – $1,691
- 2 bedrooms $1,809 – $2,211
- 3 bedrooms $2,505 – $3,061
- 4 bedrooms $2,801 – $3,423
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 Dukes County. You can apply at another agency in your state: you do not have to live where you apply. Source: HUD
Source: HUD, Retrieved November 6, 2026
Your rights as a tenant in Massachusetts
What Massachusetts 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
- M.G.L. c. 186, §15B(1)(b)
- When must they return my deposit?
- 30 days
- M.G.L. c. 186, §15B(4)
- If I fall behind on rent, what notice must I get?
- 14 days
- M.G.L. c. 186, §11
- How much notice ends a month-to-month rental?
- 30 days
- M.G.L. c. 186, §12
- Only a court order can remove youM.G.L. c. 186, §15F
- Protection from retaliationM.G.L. c. 186, §18
- Repair and deduct from the rentM.G.L. c. 111, §127L
Help
Where to get help with rent in Dukes County
This is the nearest HUD-approved agency. They counsel for free or at low cost.
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Housing Assistance Corp.
460 W Main St, Hyannis · 27 miles away
- Mortgage delinquency and default
- Budget and financial counseling
- and 9 more
Tool
How much cash do you need to move in?
It starts with the 2-bedroom fair market rent in Dukes 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 Massachusetts, the average home bill was $167 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
$4,020
What you need before you get the keys.
What adds up
- First month
- $2,010
- Security deposit
- $2,010
- Total
- $4,020
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 Dukes County?
According to HUD (Fiscal year 2027): Studio: $1,461; 1 bedroom: $1,537; 2 bedrooms: $2,010; 3 bedrooms: $2,783; 4 bedrooms: $3,112. It covers rent plus basic utilities, except the phone.
How much do you need to earn to rent in Dukes County?
Paying the 2-bedroom fair market rent ($2,010) without spending more than 30% of income takes $38.65 an hour full time, or $80,400 a year.
Who qualifies for Section 8 in Dukes County?
Generally, families with very low income: no more than 50% of the area median income. For 4 people, HUD's limit here is $81,550 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 Dukes 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 $1,809 and $2,211 a month. Your agency publishes its figure.
Does the fair market rent change by ZIP code in Dukes County?
For 2 bedrooms they run from $1,930 in 02713 to $2,850 in 02575. 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 Dukes County?
HUD lists 13 properties with homes for low-income households in Dukes 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 Dukes County?
HUD counts rent as a burden when it reaches 30% of income or more. In Dukes County, 47% of renter households are in that position; in Massachusetts, 52%, and nationwide, 51% (Average 2020–2024, Census).