Renting · Section 8
Data from November 2026
Renting in Rice County, Minnesota
Rice County has a HUD fair market rent of $1,226 a month for 2 bedrooms (Fiscal year 2027). Renter households here pay a typical rent of $1,083 a month (Average 2020–2024). Paying the fair market rent without going over 30% of income takes $23.58 an hour, full time.
Four numbers to start with
- Fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
- $1,226
- a month, HUD, Fiscal year 2027
- 19% less than in Minnesota
- Typical rent
- $1,083
- a month, Census, Average 2020–2024
- 15% less than in Minnesota
- Wage needed
- $23.58
- an hour, 2 bedrooms
- Or $49,040 a year, to spend no more than 30% of income on rent.
- Rent-burdened households
- 45%
- spend 30% or more of income on rent
- 7% less than in Minnesota
Only here
Renting in Rice County: what sets it apart
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
-
Nearby, in Waseca County, the typical rent is $883: 18% less than in Rice County ($1,083).
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 Rice 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 Rice County was $1,579 a month in September 2026: 4.7% more than 12 months ago. 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 | $931 | $17.90 | $37,240 |
| 1 bedroom | $937 | $18.02 | $37,480 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,226 | $23.58 | $49,040 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,621 | $31.17 | $64,840 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,049 | $39.40 | $81,960 |
HUD area: Rice County, MN. 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 15 ZIP codes in Rice County (Fiscal year 2027). Type yours to see it.
For 2 bedrooms they run from $1,240 in 55021 to $1,760 in 55019. 15 ZIP codes are above the county's fair market rent ($1,226).
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)
| 55019 | Rice County, MN | $1,340 | $1,350 | $1,760 | $2,330 | $2,940 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 55021 | Rice County, MN | $940 | $950 | $1,240 | $1,640 | $2,070 |
| 55021 | Steele County, MN | $940 | $950 | $1,240 | $1,640 | $2,070 |
| 55046 | Rice County, MN | $1,070 | $1,080 | $1,410 | $1,840 | $2,360 |
| 55052 | Rice County, MN | $980 | $990 | $1,290 | $1,710 | $2,150 |
| 55052 | Steele County, MN | $980 | $990 | $1,290 | $1,710 | $2,150 |
| 55052 | Waseca County, MN | $980 | $990 | $1,290 | $1,710 | $2,150 |
| 55053 | Goodhue County, MN | $1,180 | $1,220 | $1,580 | $2,100 | $2,640 |
| 55053 | Rice County, MN | $1,180 | $1,220 | $1,580 | $2,100 | $2,640 |
| 55057 | Goodhue County, MN | $1,120 | $1,270 | $1,540 | $2,040 | $2,280 |
| 55057 | Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $1,120 | $1,270 | $1,540 | $2,040 | $2,280 |
| 55057 | Rice County, MN | $1,120 | $1,270 | $1,540 | $2,040 | $2,280 |
| 55087 | Rice County, MN | $970 | $980 | $1,280 | $1,700 | $2,140 |
| 55088 | Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $1,120 | $1,270 | $1,540 | $2,040 | $2,280 |
| 55088 | Rice County, MN | $1,120 | $1,270 | $1,540 | $2,040 | $2,280 |
- 55019 · Rice County, MN $1,760$2,330
- 55021 · Rice County, MN $1,240$1,640
- 55021 · Steele County, MN $1,240$1,640
- 55046 · Rice County, MN $1,410$1,840
- 55052 · Rice County, MN $1,290$1,710
- 55052 · Steele County, MN $1,290$1,710
- 55052 · Waseca County, MN $1,290$1,710
- 55053 · Goodhue County, MN $1,580$2,100
- 55053 · Rice County, MN $1,580$2,100
- 55057 · Goodhue County, MN $1,540$2,040
- 55057 · Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $1,540$2,040
- 55057 · Rice County, MN $1,540$2,040
- 55087 · Rice County, MN $1,280$1,700
- 55088 · Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $1,540$2,040
- 55088 · Rice County, MN $1,540$2,040
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 Rice County, 45% of renter households are in that position; in Minnesota, 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.
5,575 households rent in Rice County
- Spend half or more of their income 20%
- Spend 30% or more, but less than half 24%
- Spend less than 30% 55%
Compared with the state and the country
- Rice 45%
- Minnesota 48%
- United States 51%
Low-income apartments
Low-income apartments in Rice County
HUD lists 23 properties with homes for low-income households in Rice County: tax-credit apartments (LIHTC) and HUD-assisted buildings. They run from the most low-income homes to the fewest.
- with tax credits (LIHTC)
- 12
- HUD-assisted
- 11
1,093 homes in all; 940 of them low-income, according to HUD.
- Greenvale Place HUD-assisted 201 Greenvale Ave W, Northfield 55057 96 low-income homes · For families · (507) 645-8809
- Golden Meadows Apts. HUD-assisted 1415 Prairie Ave SW, Faribault 55021 90 low-income homes · For older adults · (507) 332-8181
- Three Links Apartments HUD-assisted 805 Forest Ave, Northfield 55057 84 homes, 82 low-income · For older adults · (507) 664-8850
- Northfield Manor HUD-assisted 901 Cannon Valley Dr W, Northfield 55057 64 low-income homes · For older adults · (507) 645-9090
- Greenwood Place HUD-assisted 901 Greenwood Pl, Faribault 55021 51 low-income homes · For families · (507) 334-3657
- Robinwood Manor HUD-assisted 1324 Prairie Ave SW, Faribault 55021 51 homes, 50 low-income · For older adults · (507) 334-8707
- Jefferson Square HUD-assisted 1356 Jefferson Rd, Northfield 55057 50 low-income homes · For families · (507) 645-6327
- Jefferson Square Tax credit (LIHTC) Multiple Building Addresses, Northfield 55057 50 homes, 49 low-income · 2 bd: 16 · 3 bd: 30 · 4 bd: 4 · In service since 2011
- North - South Oak Apartments Tax credit (LIHTC) 600 Spring St N, Northfield 55057 43 homes, 42 low-income · 1 bd: 23 · 2 bd: 20 · In service since 2017 · For people with disabilities
- Village at Park Avenue Tax credit (LIHTC) Multiple Building Addresses, Faribault 55021 40 low-income homes · 2 bd: 10 · 3 bd: 30 · In service since 1997
- Village Green Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 810 Conliffe Ave SW, Faribault 55021 36 low-income homes · In service since 1993
- 2 Rivers Apartments (fka Park Ave Apts) Tax credit (LIHTC) 2426 Park Ave NW, Faribault 55021 30 low-income homes · 1 bd: 4 · 2 bd: 23 · 3 bd: 3 · In service since 1992
- Prairiewood Townhomes Tax credit (LIHTC) Multiple Building Addresses, Faribault 55021 30 low-income homes · 2 bd: 2 · 3 bd: 22 · 4 bd: 6 · In service since 2014 · For people with disabilities, families
- ST. Lucas Riverside Apartments, Inc HUD-assisted 501 1st St SE, Faribault 55021 30 low-income homes · For older adults · (507) 334-7848
- Wellstone Commons aka Greenvale HUD-assisted 408 Spring St N, Northfield 55057 30 homes, 29 low-income · For older adults · (507) 645-4146
- Spring Creek Townhomes Tax credit (LIHTC) Multiple Building Addresses., Northfield 55057 28 low-income homes · 2 bd: 4 · 3 bd: 20 · 4 bd: 4 · In service since 2013 · For people with disabilities, families
- Parkway Townhomes Tax credit (LIHTC) Multiple Building Addresses, Northfield 55057 32 homes, 25 low-income · 2 bd: 19 · 3 bd: 6 · In service since 1996
- Park Central Apartments Tax credit (LIHTC) 521 4th Ave NW, Faribault 55021 24 low-income homes · In service since 1993
- Spring Court Tax credit (LIHTC) Multiple Building Addresses, Faribault 55021 24 low-income homes · In service since 1993
- Summerfield Apartments Tax credit (LIHTC) Multiple Building Addresses, Northfield 55057 112 homes, 23 low-income · Studio: 10 · 1 bd: 40 · 2 bd: 59 · 3 bd: 3 · In service since 2004
- Park Ridge Apartments HUD-assisted 905 Forest Ave, Northfield 55057 20 low-income homes · For older adults · (507) 664-8850
- Sunshine Apartments Tax credit (LIHTC) Multiple Building Addresses, Morristown 55052 14 low-income homes · In service since 1992
- Towns Edge Apartments HUD-assisted 851 Faribault Rd, Faribault 55021 64 homes, 13 low-income · For families · (507) 332-7650
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 Rice 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 Rice 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 | $22,750 | $37,950 | $60,700 |
| 2 people | $26,000 | $43,400 | $69,400 |
| 3 people | $29,250 | $48,800 | $78,050 |
| 4 people | $33,000 | $54,200 | $86,700 |
| 5 people | $38,680 | $58,550 | $93,650 |
| 6 people | $44,360 | $62,900 | $100,600 |
| 7 people | $50,040 | $67,250 | $107,550 |
| 8 people | $55,720 | $71,550 | $114,450 |
Area median income: $108,400. HUD income limits by family size, Fiscal year 2026. Area: Rice County, MN. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2026
Possible payment standard
- Studio $838 – $1,024
- 1 bedroom $843 – $1,031
- 2 bedrooms $1,103 – $1,349
- 3 bedrooms $1,459 – $1,783
- 4 bedrooms $1,844 – $2,254
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
- Rice County Hra Section 8 vouchers · 408 vouchers (507) 333-3782 Rice County Hra: RCHousing@RiceCountyMN.gov
- Housing & Redevelopment Authority Of Faribault Public housing (507) 334-2222
Housing agencies in Minnesota Source: HUD, Retrieved November 6, 2026
Your rights as a tenant in Minnesota
What Minnesota 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?
- 21 days
- Minn. Stat. §504B.178, subd. 3(a)
- If I fall behind on rent, what notice must I get?
- 14 days
- Minn. Stat. §504B.321, subd. 1a(a)
- Only a court order can remove youMinn. Stat. §504B.375, subd. 1
- Protection from retaliationMinn. Stat. §504B.441
Help
Where to get help with rent in Rice County
These are the nearest HUD-approved agencies. They counsel for free or at low cost.
-
Three Rivers Community Action, Inc.
1414 Northstar Dr, Zumbrota · 31 miles away · Spanish
Also serves in other languages.
- Pre-purchase counseling
- Homebuyer education workshops
-
Scott County Community Development Agency
100 5th Ave E, Shakopee · 33 miles away · Spanish
- Mortgage delinquency and default
- Pre-purchase counseling
- and 1 more
-
Dakota County Community Development Agency
1228 Town Centre Dr, Eagan · 34 miles away
- Mortgage delinquency and default
- Budget and financial counseling
- and 2 more
Rental assistance programs
The ones that serve in Rice County or the whole state, with what each page says about being open.
-
Renter's Credit
Run by Minnesota Department of Revenue
Minnesota refundable credit for renters, claimed on the state tax return; it can be claimed with a Social Security number or an ITIN
Up to $2,720
See details
Tool
How much cash do you need to move in?
It starts with the 2-bedroom fair market rent in Rice 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 Minnesota, the average home bill was $110 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
$2,452
What you need before you get the keys.
What adds up
- First month
- $1,226
- Security deposit
- $1,226
- Total
- $2,452
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 Rice County?
According to HUD (Fiscal year 2027): Studio: $931; 1 bedroom: $937; 2 bedrooms: $1,226; 3 bedrooms: $1,621; 4 bedrooms: $2,049. It covers rent plus basic utilities, except the phone.
How much do you need to earn to rent in Rice County?
Paying the 2-bedroom fair market rent ($1,226) without spending more than 30% of income takes $23.58 an hour full time, or $49,040 a year.
Who qualifies for Section 8 in Rice County?
Generally, families with very low income: no more than 50% of the area median income. For 4 people, HUD's limit here is $54,200 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 Rice 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 $1,103 and $1,349 a month. Your agency publishes its figure.
Does the fair market rent change by ZIP code in Rice County?
For 2 bedrooms they run from $1,240 in 55021 to $1,760 in 55019. 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 Rice County?
HUD lists 23 properties with homes for low-income households in Rice 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 Rice County?
HUD counts rent as a burden when it reaches 30% of income or more. In Rice County, 45% of renter households are in that position; in Minnesota, 48%, and nationwide, 51% (Average 2020–2024, Census).