Renting · Section 8
Data from November 2026
Renting in Bolivar County, Mississippi
Bolivar County has a HUD fair market rent of $905 a month for 2 bedrooms (Fiscal year 2027). Renter households here pay a typical rent of $685 a month (Average 2020–2024). Paying the fair market rent without going over 30% of income takes $17.40 an hour, full time.
Four numbers to start with
- Fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
- $905
- a month, HUD, Fiscal year 2027
- 17% less than in Mississippi
- Typical rent
- $685
- a month, Census, Average 2020–2024
- 28% less than in Mississippi
- Wage needed
- $17.40
- an hour, 2 bedrooms
- Or $36,200 a year, to spend no more than 30% of income on rent.
- Rent-burdened households
- 58%
- spend 30% or more of income on rent
- 14% more than in Mississippi
Only here
Renting in Bolivar County: what sets it apart
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
-
Bolivar County has the 7th largest share of rent-burdened renters of the 73 counties in Mississippi with this figure (58%).
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 Bolivar 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 | $687 | $13.21 | $27,480 |
| 1 bedroom | $692 | $13.31 | $27,680 |
| 2 bedrooms | $905 | $17.40 | $36,200 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,185 | $22.79 | $47,400 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,189 | $22.87 | $47,560 |
HUD area: Bolivar County, MS. 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 20 ZIP codes in Bolivar County (Fiscal year 2027). Type yours to see it.
For 2 bedrooms they run from $910 in 38746 to $1,120 in 38730. 20 ZIP codes are above the county's fair market rent ($905).
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)
| 38725 | Bolivar County, MS | $710 | $770 | $960 | $1,290 | $1,380 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 38726 | Bolivar County, MS | $730 | $740 | $970 | $1,270 | $1,290 |
| 38730 | Bolivar County, MS | $850 | $860 | $1,120 | $1,470 | $1,470 |
| 38732 | Bolivar County, MS | $730 | $730 | $960 | $1,260 | $1,260 |
| 38732 | Sunflower County, MS | $730 | $730 | $960 | $1,260 | $1,260 |
| 38733 | Bolivar County, MS | $730 | $730 | $960 | $1,260 | $1,260 |
| 38740 | Bolivar County, MS | $700 | $700 | $920 | $1,200 | $1,210 |
| 38746 | Bolivar County, MS | $690 | $690 | $910 | $1,180 | $1,190 |
| 38759 | Bolivar County, MS | $700 | $710 | $930 | $1,220 | $1,230 |
| 38759 | Sunflower County, MS | $700 | $710 | $930 | $1,220 | $1,230 |
| 38762 | Bolivar County, MS | $690 | $700 | $910 | $1,190 | $1,200 |
| 38762 | Sunflower County, MS | $690 | $700 | $910 | $1,190 | $1,200 |
| 38764 | Bolivar County, MS | $690 | $690 | $910 | $1,180 | $1,190 |
| 38769 | Bolivar County, MS | $690 | $690 | $910 | $1,180 | $1,190 |
| 38772 | Bolivar County, MS | $820 | $940 | $1,030 | $1,430 | $1,720 |
| 38773 | Bolivar County, MS | $680 | $700 | $910 | $1,200 | $1,280 |
| 38773 | Sunflower County, MS | $680 | $700 | $910 | $1,200 | $1,280 |
| 38773 | Washington County, MS | $680 | $700 | $910 | $1,200 | $1,280 |
| 38774 | Bolivar County, MS | $690 | $690 | $910 | $1,180 | $1,190 |
| 38781 | Bolivar County, MS | $690 | $690 | $910 | $1,180 | $1,190 |
- 38725 · Bolivar County, MS $960$1,290
- 38726 · Bolivar County, MS $970$1,270
- 38730 · Bolivar County, MS $1,120$1,470
- 38732 · Bolivar County, MS $960$1,260
- 38732 · Sunflower County, MS $960$1,260
- 38733 · Bolivar County, MS $960$1,260
- 38740 · Bolivar County, MS $920$1,200
- 38746 · Bolivar County, MS $910$1,180
- 38759 · Bolivar County, MS $930$1,220
- 38759 · Sunflower County, MS $930$1,220
- 38762 · Bolivar County, MS $910$1,190
- 38762 · Sunflower County, MS $910$1,190
- 38764 · Bolivar County, MS $910$1,180
- 38769 · Bolivar County, MS $910$1,180
- 38772 · Bolivar County, MS $1,030$1,430
- 38773 · Bolivar County, MS $910$1,200
- 38773 · Sunflower County, MS $910$1,200
- 38773 · Washington County, MS $910$1,200
- 38774 · Bolivar County, MS $910$1,180
- 38781 · Bolivar County, MS $910$1,180
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 Bolivar County, 58% of renter households are in that position; in Mississippi, 51%, 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.
58%
of renter households spend 30% or more of their income on rent.
4,451 households rent in Bolivar County
- Spend half or more of their income 29%
- Spend 30% or more, but less than half 29%
- Spend less than 30% 42%
Compared with the state and the country
- Bolivar 58%
- Mississippi 51%
- United States 51%
Low-income apartments
Low-income apartments in Bolivar County
HUD lists 28 properties with homes for low-income households in Bolivar 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)
- 17
- HUD-assisted
- 12
- public housing
- 1
1,346 homes in all; 1,320 of them low-income, according to HUD.
- Sunset Village HUD-assisted 900 White St, Cleveland 38732 136 low-income homes · For families · (662) 843-9823
- Eastgate Redevelopment Tax credit (LIHTC) 1100 Cross St, Cleveland 38732 116 low-income homes · 3 bd: 53 · 4 bd: 63 · In service since 2018
- B T Green Homes Public housing 416 Martin Luther King St, Mound Bayou 38762 100 low-income homes · Run by The Housing Authority of the City of Mound Bayou · Average payment: $375 a month · Average wait: 31 months · Homes at several sites · (662) 430-5110
- Rosewood Apts HUD-assisted 1106 Old Peavine Rd, Rosedale 38769 80 low-income homes · For older adults · (662) 759-6450
- Camellia Apartments Tax credit (LIHTC) · HUD-assisted 1300 Cross St, Cleveland 38732 72 low-income homes · 1 bd: 60 · 2 bd: 12 · In service since 2018 · For older adults · (601) 843-9933
- Carpenter Estates Tax credit (LIHTC) 312 W Carpenter St, Cleveland 38732 72 low-income homes · 2 bd: 40 · 3 bd: 32 · In service since 2005 · For people with disabilities, families
- Bolivar Homes Tax credit (LIHTC) 1009 Elm St, Cleveland 38732 65 low-income homes · 3 bd: 65 · In service since 2008
- Cleveland PCH Residential Living Tax credit (LIHTC) 800 3rd St, Cleveland 38732 85 homes, 63 low-income · Studio: 79 · 1 bd: 8 · In service since 2004
- South Central Village of the Elderly Tax credit (LIHTC) · HUD-assisted 609 Glassco St, Cleveland 38732 61 homes, 60 low-income · 1 bd: 52 · 2 bd: 8 · In service since 2020 · For older adults · (601) 846-0784
- Promised Land HUD-assisted 101 Issaqunea Aveune, Shaw 38773 59 low-income homes · For families · (601) 754-6927
- Church Garden Apts HUD-assisted 500 Church Street, Shelby 38774 50 low-income homes · For people with disabilities · (601) 398-5099
- United Family Life Village I Tax credit (LIHTC) 300 Floyd Womack Jr, Cleveland 38732 44 low-income homes · 1 bd: 6 · 2 bd: 24 · 3 bd: 14 · In service since 2008 · For families
- Herdy Micou Homes for the Elderly HUD-assisted PO Box 792, Mound Bayou 38762 40 low-income homes · For older adults · (601) 741-2052
- United Family Life Village III Tax credit (LIHTC) 1769 Pearman Rd, Cleveland 38732 40 low-income homes · 2 bd: 24 · 3 bd: 16 · In service since 2011 · For people with disabilities
- Turntable Place Tax credit (LIHTC) 135 Turntable Pl, Cleveland 38732 40 homes, 39 low-income · 3 bd: 20 · 4 bd: 19 · In service since 2011 · For people with disabilities, families
- Bolivar Estates Tax credit (LIHTC) 118 Turntable Pl, Cleveland 38732 38 homes, 37 low-income · 3 bd: 22 · 4 bd: 15 · In service since 2006 · For people with disabilities
- United Family Life Village II Tax credit (LIHTC) 1769 Pearman Rd, Cleveland 38732 36 low-income homes · 2 bd: 4 · 3 bd: 32 · In service since 2011 · For people with disabilities
- M.H. Winston Community Apartments HUD-assisted 301 South J.F.K. Avenue, Winstonville 38781 28 low-income homes · For older adults · (601) 398-7141
- Delta Partners Manor I HUD-assisted 1301 Church St, Shelby 38774 27 low-income homes · For older adults · (662) 398-7141
- Eddie Johnson Estates Tax credit (LIHTC) 600 N Edwards Ave, Mound Bayou 38762 24 low-income homes · 1 bd: 2 · 2 bd: 12 · 3 bd: 2 · In service since 2008 · For people with disabilities
- Rosedale Manor Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 404 Brown St, Rosedale 38769 24 low-income homes · 1 bd: 20 · 2 bd: 4 · In service since 2000 · For older adults, people with disabilities
- Shelby Apartments HUD-assisted 1300 Kennedy Street, Shelby 38774 24 low-income homes · For families · (601) 398-7674
- Issac Daniel Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 312 Isaac Ave, Mound Bayou 38762 22 low-income homes · 2 bd: 22 · In service since 1993 · For older adults
- Kimball Glassco Residential Center HUD-assisted Tims Avenue and Pulaski Street, Boyle 38730 15 homes, 14 low-income · For people with disabilities · (662) 843-7450
- Beulah Apt Homes Tax credit (LIHTC) 252N Railroad, Beulah 38726 12 low-income homes · 3 bd: 12 · In service since 1995 · For families
- Duncan Apt Homes Tax credit (LIHTC) 204 Pecan St, Duncan 38740 12 low-income homes · 3 bd: 12 · In service since 1996
- Paul Braswell Residential Center HUD-assisted 1015 White St, Cleveland 38732 12 low-income homes · For people with disabilities · (662) 563-6248
- Rosedale Apt Homes Tax credit (LIHTC) 26 Gibson Swamp Rd, Rosedale 38769 12 low-income homes · 3 bd: 12 · In service since 1995 · For families
2 properties have two programs at the same address and appear once. Search HUD's map
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 Bolivar 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 Bolivar 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
-
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)
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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 | $15,960 | $25,200 | $40,350 |
| 2 people | $21,640 | $28,800 | $46,100 |
| 3 people | $27,320 | $32,400 | $51,850 |
| 4 people | $33,000 | $36,000 | $57,600 |
| 5 people | $38,680 | $38,900 | $62,250 |
| 6 people | $41,800 | $41,800 | $66,850 |
| 7 people | $44,650 | $44,650 | $71,450 |
| 8 people | $47,550 | $47,550 | $76,050 |
Area median income: $54,100. HUD income limits by family size, Fiscal year 2026. Area: Bolivar County, MS. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2026
Possible payment standard
- Studio $618 – $756
- 1 bedroom $623 – $761
- 2 bedrooms $815 – $996
- 3 bedrooms $1,067 – $1,304
- 4 bedrooms $1,070 – $1,308
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
- The Housing Authority of the City of Mound Bayou Public housing · 100 public housing units (662) 430-5110 The Housing Authority of the City of Mound Bayou: rhondahuey@yahoo.com
- The Housing Authority of the City of Shelby Public housing (662) 398-7141
Housing agencies in Mississippi Source: HUD, Retrieved November 6, 2026
Your rights as a tenant in Mississippi
What Mississippi 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
- Miss. Code Ann. §89-8-21(3)
- If I fall behind on rent, what notice must I get?
- 3 days
- Miss. Code Ann. §89-8-13(5)(a)
- How much notice ends a month-to-month rental?
- 30 days
- Miss. Code Ann. §89-8-19(3)
- Repair and deduct from the rentMiss. Code Ann. §89-8-15(1)
Help
Where to get help with rent in Bolivar County
This is the nearest HUD-approved agency. They counsel for free or at low cost.
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Southern Bancorp Community Partners
875 S State St, Clarksdale · 32 miles away
- Mortgage delinquency and default
- Budget and financial counseling
- and 6 more
Tool
How much cash do you need to move in?
It starts with the 2-bedroom fair market rent in Bolivar 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 Mississippi, the average home bill was $155 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
$1,810
What you need before you get the keys.
What adds up
- First month
- $905
- Security deposit
- $905
- Total
- $1,810
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 Bolivar County?
According to HUD (Fiscal year 2027): Studio: $687; 1 bedroom: $692; 2 bedrooms: $905; 3 bedrooms: $1,185; 4 bedrooms: $1,189. It covers rent plus basic utilities, except the phone.
How much do you need to earn to rent in Bolivar County?
Paying the 2-bedroom fair market rent ($905) without spending more than 30% of income takes $17.40 an hour full time, or $36,200 a year.
Who qualifies for Section 8 in Bolivar County?
Generally, families with very low income: no more than 50% of the area median income. For 4 people, HUD's limit here is $36,000 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 Bolivar 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 $815 and $996 a month. Your agency publishes its figure.
Does the fair market rent change by ZIP code in Bolivar County?
For 2 bedrooms they run from $910 in 38746 to $1,120 in 38730. 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 Bolivar County?
HUD lists 28 properties with homes for low-income households in Bolivar 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 Bolivar County?
HUD counts rent as a burden when it reaches 30% of income or more. In Bolivar County, 58% of renter households are in that position; in Mississippi, 51%, and nationwide, 51% (Average 2020–2024, Census).