Renting · Section 8
Data from November 2026
Renting in Stoddard County, Missouri
Stoddard County has a HUD fair market rent of $962 a month for 2 bedrooms (Fiscal year 2027). Renter households here pay a typical rent of $760 a month (Average 2020–2024). Paying the fair market rent without going over 30% of income takes $18.50 an hour, full time.
Four numbers to start with
- Fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
- $962
- a month, HUD, Fiscal year 2027
- 23% less than in Missouri
- Typical rent
- $760
- a month, Census, Average 2020–2024
- 26% less than in Missouri
- Wage needed
- $18.50
- an hour, 2 bedrooms
- Or $38,480 a year, to spend no more than 30% of income on rent.
- Rent-burdened households
- 30%
- spend 30% or more of income on rent
- 33% less than in Missouri
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 Stoddard 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 | $670 | $12.88 | $26,800 |
| 1 bedroom | $735 | $14.13 | $29,400 |
| 2 bedrooms | $962 | $18.50 | $38,480 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,281 | $24.63 | $51,240 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,286 | $24.73 | $51,440 |
HUD area: Stoddard County, MO. 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 16 ZIP codes in Stoddard County (Fiscal year 2027). Type yours to see it.
For 2 bedrooms they run from $960 in 63735 to $1,040 in 63936. 8 ZIP codes are above the county's fair market rent ($962).
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)
| 63730 | Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $700 | $760 | $980 | $1,320 | $1,500 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 63730 | Stoddard County, MO | $700 | $760 | $980 | $1,320 | $1,500 |
| 63735 | Scott County, MO | $670 | $740 | $960 | $1,280 | $1,290 |
| 63735 | Stoddard County, MO | $670 | $740 | $960 | $1,280 | $1,290 |
| 63738 | Stoddard County, MO | $670 | $740 | $960 | $1,280 | $1,290 |
| 63822 | Dunklin County, MO | $680 | $740 | $970 | $1,290 | $1,300 |
| 63822 | New Madrid County, MO | $680 | $740 | $970 | $1,290 | $1,300 |
| 63822 | Stoddard County, MO | $680 | $740 | $970 | $1,290 | $1,300 |
| 63825 | Stoddard County, MO | $680 | $740 | $970 | $1,290 | $1,300 |
| 63841 | Stoddard County, MO | $680 | $750 | $980 | $1,310 | $1,310 |
| 63846 | Stoddard County, MO | $670 | $740 | $960 | $1,280 | $1,290 |
| 63850 | Stoddard County, MO | $670 | $740 | $960 | $1,280 | $1,290 |
| 63936 | Stoddard County, MO | $720 | $800 | $1,040 | $1,390 | $1,390 |
| 63960 | Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $690 | $740 | $960 | $1,280 | $1,500 |
| 63960 | Stoddard County, MO | $690 | $740 | $960 | $1,280 | $1,500 |
| 63960 | Wayne County, MO | $690 | $740 | $960 | $1,280 | $1,500 |
- 63730 · Cape Girardeau, MO-IL $980$1,320
- 63730 · Stoddard County, MO $980$1,320
- 63735 · Scott County, MO $960$1,280
- 63735 · Stoddard County, MO $960$1,280
- 63738 · Stoddard County, MO $960$1,280
- 63822 · Dunklin County, MO $970$1,290
- 63822 · New Madrid County, MO $970$1,290
- 63822 · Stoddard County, MO $970$1,290
- 63825 · Stoddard County, MO $970$1,290
- 63841 · Stoddard County, MO $980$1,310
- 63846 · Stoddard County, MO $960$1,280
- 63850 · Stoddard County, MO $960$1,280
- 63936 · Stoddard County, MO $1,040$1,390
- 63960 · Cape Girardeau, MO-IL $960$1,280
- 63960 · Stoddard County, MO $960$1,280
- 63960 · Wayne County, MO $960$1,280
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 Stoddard County, 30% of renter households are in that position; in Missouri, 46%, 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.
30%
of renter households spend 30% or more of their income on rent.
3,265 households rent in Stoddard County
- Spend half or more of their income 13%
- Spend 30% or more, but less than half 18%
- Spend less than 30% 70%
Compared with the state and the country
- Stoddard 30%
- Missouri 46%
- United States 51%
Low-income apartments
Low-income apartments in Stoddard County
HUD lists 15 properties with homes for low-income households in Stoddard 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)
- 9
- HUD-assisted
- 5
- public housing
- 3
530 homes in all; 515 of them low-income, according to HUD.
- Dexter Public housing 115 E Sayre St, Dexter 63841 150 homes, 136 low-income · Run by Housing Authority of the City of Dexter · Average payment: $395 a month · Average wait: 8 months · (573) 624-2540
- Bernie Public housing 336 Bernie Housing, Bernie 63822 60 low-income homes · Run by Housing Authority of the City of Bernie · Average payment: $363 a month · Average wait: 2 months · (573) 293-5798
- Dexter Apts III Tax credit (LIHTC) · HUD-assisted 9A Apple Ct, Dexter 63841 50 low-income homes · 1 bd: 20 · 2 bd: 22 · 3 bd: 8 · In service since 2003 · For older adults · (573) 624-7451
- Bloomfield Public housing 424 Reed St, Bloomfield 63825 46 low-income homes · Run by Housing Authority of the City of Bloomfield · Average payment: $383 a month · Average wait: 2 months · (573) 568-2193
- Crossroads Court (dexter Elderly Housing) HUD-assisted 1309 W Business US Highway 60, Dexter 63841 40 homes, 39 low-income · For older adults · (573) 624-4444
- Dexter II Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) · HUD-assisted 51 Peach Ct, Dexter 63841 28 low-income homes · 1 bd: 10 · 2 bd: 12 · 3 bd: 6 · In service since 2004 · For families · (573) 624-7451
- Bell City Apartments HUD-assisted 354 Harper Ln, Bell City 63735 24 low-income homes · For families · (573) 733-4677
- Bell City Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 362 Harper Ln, Bell City 63735 24 low-income homes · 1 bd: 24 · In service since 2004
- Dexter Senior Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 1002 Hickory Log Dr, Dexter 63841 24 low-income homes · 1 bd: 24 · In service since 1999
- Advance Senior Citizens Apartments HUD-assisted 109 S Tilley St, Advance 63730 16 low-income homes · For older adults · (573) 722-3620
- Greenfield Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 522 Mulberry St, Bernie 63822 16 low-income homes · 1 bd: 4 · 2 bd: 12 · In service since 2002
- Hickory Villa II Tax credit (LIHTC) 1000 Hickory Villa Dr, Dexter 63841 16 low-income homes · 1 bd: 16 · In service since 1988
- Lockwood Court BLDG 1-4 Tax credit (LIHTC) 409 Lockwood Ct, Bloomfield 63825 16 low-income homes · 1 bd: 10 · 2 bd: 6 · In service since 1988
- Puxico Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 650 E Richardson Ave, Puxico 63960 16 low-income homes · 1 bd: 4 · 2 bd: 12 · In service since 1990
- Semo Apts I Tax credit (LIHTC) 308 E Court St, Bloomfield 63825 4 low-income homes · 2 bd: 4 · In service since 1993
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 Stoddard County
The Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) pays part of your rent on a home you choose. Your public housing agency runs it. 3 agencies serve in Stoddard 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 | $16,300 | $27,150 | $43,400 |
| 2 people | $21,640 | $31,000 | $49,600 |
| 3 people | $27,320 | $34,900 | $55,800 |
| 4 people | $33,000 | $38,750 | $62,000 |
| 5 people | $38,680 | $41,850 | $67,000 |
| 6 people | $44,360 | $44,950 | $71,950 |
| 7 people | $48,050 | $48,050 | $76,900 |
| 8 people | $51,150 | $51,150 | $81,850 |
Area median income: $76,700. HUD income limits by family size, Fiscal year 2026. Area: Stoddard County, MO. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2026
Possible payment standard
- Studio $603 – $737
- 1 bedroom $662 – $809
- 2 bedrooms $866 – $1,058
- 3 bedrooms $1,153 – $1,409
- 4 bedrooms $1,157 – $1,415
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
- Housing Authority of the City of Dexter Public housing · 136 public housing units (573) 624-2540 Housing Authority of the City of Dexter: director@dexterhousing.org
- Housing Authority of the City of Bernie Public housing · 60 public housing units (573) 293-5798 Housing Authority of the City of Bernie: bhousing@bpsnetworks.com
- Housing Authority of the City of Bloomfield Public housing · 46 public housing units (573) 568-2193 Housing Authority of the City of Bloomfield: BloomfieldHAuthority@gmail.com
Housing agencies in Missouri Source: HUD, Retrieved November 6, 2026
Your rights as a tenant in Missouri
What Missouri 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
- Mo. Rev. Stat. §535.300.1
- When must they return my deposit?
- 30 days
- Mo. Rev. Stat. §535.300.3
- Only a court order can remove youMo. Rev. Stat. §441.233.1
- Repair and deduct from the rentMo. Rev. Stat. §441.234.1-.2
Help
Where to get help with rent in Stoddard County
HUD lists no counseling agencies near in Stoddard County. Free legal aid and your housing agency can guide you.
Tool
How much cash do you need to move in?
It starts with the 2-bedroom fair market rent in Stoddard 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 Missouri, the average home bill was $129 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
$1,924
What you need before you get the keys.
What adds up
- First month
- $962
- Security deposit
- $962
- Total
- $1,924
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 Stoddard County?
According to HUD (Fiscal year 2027): Studio: $670; 1 bedroom: $735; 2 bedrooms: $962; 3 bedrooms: $1,281; 4 bedrooms: $1,286. It covers rent plus basic utilities, except the phone.
How much do you need to earn to rent in Stoddard County?
Paying the 2-bedroom fair market rent ($962) without spending more than 30% of income takes $18.50 an hour full time, or $38,480 a year.
Who qualifies for Section 8 in Stoddard County?
Generally, families with very low income: no more than 50% of the area median income. For 4 people, HUD's limit here is $38,750 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 Stoddard 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 $866 and $1,058 a month. Your agency publishes its figure.
Does the fair market rent change by ZIP code in Stoddard County?
For 2 bedrooms they run from $960 in 63735 to $1,040 in 63936. 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 Stoddard County?
HUD lists 15 properties with homes for low-income households in Stoddard 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 Stoddard County?
HUD counts rent as a burden when it reaches 30% of income or more. In Stoddard County, 30% of renter households are in that position; in Missouri, 46%, and nationwide, 51% (Average 2020–2024, Census).