Renting · Section 8
Data from November 2026
Renting in Belknap County, New Hampshire
Belknap County has a HUD fair market rent of $1,620 a month for 2 bedrooms (Fiscal year 2027). Renter households here pay a typical rent of $1,167 a month (Average 2020–2024). Paying the fair market rent without going over 30% of income takes $31.15 an hour, full time.
Four numbers to start with
- Fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
- $1,620
- a month, HUD, Fiscal year 2027
- 19% less than in New Hampshire
- Typical rent
- $1,167
- a month, Census, Average 2020–2024
- 22% less than in New Hampshire
- Wage needed
- $31.15
- an hour, 2 bedrooms
- Or $64,800 a year, to spend no more than 30% of income on rent.
- Rent-burdened households
- 50%
- spend 30% or more of income on rent
- 3% more than in New Hampshire
Only here
Renting in Belknap County: what sets it apart
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
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Belknap County has the lowest typical rent in its area: $1,167, less than any of its 6 neighboring counties; next is Carroll County ($1,195).
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 Belknap 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 Belknap County was $1,956 a month in September 2026: 3% 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 | $1,117 | $21.48 | $44,680 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,283 | $24.67 | $51,320 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,620 | $31.15 | $64,800 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,136 | $41.08 | $85,440 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,409 | $46.33 | $96,360 |
HUD area: Belknap County, NH. 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 17 ZIP codes in Belknap County (Fiscal year 2027). Type yours to see it.
For 2 bedrooms they run from $1,620 in 03246 to $1,980 in 03809. 14 ZIP codes are above the county's fair market rent ($1,620).
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)
| 03218 | Belknap County, NH | $1,360 | $1,540 | $1,950 | $2,600 | $2,890 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 03220 | Belknap County, NH | $1,230 | $1,360 | $1,780 | $2,350 | $2,410 |
| 03220 | Merrimack County, NH | $1,230 | $1,360 | $1,780 | $2,350 | $2,410 |
| 03225 | Belknap County, NH | $1,190 | $1,330 | $1,690 | $2,200 | $2,410 |
| 03226 | Belknap County, NH | $1,420 | $1,530 | $1,980 | $2,620 | $2,950 |
| 03226 | Carroll County, NH | $1,420 | $1,530 | $1,980 | $2,620 | $2,950 |
| 03237 | Belknap County, NH | $1,230 | $1,360 | $1,780 | $2,350 | $2,410 |
| 03237 | Merrimack County, NH | $1,230 | $1,360 | $1,780 | $2,350 | $2,410 |
| 03246 | Belknap County, NH | $1,140 | $1,290 | $1,620 | $2,170 | $2,410 |
| 03249 | Belknap County, NH | $1,200 | $1,380 | $1,740 | $2,150 | $2,590 |
| 03253 | Belknap County, NH | $1,190 | $1,360 | $1,720 | $2,160 | $2,560 |
| 03256 | Belknap County, NH | $1,220 | $1,300 | $1,680 | $2,240 | $2,410 |
| 03269 | Belknap County, NH | $1,190 | $1,350 | $1,700 | $2,280 | $2,480 |
| 03809 | Belknap County, NH | $1,450 | $1,510 | $1,980 | $2,430 | $2,650 |
| 03809 | Portsmouth-Rochester, NH | $1,450 | $1,510 | $1,980 | $2,430 | $2,650 |
| 03810 | Belknap County, NH | $1,140 | $1,290 | $1,620 | $2,170 | $2,410 |
| 03837 | Belknap County, NH | $1,140 | $1,290 | $1,620 | $2,170 | $2,420 |
- 03218 · Belknap County, NH $1,950$2,600
- 03220 · Belknap County, NH $1,780$2,350
- 03220 · Merrimack County, NH $1,780$2,350
- 03225 · Belknap County, NH $1,690$2,200
- 03226 · Belknap County, NH $1,980$2,620
- 03226 · Carroll County, NH $1,980$2,620
- 03237 · Belknap County, NH $1,780$2,350
- 03237 · Merrimack County, NH $1,780$2,350
- 03246 · Belknap County, NH $1,620$2,170
- 03249 · Belknap County, NH $1,740$2,150
- 03253 · Belknap County, NH $1,720$2,160
- 03256 · Belknap County, NH $1,680$2,240
- 03269 · Belknap County, NH $1,700$2,280
- 03809 · Belknap County, NH $1,980$2,430
- 03809 · Portsmouth-Rochester, NH $1,980$2,430
- 03810 · Belknap County, NH $1,620$2,170
- 03837 · Belknap County, NH $1,620$2,170
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 Belknap County, 50% of renter households are in that position; in New Hampshire, 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.
50%
of renter households spend 30% or more of their income on rent.
5,240 households rent in Belknap County
- Spend half or more of their income 25%
- Spend 30% or more, but less than half 25%
- Spend less than 30% 50%
Compared with the state and the country
- Belknap 50%
- New Hampshire 48%
- United States 51%
Low-income apartments
Low-income apartments in Belknap County
HUD lists 32 properties with homes for low-income households in Belknap County: tax-credit apartments (LIHTC) and HUD-assisted buildings. They run from the most low-income homes to the fewest.
- with tax credits (LIHTC)
- 18
- HUD-assisted
- 14
1,189 homes in all; 890 of them low-income, according to HUD.
- Mason Lakes/ Wingate Tax credit (LIHTC) 103 Blueberry Ln, Laconia 100 low-income homes · 1 bd: 12 · 2 bd: 44 · 3 bd: 44 · In service since 2003 · For families
- Lake Village Tax credit (LIHTC) 765 Union Ave, Laconia 75 low-income homes · 1 bd: 70 · 2 bd: 5 · In service since 2004 · For older adults
- Lake Village Apartments HUD-assisted 140 Mechanic St, Laconia 03246 75 low-income homes · For older adults
- New Franklin Apartments/60 HUD-assisted 380 W Main St, Tilton 03276 60 low-income homes · For older adults
- Scott Mill Tax credit (LIHTC) 22 Strafford St, Laconia 60 homes, 50 low-income · In service since 2006 · For families
- Hillside Apartments HUD-assisted 23 Gould Ave, Meredith 03253 50 low-income homes · For older adults
- The Tavern Tax credit (LIHTC) 7 Church St, Laconia 50 homes, 48 low-income · 1 bd: 50 · In service since 1999
- Heritage Terrace HUD-assisted 22 Heritage Ter, Belmont 03220 40 low-income homes · For older adults
- Perley Pond Townhouses HUD-assisted 57 Blueberry Ln, Laconia 03246 35 low-income homes · For families
- Boynton Tax credit (LIHTC) 31 Boynton Rd, Meredith 32 low-income homes · 1 bd: 3 · 2 bd: 17 · 3 bd: 12 · In service since 2009 · For families
- Maple Hill Acres Tax credit (LIHTC) 7 Cedar Hill Dr, Belmont 32 low-income homes · 2 bd: 16 · 3 bd: 16 · In service since 2008 · For families
- River's Edge Apartments Tax credit (LIHTC) 126 Union Ave, Laconia 32 low-income homes · 1 bd: 12 · 2 bd: 20 · In service since 2016 · For families
- Victoria Woods Tax credit (LIHTC) 16 Charlevoix Pl, Laconia 27 low-income homes · In service since 1993
- Prospect View HUD-assisted 13 Spruce Ter, Alton 03809 26 low-income homes · For older adults
- Gilford Village Knoll II Tax credit (LIHTC) 41 Potter Hill Rd, Gilford 24 low-income homes · In service since 2006 · For older adults
- Gliford Village Knolls III Tax credit (LIHTC) 39 Potter Hill Rd, Gilford 24 homes, 22 low-income · 1 bd: 24 · In service since 2018 · For older adults
- Wingate Village HUD-assisted 103 Blueberry Ln, Laconia 03246 100 homes, 20 low-income · For families
- Lochmere Meadows II Tax credit (LIHTC) 1 Lochmere Cir, Tilton 19 low-income homes · 2 bd: 19 · In service since 2013 · For families
- Millview Tax credit (LIHTC) 117 Union Ave, Laconia 18 low-income homes · 1 bd: 5 · 2 bd: 9 · 3 bd: 4 · In service since 2004 · For families
- Pine Hill Tax credit (LIHTC) 371 S Main St, Laconia 18 low-income homes · 2 bd: 3 · 3 bd: 13 · 4 bd: 2 · In service since 1998
- Mill Knoll Tax credit (LIHTC) 325 W Main St, Tilton 17 low-income homes · 1 bd: 2 · 2 bd: 9 · 3 bd: 5 · 4 bd: 1 · In service since 1997
- Mill Knoll Village HUD-assisted 329 W Main St, Tilton 03276 17 low-income homes · For families · (603) 641-2163
- Avery Hill Tax credit (LIHTC) 30 Grove St, Laconia 14 low-income homes · 3 bd: 8 · 4 bd: 6 · In service since 1997
- Sandy Ledge Housing Tax credit (LIHTC) 124 Concord St, Belmont 11 low-income homes · 2 bd: 4 · 3 bd: 7 · In service since 2003 · For families
- Normandin Square HUD-assisted 22 Strafford St, Laconia 03246 60 homes, 10 low-income · (603) 737-2215
- Mechanic School Tax credit (LIHTC) 19 Hawthorne St, Laconia 6 low-income homes · In service since 2006 · For families
- LACLT Scattered Sites HUD-assisted 21 Winter St, Laconia 03246 57 homes, 5 low-income · (603) 224-9221
- Newfound River Apartments HUD-assisted 368 Nh Route 104, New Hampton 03256 29 homes, 3 low-income · (603) 223-0810
- Rivers Edge HUD-assisted 126 Union Ave, Laconia 03246 31 homes, 2 low-income · (603) 224-9221
- Mill View HUD-assisted 117 Union Ave, Laconia 03246 17 homes, 1 low-income · (603) 224-9221
- Mechanic Street School HUD-assisted 19 Hawthorne St, Laconia 03246 5 homes, 1 low-income · (603) 224-9221
- Lochmere Meadows Tax credit (LIHTC) 2 Georges Dr, Tilton 28 homes
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 Belknap County
The Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) pays part of your rent on a home you choose. Your public housing agency runs it. 1 agency serves in Belknap 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
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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)
-
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 | $24,750 | $41,200 | $65,900 |
| 2 people | $28,250 | $47,050 | $75,300 |
| 3 people | $31,800 | $52,950 | $84,700 |
| 4 people | $35,300 | $58,800 | $94,100 |
| 5 people | $38,680 | $63,550 | $101,650 |
| 6 people | $44,360 | $68,250 | $109,200 |
| 7 people | $50,040 | $72,950 | $116,700 |
| 8 people | $55,720 | $77,650 | $124,250 |
Area median income: $116,700. HUD income limits by family size, Fiscal year 2026. Area: Belknap County, NH. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2026
Possible payment standard
- Studio $1,005 – $1,229
- 1 bedroom $1,155 – $1,411
- 2 bedrooms $1,458 – $1,782
- 3 bedrooms $1,922 – $2,350
- 4 bedrooms $2,168 – $2,650
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
- Laconia Housing & Redevelopment Authority Public housing and Section 8 vouchers · 509 vouchers (603) 524-2112 Laconia Housing & Redevelopment Authority: cbowler@laconiahousing.org
Housing agencies in New Hampshire Source: HUD, Retrieved November 6, 2026
Your rights as a tenant in New Hampshire
What New Hampshire 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
- N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. §540-A:6, I(a)
- When must they return my deposit?
- 30 days
- N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. §540-A:7, I
- If I fall behind on rent, what notice must I get?
- 7 days
- N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. §540:3, II; §540:2, II(a)
- How much notice ends a month-to-month rental?
- 30 days
- N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. §540:3, II
- Only a court order can remove youN.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. §540-A:3, II
- Protection from retaliationN.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. §540:13-a
Help
Where to get help with rent in Belknap County
These are the nearest HUD-approved agencies. They counsel for free or at low cost.
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Neighborworks of Southern New Hampshire
801 Elm St, Manchester · 37 miles away
- Mortgage delinquency and default
- Budget and credit workshops
- and 5 more
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New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority
32 Constitution Dr, Bedford · 39 miles away · Spanish
Also serves in other languages.
- Mortgage delinquency and default
- Mortgage delinquency workshops
- and 7 more
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The Housing Partnership
222 International Dr Ste 165, Portsmouth · 44 miles away
- Budget and financial counseling
- Pre-purchase counseling
- and 2 more
Tool
How much cash do you need to move in?
It starts with the 2-bedroom fair market rent in Belknap 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 New Hampshire, the average home bill was $145 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
$3,240
What you need before you get the keys.
What adds up
- First month
- $1,620
- Security deposit
- $1,620
- Total
- $3,240
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 Belknap County?
According to HUD (Fiscal year 2027): Studio: $1,117; 1 bedroom: $1,283; 2 bedrooms: $1,620; 3 bedrooms: $2,136; 4 bedrooms: $2,409. It covers rent plus basic utilities, except the phone.
How much do you need to earn to rent in Belknap County?
Paying the 2-bedroom fair market rent ($1,620) without spending more than 30% of income takes $31.15 an hour full time, or $64,800 a year.
Who qualifies for Section 8 in Belknap County?
Generally, families with very low income: no more than 50% of the area median income. For 4 people, HUD's limit here is $58,800 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 Belknap 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 $1,458 and $1,782 a month. Your agency publishes its figure.
Does the fair market rent change by ZIP code in Belknap County?
For 2 bedrooms they run from $1,620 in 03246 to $1,980 in 03809. 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 Belknap County?
HUD lists 32 properties with homes for low-income households in Belknap 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 Belknap County?
HUD counts rent as a burden when it reaches 30% of income or more. In Belknap County, 50% of renter households are in that position; in New Hampshire, 48%, and nationwide, 51% (Average 2020–2024, Census).