Renting · Section 8
Data from November 2026
Renting in Coos County, New Hampshire
Coos County has a HUD fair market rent of $1,195 a month for 2 bedrooms (Fiscal year 2027). Renter households here pay a typical rent of $876 a month (Average 2020–2024). Paying the fair market rent without going over 30% of income takes $22.98 an hour, full time.
Four numbers to start with
- Fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
- $1,195
- a month, HUD, Fiscal year 2027
- 41% less than in New Hampshire
- Typical rent
- $876
- a month, Census, Average 2020–2024
- 41% less than in New Hampshire
- Wage needed
- $22.98
- an hour, 2 bedrooms
- Or $47,800 a year, to spend no more than 30% of income on rent.
- Rent-burdened households
- 44%
- spend 30% or more of income on rent
- 8% less than in New Hampshire
Only here
Renting in Coos County: what sets it apart
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
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Of the 10 counties in New Hampshire, Coos County has the lowest typical rent: $876.
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Of the 10 counties in New Hampshire, Coos County has the lowest typical household income: $57,677.
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Coos County has the lowest typical rent in its area: $876, less than any of its 6 neighboring counties; next is Belknap County ($1,167).
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 Coos 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 Coos County was $1,292 a month in September 2026. 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 | $940 | $18.08 | $37,600 |
| 1 bedroom | $946 | $18.19 | $37,840 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,195 | $22.98 | $47,800 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,587 | $30.52 | $63,480 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,593 | $30.63 | $63,720 |
HUD area: Coos 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 15 ZIP codes in Coos County (Fiscal year 2027). Type yours to see it.
For 2 bedrooms they run from $1,160 in 03576 to $1,790 in 03593. 11 ZIP codes are above the county's fair market rent ($1,195).
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)
| 03570 | Coos County, NH | $920 | $930 | $1,170 | $1,550 | $1,560 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 03575 | Coos County, NH | $1,160 | $1,160 | $1,480 | $1,970 | $1,980 |
| 03576 | Coos County, NH | $900 | $910 | $1,160 | $1,540 | $1,540 |
| 03581 | Coos County, NH | $890 | $900 | $1,160 | $1,540 | $1,540 |
| 03582 | Coos County, NH | $990 | $1,000 | $1,260 | $1,670 | $1,680 |
| 03583 | Coos County, NH | $890 | $900 | $1,160 | $1,540 | $1,540 |
| 03584 | Coos County, NH | $970 | $970 | $1,230 | $1,630 | $1,640 |
| 03588 | Coos County, NH | $1,030 | $1,030 | $1,340 | $1,770 | $1,770 |
| 03590 | Coos County, NH | $990 | $1,000 | $1,260 | $1,680 | $1,680 |
| 03592 | Coos County, NH | $1,050 | $1,050 | $1,340 | $1,770 | $1,770 |
| 03593 | Coos County, NH | $1,410 | $1,420 | $1,790 | $2,380 | $2,390 |
| 03595 | Coos County, NH | $1,080 | $1,080 | $1,370 | $1,820 | $1,830 |
| 03597 | Coos County, NH | $1,130 | $1,130 | $1,430 | $1,900 | $1,910 |
| 03598 | Coos County, NH | $1,010 | $1,020 | $1,290 | $1,710 | $1,720 |
| 03598 | Grafton County, NH | $1,010 | $1,020 | $1,290 | $1,710 | $1,720 |
- 03570 · Coos County, NH $1,170$1,550
- 03575 · Coos County, NH $1,480$1,970
- 03576 · Coos County, NH $1,160$1,540
- 03581 · Coos County, NH $1,160$1,540
- 03582 · Coos County, NH $1,260$1,670
- 03583 · Coos County, NH $1,160$1,540
- 03584 · Coos County, NH $1,230$1,630
- 03588 · Coos County, NH $1,340$1,770
- 03590 · Coos County, NH $1,260$1,680
- 03592 · Coos County, NH $1,340$1,770
- 03593 · Coos County, NH $1,790$2,380
- 03595 · Coos County, NH $1,370$1,820
- 03597 · Coos County, NH $1,430$1,900
- 03598 · Coos County, NH $1,290$1,710
- 03598 · Grafton County, NH $1,290$1,710
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 Coos County, 44% 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.
44%
of renter households spend 30% or more of their income on rent.
3,606 households rent in Coos County
- Spend half or more of their income 19%
- Spend 30% or more, but less than half 26%
- Spend less than 30% 56%
Compared with the state and the country
- Coos 44%
- New Hampshire 48%
- United States 51%
Low-income apartments
Low-income apartments in Coos County
HUD lists 24 properties with homes for low-income households in Coos 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)
- 7
- HUD-assisted
- 16
- public housing
- 1
923 homes in all; 906 of them low-income, according to HUD.
- Brookside Park Tax credit (LIHTC) 155 Maynesboro St, Berlin 120 low-income homes · 1 bd: 14 · 2 bd: 76 · 3 bd: 30 · In service since 2016 · For families
- Brookside Park Apartments HUD-assisted 101 Mercier St, Berlin 03570 120 low-income homes · For families
- Northern Lights Housing HUD-assisted 25 Success St, Berlin 03570 63 low-income homes · For older adults · (603) 752-6259
- Clarence M. Welch Apts Public housing 13 Cole St, Berlin 03570 55 low-income homes · Run by Berlin Housing Authority · Average payment: $400 a month · Average wait: 12 months · (603) 752-4240
- Monadnock Village HUD-assisted 5 Monadnock St, Colebrook 03576 50 low-income homes · For older adults
- Birch Grove HUD-assisted 51 Glen Rd, Gorham 03581 43 low-income homes · For older adults
- ST. Regis House Tax credit (LIHTC) 421 Main St, Berlin 42 low-income homes · 1 bd: 41 · 2 bd: 1 · In service since 2020 · For older adults, people with disabilities
- St. Regis House HUD-assisted 421 Main St, Berlin 03570 42 low-income homes · For older adults
- Highland House Tax credit (LIHTC) 30 Highland St, Whitefield 36 low-income homes · 1 bd: 33 · 2 bd: 3 · In service since 2012 · For older adults
- Highland House HUD-assisted 30 Highland St, Whitefield 03598 36 low-income homes · For older adults
- Mckee Inn Tax credit (LIHTC) 186 Main St, Lancaster 35 low-income homes · 1 bd: 33 · 2 bd: 2 · In service since 2012 · For older adults, people with disabilities
- Mckee Inn HUD-assisted 186 Main St, Lancaster 03584 35 low-income homes · For older adults
- Notre Dame Apartments Tax credit (LIHTC) 411 School St, Berlin 33 low-income homes · 1 bd: 33 · In service since 2014 · For older adults
- Colby Commons Tax credit (LIHTC) 45 Crosby Ter, Colebrook 28 low-income homes · In service since 1994
- Millroad Meadows HUD-assisted 24 Wooddale Rd, North Stratford 03590 26 low-income homes · For families
- Echo Valley Village HUD-assisted 20 Back Lake Rd, Pittsburg 03592 24 low-income homes · For older adults
- McIntyre School HUD-assisted 16 Highland St, Whitefield 03598 24 low-income homes · For older adults · (603) 837-2511
- Melcher Court HUD-assisted 3 Melcher St, Groveton 03582 24 low-income homes · For older adults
- Ice Pond Village HUD-assisted 13 Ice Pond Rd, Lancaster 03584 20 low-income homes · For older adults
- Northern View Apartments HUD-assisted 6 Northern View Rd, West Stewartstown 03597 20 low-income homes · For families
- Cornerstone Housing North HUD-assisted 53 Main St, Berlin 03570 13 homes, 12 low-income · For older adults
- Groveton Elderly Housing HUD-assisted 2 Spring St, Northumberland 03582 10 low-income homes · For older adults
- Verdun Street HUD-assisted 85 Verdun St, Berlin 03570 8 low-income homes · For people with disabilities
- Mountain Village Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) Melcher ST, Groveton 16 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 Coos 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 Coos 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)
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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 | $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: $87,700. HUD income limits by family size, Fiscal year 2026. Area: Coos County, NH. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2026
Possible payment standard
- Studio $846 – $1,034
- 1 bedroom $851 – $1,041
- 2 bedrooms $1,076 – $1,315
- 3 bedrooms $1,428 – $1,746
- 4 bedrooms $1,434 – $1,752
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
- Berlin Housing Authority Public housing and Section 8 vouchers · 289 vouchers · 55 public housing units (603) 752-4240 Berlin Housing Authority: executivedirector@berlinha.org
- Lancaster Housing Authority Section 8 vouchers · 71 vouchers (603) 752-4240 Lancaster Housing Authority: executivedirector@berlinha.org
- Northumberland Housing Authority Section 8 vouchers · 18 vouchers (603) 752-4240 Northumberland Housing Authority: executivedirector@berlinha.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 Coos County
This is the nearest HUD-approved agency. They counsel for free or at low cost.
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Affordable Housing, Education and Development, Inc. (AHEAD)
262 Cottage St Ste 130, Littleton · 34 miles away
- Mortgage delinquency and default
- Mortgage delinquency workshops
- and 7 more
Tool
How much cash do you need to move in?
It starts with the 2-bedroom fair market rent in Coos 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
$2,390
What you need before you get the keys.
What adds up
- First month
- $1,195
- Security deposit
- $1,195
- Total
- $2,390
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 Coos County?
According to HUD (Fiscal year 2027): Studio: $940; 1 bedroom: $946; 2 bedrooms: $1,195; 3 bedrooms: $1,587; 4 bedrooms: $1,593. It covers rent plus basic utilities, except the phone.
How much do you need to earn to rent in Coos County?
Paying the 2-bedroom fair market rent ($1,195) without spending more than 30% of income takes $22.98 an hour full time, or $47,800 a year.
Who qualifies for Section 8 in Coos 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 Coos 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 $1,076 and $1,315 a month. Your agency publishes its figure.
Does the fair market rent change by ZIP code in Coos County?
For 2 bedrooms they run from $1,160 in 03576 to $1,790 in 03593. 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 Coos County?
HUD lists 24 properties with homes for low-income households in Coos 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 Coos County?
HUD counts rent as a burden when it reaches 30% of income or more. In Coos County, 44% of renter households are in that position; in New Hampshire, 48%, and nationwide, 51% (Average 2020–2024, Census).