Section 8 · Hillsborough County
Data from November 2026
How much does Section 8 pay in Hillsborough County, New Hampshire?
HUD sets the 2-bedroom fair market rent in Hillsborough County at $1,834–$2,239 a month (Fiscal year 2027). HUD sets the fair market rent by area within in Hillsborough County, so the payment standard depends on your area. The voucher pays up to that standard, minus your share: generally 30% of your adjusted monthly income.
Four numbers to start with
- Fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
- $1,834–$2,239
- a month, HUD, Fiscal year 2027
- HUD sets it by area: from the lowest to the highest of the 3 areas in Hillsborough County.
- Possible payment standard, 2 BR
- Data not available
- HUD sets the fair market rent by area here; it depends on your area.
- By ZIP code, 2 BR
- $1,550 – $3,360
- across 45 ZIP codes
- Section 8 vouchers
- 7,764
- at 4 agencies based here
Only here
Section 8 in Hillsborough County: what sets it apart
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
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The 2-bedroom ZIP code fair market rent in Hillsborough County runs from $1,550 in 03440 to $3,360 in 03033 (117% more). None of the 10 counties in New Hampshire with data has a wider gap.
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Housing agencies based in Hillsborough County hold 7,764 housing vouchers. None of the 9 counties in New Hampshire with vouchers has more.
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Housing agencies based in Hillsborough County hold 7,764 vouchers: 14.1 for every 100 renter households. None of the 9 counties in New Hampshire with vouchers has more per household.
Sources: HUD (Fiscal year 2027); HUD (Retrieved November 6, 2026); U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).
Fair market rent and payment standard
What the voucher can pay, by size
Each year HUD publishes a fair market rent (FMR) for each home size in Hillsborough County. Your housing agency uses it to set its payment standard: the most the voucher can pay toward rent and utilities.
- 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. Source: 24 CFR §888.113
- 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)
- Above 110% is an exception payment standard. Up to 120%, the agency only has to notify HUD that it meets certain criteria. Source: 24 CFR §982.503(d)
HUD splits this county into 3 areas with different fair market rents: for 2 bedrooms they run from $1,834 to $2,239. The table is for Nashua, NH HUD Metro FMR Area, the area where most people live; below you see every area with its towns. Includes basic utilities.
| Size | Fair rent per month |
|---|---|
| Studio | $1,559 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,804 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,239 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,899 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,170 |
HUD area: Nashua, NH HUD Metro FMR Area. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027
Fair market rent by HUD area in Hillsborough County
HUD splits this county into 3 areas, each with its own fair market rent. Find your town in its area's list; the housing agency tells you which one it uses for your voucher.
| HUD area | Studio | 1 bd | 2 bd | 3 bd | 4 bd | Hourly wage, 2 bd |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Nashua, NH HUD Metro FMR Area The area where most people live 14 towns in this areaAmherst town, Brookline town, Greenville town, Hollis town, Hudson town, Litchfield town, Mason town, Merrimack town, Milford town, Mont Vernon town, Nashua city, New Ipswich town, Pelham town, Wilton town | $1,559 | $1,804 | $2,239 | $2,899 | $3,170 | $43.06 |
Manchester, NH HUD Metro FMR Area 4 towns in this areaBedford town, Goffstown town, Manchester city, Weare town | $1,510 | $1,657 | $2,168 | $2,583 | $2,849 | $41.69 |
Hillsborough County, NH (part) HUD Metro FMR Area 13 towns in this areaAntrim town, Bennington town, Deering town, Francestown town, Greenfield town, Hancock town, Hillsborough town, Lyndeborough town, New Boston town, Peterborough town, Sharon town, Temple town, Windsor town | $1,277 | $1,402 | $1,834 | $2,185 | $3,065 | $35.27 |
HUD fair market rent by area and size, per month, Fiscal year 2027. The wage is what full-time work must pay to rent 2 bedrooms without spending more than 30% of income. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027 Source: Fair Market Rents (HUD) Fiscal year 2027 Fair Market Rents (HUD) (external site)
By ZIP code
The fair market rent of each ZIP code
HUD also publishes fair market rents by ZIP code (Small Area FMRs) for 45 ZIP codes in Hillsborough County (Fiscal year 2027). Where they are used, they are the basis of your home’s payment standard.
For 2 bedrooms they run from $1,550 in 03440 to $3,360 in 03033. With the 90% to 110% rule, the payment standard could run from $1,395 to $1,705 in 03440 and from $3,024 to $3,696 in 03033.
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)
Lowest and highest, by size
- Studio $1,160 – $2,340
- 1 bedroom $1,180 – $2,710
- 2 bedrooms $1,550 – $3,360
- 3 bedrooms $1,850 – $4,350
- 4 bedrooms $2,560 – $4,760
| ZIP code | Studio | 1 bd | 2 bd | 3 bd | 4 bd |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 03031Manchester, NH | $1,350 | $1,560 | $1,940 | $2,540 | $2,750 |
| 03031Nashua, NH | $1,350 | $1,560 | $1,940 | $2,540 | $2,750 |
| 03033Nashua, NH | $2,340 | $2,710 | $3,360 | $4,350 | $4,760 |
| 03043Hillsborough County, NH | $1,390 | $1,530 | $2,000 | $2,380 | $3,340 |
| 03045Hillsborough County, NH | $1,520 | $1,670 | $2,180 | $2,600 | $2,870 |
| 03045Manchester, NH | $1,520 | $1,670 | $2,180 | $2,600 | $2,870 |
| 03047Hillsborough County, NH | $1,160 | $1,260 | $1,650 | $1,970 | $2,760 |
| 03048Nashua, NH | $1,330 | $1,510 | $1,920 | $2,540 | $2,710 |
| 03049Nashua, NH | $1,560 | $1,810 | $2,240 | $2,900 | $3,170 |
| 03051Nashua, NH | $1,560 | $1,810 | $2,240 | $2,900 | $3,170 |
| 03052Nashua, NH | $2,000 | $2,310 | $2,870 | $3,720 | $4,060 |
| 03054Manchester, NH | $1,710 | $1,980 | $2,460 | $3,180 | $3,480 |
| 03054Nashua, NH | $1,710 | $1,980 | $2,460 | $3,180 | $3,480 |
| 03055Hillsborough County, NH | $1,480 | $1,710 | $2,120 | $2,740 | $3,000 |
| 03055Nashua, NH | $1,480 | $1,710 | $2,120 | $2,740 | $3,000 |
| 03057Hillsborough County, NH | $1,500 | $1,690 | $2,160 | $2,840 | $3,070 |
| 03057Nashua, NH | $1,500 | $1,690 | $2,160 | $2,840 | $3,070 |
| 03060Nashua, NH | $1,500 | $1,740 | $2,160 | $2,800 | $3,060 |
| 03062Nashua, NH | $1,710 | $1,980 | $2,460 | $3,180 | $3,480 |
| 03063Nashua, NH | $1,710 | $1,980 | $2,460 | $3,180 | $3,480 |
| 03064Nashua, NH | $1,460 | $1,690 | $2,100 | $2,720 | $2,970 |
| 03070Hillsborough County, NH | $1,330 | $1,510 | $1,920 | $2,540 | $2,790 |
| 03070Manchester, NH | $1,330 | $1,510 | $1,920 | $2,540 | $2,790 |
| 03070Nashua, NH | $1,330 | $1,510 | $1,920 | $2,540 | $2,790 |
| 03071Hillsborough County, NH | $1,330 | $1,510 | $1,920 | $2,540 | $2,710 |
| 03071Nashua, NH | $1,330 | $1,510 | $1,920 | $2,540 | $2,710 |
| 03076Nashua, NH | $1,410 | $1,560 | $2,050 | $2,540 | $2,710 |
| 03082Hillsborough County, NH | $1,650 | $1,780 | $2,330 | $2,780 | $3,890 |
| 03084Hillsborough County, NH | $1,380 | $1,510 | $1,980 | $2,360 | $3,310 |
| 03086Hillsborough County, NH | $1,330 | $1,510 | $1,920 | $2,540 | $2,710 |
| 03086Nashua, NH | $1,330 | $1,510 | $1,920 | $2,540 | $2,710 |
| 03101Manchester, NH | $1,890 | $2,070 | $2,710 | $3,230 | $3,560 |
| 03102Manchester, NH | $1,480 | $1,620 | $2,120 | $2,530 | $2,790 |
| 03103Manchester, NH | $1,520 | $1,530 | $2,000 | $2,770 | $2,780 |
| 03104Manchester, NH | $1,520 | $1,630 | $2,130 | $2,770 | $2,800 |
| 03109Manchester, NH | $1,710 | $1,880 | $2,460 | $2,930 | $3,230 |
| 03110Manchester, NH | $2,050 | $2,250 | $2,940 | $3,500 | $3,860 |
| 03110Nashua, NH | $2,050 | $2,250 | $2,940 | $3,500 | $3,860 |
| 03244Hillsborough County, NH | $1,260 | $1,380 | $1,810 | $2,350 | $3,030 |
| 03281Hillsborough County, NH | $1,490 | $1,640 | $2,140 | $2,550 | $2,810 |
| 03281Manchester, NH | $1,490 | $1,640 | $2,140 | $2,550 | $2,810 |
| 03440Hillsborough County, NH | $1,160 | $1,180 | $1,550 | $1,850 | $2,590 |
| 03442Hillsborough County, NH | $1,240 | $1,360 | $1,780 | $2,120 | $2,980 |
| 03449Hillsborough County, NH | $1,180 | $1,240 | $1,620 | $2,000 | $2,560 |
| 03458Hillsborough County, NH | $1,410 | $1,540 | $2,020 | $2,410 | $3,380 |
Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Fiscal year 2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (external site)
How it is figured
What the voucher pays and what you pay
The housing agency pays the owner directly. This is how it is figured, under HUD’s rules:
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The payment standard is the most the voucher pays. The agency pays the lower of the payment standard minus your share, or the rent with utilities minus your share. Source: 24 CFR §982.505(a), (b)
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Your share (the total tenant payment) is the highest of 30% of your adjusted monthly income, 10% of your monthly income, the part of public assistance set aside for housing, or the minimum rent. Source: 24 CFR §5.628(a)
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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 §982.305(a)(5), §982.508
How to apply
Where and how to ask for a voucher in Hillsborough County
4 housing agencies are based in Hillsborough County. This is how you apply:
- 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
- Because demand is high, you may need to sign up on several waiting lists. You do not need to live where you apply. Source: HUD
- Generally, your family must have very low income: no more than 50% of the area median income. In Hillsborough County, for a family of 4 that limit is $60,850–$73,800 a year (Fiscal year 2026). Source: 24 CFR §5.603, §982.201(b)
How much can you earn? Check your case Section 8 and mixed-status families: how it worksRental help and public charge: what the rules sayHow to avoid rental scams: the signs and what to do
Housing agencies that serve this place
- New Hampshire Housing Finance Agency Section 8 vouchers · 4,361 vouchers (603) 472-8623 New Hampshire Housing Finance Agency: rdapice@nhhfa.org
- Manchester Housing & Redevelopment Authority Public housing and Section 8 vouchers · 2,185 vouchers · 1,169 public housing units (603) 624-2100 Manchester Housing & Redevelopment Authority: swright@manchesterhousing.org
- Nashua Housing and Redevelopment Authority Public housing and Section 8 vouchers · 993 vouchers · 544 public housing units (603) 883-5661 Nashua Housing and Redevelopment Authority: llombardi@nashuaha.org
- Harbor Homes, Inc. Section 8 vouchers · 225 vouchers (603) 882-3616 Harbor Homes, Inc.: p.kelleher@nhpartnership.org
Housing agencies in New Hampshire HUD list of housing agencies Source: HUD, Retrieved November 6, 2026
Frequently asked questions
How much does Section 8 pay for 2 bedrooms in Hillsborough County?
It depends on your agency’s payment standard and your income. HUD sets the 2-bedroom fair market rent by area within this county: $1,834–$2,239 depending on the area (Fiscal year 2027). The voucher pays up to the payment standard minus your share.
How much do I pay with a voucher?
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. When you move in, if the rent is above the payment standard, your share cannot go over 40% of your adjusted monthly income.
Does the payment standard change by ZIP code in Hillsborough County?
For 2 bedrooms they run from $1,550 in 03440 to $3,360 in 03033. With the 90% to 110% rule, the payment standard could run from $1,395 to $1,705 in 03440 and from $3,024 to $3,696 in 03033. 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.
Where do I apply for Section 8 in Hillsborough County?
At a public housing agency. 4 are based in Hillsborough County, such as New Hampshire Housing Finance Agency and Manchester Housing & Redevelopment Authority. If you qualify, your name usually goes on a waiting list. You can sign up on several: you do not need to live where you apply.
Who qualifies for Section 8 in Hillsborough County?
Generally, your family must have very low income: no more than 50% of the area median income. In Hillsborough County, for a family of 4 that limit is $60,850–$73,800 a year (Fiscal year 2026).