Renting · Section 8
Data from November 2026
Renting in Cape May County, New Jersey
Cape May County has a HUD fair market rent of $1,857 a month for 2 bedrooms (Fiscal year 2027). Renter households here pay a typical rent of $1,360 a month (Average 2020–2024). Paying the fair market rent without going over 30% of income takes $35.71 an hour, full time.
Four numbers to start with
- Fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
- $1,857
- a month, HUD, Fiscal year 2027
- 18% less than in New Jersey
- Typical rent
- $1,360
- a month, Census, Average 2020–2024
- 21% less than in New Jersey
- Wage needed
- $35.71
- an hour, 2 bedrooms
- Or $74,280 a year, to spend no more than 30% of income on rent.
- Rent-burdened households
- 55%
- spend 30% or more of income on rent
- 7% more than in New Jersey
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 Cape May 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 Cape May County was $1,983 a month in September 2026: 5.8% 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 | $1,512 | $29.08 | $60,480 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,521 | $29.25 | $60,840 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,857 | $35.71 | $74,280 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,431 | $46.75 | $97,240 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,441 | $46.94 | $97,640 |
HUD area: Cape May County, NJ HUD Metro FMR Area. 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 18 ZIP codes in Cape May County (Fiscal year 2027). Type yours to see it.
For 2 bedrooms they run from $1,620 in 08260 to $2,400 in 08230. 11 ZIP codes are above the county's fair market rent ($1,857).
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)
| 08202 | Cape May County, NJ | $1,780 | $1,790 | $2,190 | $2,870 | $2,880 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08204 | Cape May County, NJ | $1,380 | $1,380 | $1,690 | $2,210 | $2,220 |
| 08210 | Cape May County, NJ | $1,650 | $1,660 | $2,030 | $2,660 | $2,670 |
| 08212 | Cape May County, NJ | $1,380 | $1,380 | $1,690 | $2,210 | $2,220 |
| 08223 | Cape May County, NJ | $1,770 | $1,780 | $2,170 | $2,840 | $2,850 |
| 08226 | Cape May County, NJ | $1,850 | $1,860 | $2,270 | $2,970 | $2,980 |
| 08230 | Cape May County, NJ | $1,950 | $1,970 | $2,400 | $3,140 | $3,150 |
| 08242 | Cape May County, NJ | $1,470 | $1,470 | $1,800 | $2,350 | $2,360 |
| 08243 | Cape May County, NJ | $1,870 | $1,880 | $2,300 | $3,010 | $3,020 |
| 08245 | Cape May County, NJ | $1,650 | $1,660 | $2,030 | $2,660 | $2,670 |
| 08246 | Cape May County, NJ | $1,650 | $1,660 | $2,030 | $2,660 | $2,670 |
| 08247 | Cape May County, NJ | $1,770 | $1,790 | $2,180 | $2,850 | $2,870 |
| 08248 | Cape May County, NJ | $1,930 | $1,940 | $2,370 | $3,100 | $3,110 |
| 08251 | Cape May County, NJ | $1,670 | $1,680 | $2,050 | $2,680 | $2,690 |
| 08260 | Cape May County, NJ | $1,290 | $1,300 | $1,620 | $2,160 | $2,170 |
| 08270 | Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | $1,270 | $1,390 | $1,690 | $2,330 | $2,570 |
| 08270 | Cape May County, NJ | $1,270 | $1,390 | $1,690 | $2,330 | $2,570 |
| 08270 | Vineland, NJ | $1,270 | $1,390 | $1,690 | $2,330 | $2,570 |
- 08202 · Cape May County, NJ $2,190$2,870
- 08204 · Cape May County, NJ $1,690$2,210
- 08210 · Cape May County, NJ $2,030$2,660
- 08212 · Cape May County, NJ $1,690$2,210
- 08223 · Cape May County, NJ $2,170$2,840
- 08226 · Cape May County, NJ $2,270$2,970
- 08230 · Cape May County, NJ $2,400$3,140
- 08242 · Cape May County, NJ $1,800$2,350
- 08243 · Cape May County, NJ $2,300$3,010
- 08245 · Cape May County, NJ $2,030$2,660
- 08246 · Cape May County, NJ $2,030$2,660
- 08247 · Cape May County, NJ $2,180$2,850
- 08248 · Cape May County, NJ $2,370$3,100
- 08251 · Cape May County, NJ $2,050$2,680
- 08260 · Cape May County, NJ $1,620$2,160
- 08270 · Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ $1,690$2,330
- 08270 · Cape May County, NJ $1,690$2,330
- 08270 · Vineland, NJ $1,690$2,330
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 Cape May County, 55% of renter households are in that position; in New Jersey, 52%, 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.
55%
of renter households spend 30% or more of their income on rent.
8,831 households rent in Cape May County
- Spend half or more of their income 30%
- Spend 30% or more, but less than half 25%
- Spend less than 30% 45%
Compared with the state and the country
- Cape May 55%
- New Jersey 52%
- United States 51%
Low-income apartments
Low-income apartments in Cape May County
HUD lists 20 properties with homes for low-income households in Cape May 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)
- 8
- HUD-assisted
- 9
- public housing
- 3
1,638 homes in all; 1,219 of them low-income, according to HUD.
- Victorian Towers HUD-assisted 608 Washington St, Cape May 08204 204 homes, 194 low-income · For older adults · (609) 884-5883
- Marina Bay Towers Tax credit (LIHTC) 608 New York Ave, North Wildwood 141 low-income homes · 1 bd: 141 · In service since 2012
- Victorian Towers Tax credit (LIHTC) 608 Washington St, Cape May 133 low-income homes
- Sandman TWS Public housing 3700 New Jersey Ave, Wildwood 08260 100 homes, 98 low-income · Run by Wildwood Housing Authority · Average payment: $397 a month · Average wait: 14 months · (856) 265-6207
- Conifer Village at Cape May Tax credit (LIHTC) 3805 Bayshore Rd, Cape May 90 low-income homes · In service since 2010
- Woodbine Manor HUD-assisted 201 Webster St, Woodbine 08270 102 homes, 87 low-income · For families
- Lafayette & Osborne & Broad ST CT Public housing 1 Osborne Ct, Cape May 08204 85 low-income homes · Run by Cape May Housing Authority · Average payment: $467 a month · Average wait: 39 months · (609) 884-8703
- Meadow Lark Run (rio Grande Apartments) Tax credit (LIHTC) 4006 Route 9 S, Rio Grande 79 low-income homes · In service since 2015
- Haven House at St. John of God Senior Housing HUD-assisted 676 Town Bank Rd, North Cape May 08204 76 homes, 75 low-income · For older adults
- Commissioners CT Apts Public housing 3700 New Jersey Ave, Wildwood 08260 70 low-income homes · Run by Wildwood Housing Authority · Average payment: $891 a month · Average wait: 27 months · (856) 265-6207
- Wesley By the Bay HUD-assisted 2419 Bay Ave, Ocean City 08226 60 low-income homes · For older adults
- Yorkshire Place HUD-assisted 664 Town Bank Rd, Cape May 08204 55 homes, 54 low-income · For older adults
- Lions Center HUD-assisted 3311 New Jersey Ave, Wildwood 08260 112 homes, 22 low-income · For older adults · (609) 729-1111
- Cape May Point Tax credit (LIHTC) 1 Pats Ln, Cape May Court House 10 low-income homes
- Disabilities Resource HUD-assisted Airport RD, Woodbine 08270 10 low-income homes · For people with disabilities
- Arc Cape May Housing HUD-assisted 22 Sutton Ln, Woodbine 08270 8 low-income homes · For people with disabilities · (609) 861-5961
- Cape Housing I HUD-assisted 17 W Shell Bay Ave, Cape May Court House 08210 3 low-income homes · For people with disabilities
- Marina Bay Towers #506 Tax credit (LIHTC) 608 New York Ave, North Wildwood 08260 141 homes · In service since 2012
- Conifer Village at Railroad Avenue Tax credit (LIHTC) 8 S Railroad Ave, Rio Grande 08210 80 homes · In service since 2015
- Rio Grande Tax credit (LIHTC) 4006 Route 9 S, Rio Grande 08242 79 homes · In service since 2015
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 Cape May 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 Cape May 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 | $24,350 | $40,550 | $64,900 |
| 2 people | $27,800 | $46,350 | $74,150 |
| 3 people | $31,300 | $52,150 | $83,400 |
| 4 people | $34,750 | $57,900 | $92,650 |
| 5 people | $38,680 | $62,550 | $100,100 |
| 6 people | $44,360 | $67,200 | $107,500 |
| 7 people | $50,040 | $71,800 | $114,900 |
| 8 people | $55,720 | $76,450 | $122,300 |
Area median income: $115,800. HUD income limits by family size, Fiscal year 2026. Area: Cape May County, NJ HUD Metro FMR Area. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2026
Possible payment standard
- Studio $1,361 – $1,663
- 1 bedroom $1,369 – $1,673
- 2 bedrooms $1,671 – $2,043
- 3 bedrooms $2,188 – $2,674
- 4 bedrooms $2,197 – $2,685
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
- Wildwood Housing Authority Public housing · 168 public housing units (856) 265-6207 Wildwood Housing Authority: pdice@millvillehousing.org
- Cape May Housing Authority Public housing · 85 public housing units (609) 884-8703 Cape May Housing Authority: jjones@vha.org
- Ocean City Housing Authority Public housing (609) 399-1062 Ocean City Housing Authority: jjones@vha.org
Housing agencies in New Jersey Source: HUD, Retrieved November 6, 2026
Your rights as a tenant in New Jersey
What New Jersey 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 1.5 months of rent
- N.J.S.A. 46:8-21.2
- When must they return my deposit?
- 30 days
- N.J.S.A. 46:8-21.1
- Only a court order can remove youN.J.S.A. 2A:39-1
- Protection from retaliationN.J.S.A. 2A:42-10.10
Help
Where to get help with rent in Cape May County
This is the nearest HUD-approved agency. They counsel for free or at low cost.
-
Navicore Solutions- Hammonton, NJ
212 Bellevue Ave, Hammonton · 38 miles away · Spanish
- Mortgage delinquency and default
- Mortgage delinquency workshops
- and 9 more
Rental assistance programs
The ones that serve in Cape May County or the whole state, with what each page says about being open.
-
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP): Home Energy Assistance
Run by New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA)
New Jersey help for very low-income residents with heating and cooling bills, and with past-due electric and gas bills
Open, per the source
See details -
Omnibus Eviction and Homelessness Prevention (OEHP) program
Run by New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA), Office of Eviction Prevention
New Jersey program that, through organizations in all 21 counties, helps renters with back rent, moving and free legal advice when facing eviction
Tool
How much cash do you need to move in?
It starts with the 2-bedroom fair market rent in Cape May 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 Jersey, the average home bill was $128 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
$3,714
What you need before you get the keys.
What adds up
- First month
- $1,857
- Security deposit
- $1,857
- Total
- $3,714
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 Cape May County?
According to HUD (Fiscal year 2027): Studio: $1,512; 1 bedroom: $1,521; 2 bedrooms: $1,857; 3 bedrooms: $2,431; 4 bedrooms: $2,441. It covers rent plus basic utilities, except the phone.
How much do you need to earn to rent in Cape May County?
Paying the 2-bedroom fair market rent ($1,857) without spending more than 30% of income takes $35.71 an hour full time, or $74,280 a year.
Who qualifies for Section 8 in Cape May County?
Generally, families with very low income: no more than 50% of the area median income. For 4 people, HUD's limit here is $57,900 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 Cape May 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 $1,671 and $2,043 a month. Your agency publishes its figure.
Does the fair market rent change by ZIP code in Cape May County?
For 2 bedrooms they run from $1,620 in 08260 to $2,400 in 08230. 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 Cape May County?
HUD lists 20 properties with homes for low-income households in Cape May 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 Cape May County?
HUD counts rent as a burden when it reaches 30% of income or more. In Cape May County, 55% of renter households are in that position; in New Jersey, 52%, and nationwide, 51% (Average 2020–2024, Census).