Section 8 · Middlesex County
Data from November 2026
How much does Section 8 pay in Middlesex County, New Jersey?
HUD sets the 2-bedroom fair market rent in Middlesex County at $2,623 a month (Fiscal year 2027). From that figure, your housing agency sets its payment standard, which as a rule runs from $2,361 to $2,885. 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
- $2,623
- a month, HUD, Fiscal year 2027
- 16% more than in New Jersey
- Possible payment standard, 2 BR
- $2,361 – $2,885
- 90% to 110% of the fair market rent
- By ZIP code, 2 BR
- $2,240 – $2,980
- across 36 ZIP codes
- Section 8 vouchers
- 5,432
- at 9 agencies based here
Only here
Section 8 in Middlesex County: what sets it apart
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
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None of the 21 counties in New Jersey has a higher very low income limit (50%) than Middlesex County for a family of 4: $77,400 a year. It is the cap the voucher uses to qualify.
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Only 1 of the 21 counties in New Jersey has a higher 2-bedroom fair market rent than Middlesex County ($2,623 a month).
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Across the 36 ZIP codes in Middlesex County, the 2-bedroom ZIP code fair market rent runs from $2,240 in 07077 to $2,980 in 08824: 33% more.
Sources: HUD (Fiscal year 2026); HUD (Fiscal year 2027); HUD (Fiscal year 2027).
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 Middlesex 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)
| Size | Fair rent per month | Possible payment standard |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,953 | $1,758 – $2,148 |
| 1 bedroom | $2,103 | $1,893 – $2,313 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,623 | $2,361 – $2,885 |
| 3 bedrooms | $3,125 | $2,813 – $3,438 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,508 | $3,157 – $3,859 |
HUD area: Middlesex-Somerset-Hunterdon, NJ HUD Metro FMR Area. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027
By ZIP code
The fair market rent of each ZIP code
HUD also publishes fair market rents by ZIP code (Small Area FMRs) for 36 ZIP codes in Middlesex County (Fiscal year 2027). Where they are used, they are the basis of your home’s payment standard.
For 2 bedrooms they run from $2,240 in 07077 to $2,980 in 08824. With the 90% to 110% rule, the payment standard could run from $2,016 to $2,464 in 07077 and from $2,682 to $3,278 in 08824.
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 $1,630 – $2,220
- 1 bedroom $1,790 – $2,390
- 2 bedrooms $2,240 – $2,980
- 3 bedrooms $2,690 – $3,550
- 4 bedrooms $2,970 – $3,990
| ZIP code | Studio | 1 bd | 2 bd | 3 bd | 4 bd |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 07001 | $2,020 | $2,170 | $2,710 | $3,230 | $3,620 |
| 07008 | $2,140 | $2,310 | $2,880 | $3,430 | $3,850 |
| 07064 | $1,930 | $2,080 | $2,590 | $3,090 | $3,460 |
| 07067 | $2,080 | $2,250 | $2,800 | $3,340 | $3,740 |
| 07077 | $1,630 | $1,790 | $2,240 | $2,690 | $2,970 |
| 07080 | $2,050 | $2,210 | $2,760 | $3,290 | $3,690 |
| 07095 | $2,180 | $2,350 | $2,930 | $3,490 | $3,920 |
| 07747 | $1,870 | $2,050 | $2,540 | $3,180 | $3,530 |
| 08512 | $1,630 | $1,790 | $2,250 | $2,720 | $3,050 |
| 08536 | $2,030 | $2,180 | $2,720 | $3,240 | $3,640 |
| 08810 | $2,140 | $2,300 | $2,870 | $3,420 | $3,840 |
| 08816 | $2,170 | $2,340 | $2,920 | $3,480 | $3,910 |
| 08817 | $2,080 | $2,240 | $2,790 | $3,320 | $3,730 |
| 08820 | $2,140 | $2,300 | $2,870 | $3,420 | $3,840 |
| 08824 | $2,220 | $2,390 | $2,980 | $3,550 | $3,990 |
| 08828 | $2,120 | $2,290 | $2,850 | $3,400 | $3,810 |
| 08830 | $2,150 | $2,320 | $2,890 | $3,440 | $3,870 |
| 08831 | $1,940 | $2,080 | $2,600 | $3,100 | $3,480 |
| 08832 | $1,840 | $1,980 | $2,470 | $2,940 | $3,300 |
| 08837 | $1,860 | $2,000 | $2,500 | $2,980 | $3,340 |
| 08840 | $2,180 | $2,350 | $2,930 | $3,490 | $3,920 |
| 08846 | $1,630 | $1,790 | $2,240 | $2,690 | $2,970 |
| 08850 | $1,790 | $1,930 | $2,410 | $2,870 | $3,220 |
| 08852 | $2,000 | $2,160 | $2,690 | $3,210 | $3,600 |
| 08854 | $2,110 | $2,280 | $2,840 | $3,380 | $3,800 |
| 08857 | $1,740 | $1,880 | $2,340 | $2,790 | $3,130 |
| 08859 | $1,720 | $1,850 | $2,310 | $2,750 | $3,090 |
| 08861 | $1,680 | $1,800 | $2,250 | $2,690 | $3,010 |
| 08863 | $2,040 | $2,200 | $2,740 | $3,260 | $3,660 |
| 08872 | $1,640 | $1,790 | $2,240 | $2,690 | $2,970 |
| 08879 | $1,800 | $1,940 | $2,420 | $2,880 | $3,240 |
| 08882 | $1,760 | $1,890 | $2,360 | $2,810 | $3,160 |
| 08884 | $1,630 | $1,790 | $2,240 | $2,690 | $2,970 |
| 08901 | $1,900 | $2,040 | $2,550 | $3,040 | $3,410 |
| 08902 | $2,200 | $2,370 | $2,950 | $3,510 | $3,950 |
| 08904 | $1,940 | $2,090 | $2,610 | $3,110 | $3,490 |
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
A family of 4 earning HUD’s extremely low income limit in Middlesex County has $46,450 a year, about $3,871 a month. 30% of that income is $1,161. Since adjusted income is the same or lower, the family’s share would generally not be more than that. If the agency sets the payment standard equal to the fair market rent ($2,623) and the 2-bedroom home rents for that, the voucher would pay about $1,462 or more.
- Rent, equal to the fair market rent
- $2,623
- Family share, at most
- $1,161
- Voucher payment, at least
- $1,462
This is only an example. Your agency figures your adjusted income, the home size you get and its own payment standard. Sources: HUD fair market rent (Fiscal year 2027) and HUD income limits (Fiscal year 2026).
How to apply
Where and how to ask for a voucher in Middlesex County
9 housing agencies are based in Middlesex 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 Middlesex County, for a family of 4 that limit is $77,400 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
- Perth Amboy Housing Authority Public housing and Section 8 vouchers · 1,501 vouchers (732) 826-3110 Perth Amboy Housing Authority: ddzema@perthamboyha.org
- New Brunswick Housing Authority Public housing and Section 8 vouchers · 1,025 vouchers · 285 public housing units (732) 745-5157 New Brunswick Housing Authority: dtoto@nbnjha.org
- Woodbridge Housing Authority Section 8 vouchers · 975 vouchers (732) 634-2750 Woodbridge Housing Authority: enoll@woodbridgehousingauthority.org
- Carteret Housing Authority Public housing and Section 8 vouchers · 696 vouchers · 50 public housing units (732) 541-6800
- Edison Housing Authority Public housing and Section 8 vouchers · 461 vouchers · 160 public housing units (908) 561-2525 Edison Housing Authority: DHurley@edisonha.org
- Highland Park Housing Authority Public housing and Section 8 vouchers · 273 vouchers (732) 572-4420 Highland Park Housing Authority: dhurley@edisonha.org
- South Amboy Housing Authority Public housing and Section 8 vouchers · 114 vouchers · 152 public housing units (732) 721-1831 South Amboy Housing Authority: soamboyha@aol.com
- Old Bridge Housing Authority Section 8 vouchers · 208 vouchers (732) 607-6383 Old Bridge Housing Authority: info@oldbridgehousing.com
- Sayreville Housing Authority Section 8 vouchers · 179 vouchers (732) 721-8044 Sayreville Housing Authority: HAPAdoug@aol.com
Housing agencies in New Jersey HUD list of housing agencies Source: HUD, Retrieved November 6, 2026
Frequently asked questions
How much does Section 8 pay for 2 bedrooms in Middlesex County?
It depends on your agency’s payment standard and your income. HUD sets the 2-bedroom fair market rent at $2,623 (Fiscal year 2027), and the basic payment standard can run from $2,361 to $2,885. The voucher pays up to that 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 Middlesex County?
For 2 bedrooms they run from $2,240 in 07077 to $2,980 in 08824. With the 90% to 110% rule, the payment standard could run from $2,016 to $2,464 in 07077 and from $2,682 to $3,278 in 08824. 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 Middlesex County?
At a public housing agency. 9 are based in Middlesex County, such as Perth Amboy Housing Authority and New Brunswick Housing 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 Middlesex County?
Generally, your family must have very low income: no more than 50% of the area median income. In Middlesex County, for a family of 4 that limit is $77,400 a year (Fiscal year 2026).