Renting · Section 8
Data from November 2026
Renting in Salem County, New Jersey
Salem County has a HUD fair market rent of $1,860 a month for 2 bedrooms (Fiscal year 2027). Renter households here pay a typical rent of $1,253 a month (Average 2020–2024). Paying the fair market rent without going over 30% of income takes $35.77 an hour, full time.
Four numbers to start with
- Fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
- $1,860
- a month, HUD, Fiscal year 2027
- 18% less than in New Jersey
- Typical rent
- $1,253
- a month, Census, Average 2020–2024
- 27% less than in New Jersey
- Wage needed
- $35.77
- an hour, 2 bedrooms
- Or $74,400 a year, to spend no more than 30% of income on rent.
- Rent-burdened households
- 55%
- spend 30% or more of income on rent
- 6% more than in New Jersey
Only here
Renting in Salem County: what sets it apart
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
-
Of the 21 counties in New Jersey, Salem County has the lowest typical rent: $1,253.
-
Salem County has the lowest typical rent in its area: $1,253, less than any of its 6 neighboring counties; next is Cumberland County ($1,282).
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 Salem 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 Salem County was $1,747 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 | $1,438 | $27.65 | $57,520 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,558 | $29.96 | $62,320 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,860 | $35.77 | $74,400 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,216 | $42.62 | $88,640 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,445 | $47.02 | $97,800 |
HUD area: Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD MSA. 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 12 ZIP codes in Salem County (Fiscal year 2027). Type yours to see it.
For 2 bedrooms they run from $1,460 in 08072 to $2,440 in 08023. 6 ZIP codes are above the county's fair market rent ($1,860).
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)
| 08001 | Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $1,220 | $1,330 | $1,600 | $2,020 | $2,180 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08023 | Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $1,890 | $2,040 | $2,440 | $2,910 | $3,210 |
| 08038 | Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $1,580 | $1,710 | $2,040 | $2,430 | $2,680 |
| 08067 | Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $1,770 | $1,920 | $2,290 | $2,730 | $3,010 |
| 08069 | Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $1,330 | $1,440 | $1,720 | $2,050 | $2,260 |
| 08070 | Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $1,260 | $1,370 | $1,630 | $1,940 | $2,140 |
| 08072 | Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $1,130 | $1,220 | $1,460 | $1,740 | $1,920 |
| 08079 | Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $1,130 | $1,220 | $1,460 | $1,740 | $1,920 |
| 08098 | Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $1,240 | $1,340 | $1,600 | $1,910 | $2,100 |
| 08318 | Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $1,500 | $1,620 | $1,940 | $2,310 | $2,550 |
| 08318 | Vineland, NJ | $1,500 | $1,620 | $1,940 | $2,310 | $2,550 |
| 08343 | Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $1,540 | $1,710 | $2,030 | $2,440 | $2,780 |
- 08001 · Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $1,600$2,020
- 08023 · Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $2,440$2,910
- 08038 · Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $2,040$2,430
- 08067 · Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $2,290$2,730
- 08069 · Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $1,720$2,050
- 08070 · Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $1,630$1,940
- 08072 · Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $1,460$1,740
- 08079 · Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $1,460$1,740
- 08098 · Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $1,600$1,910
- 08318 · Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $1,940$2,310
- 08318 · Vineland, NJ $1,940$2,310
- 08343 · Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $2,030$2,440
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 Salem 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.
7,211 households rent in Salem 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
- Salem 55%
- New Jersey 52%
- United States 51%
Low-income apartments
Low-income apartments in Salem County
HUD lists 25 properties with homes for low-income households in Salem 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)
- 17
- HUD-assisted
- 6
- public housing
- 2
2,249 homes in all; 1,638 of them low-income, according to HUD.
- Westside CT/Broadway TWS Public housing 70 Anderson Dr, Salem 08079 210 homes, 180 low-income · Run by Salem Housing Authority · Average payment: $317 a month · Average wait: 15 months · Homes at several sites · (856) 935-5022
- Penn TWS South Public housing 40 S Broad St, Penns Grove 08069 153 low-income homes · Run by Penns Grove Housing Authority · Average payment: $483 a month · Average wait: 32 months · (856) 299-0101
- Penns Grove Apartments Tax credit (LIHTC) 1 Helms Cove Ln, Penns Grove 144 low-income homes · In service since 2002
- Whispering Waters Apartments - Phase II Tax credit (LIHTC) 469 Grieves Pkwy, Salem 140 homes, 138 low-income · In service since 2008
- Pennsgrove Gardens HUD-assisted 11A Helms Cove Ln, Penns Grove 08069 144 homes, 136 low-income · For families
- Whispering Waters I Tax credit (LIHTC) 469 Grieves Pkwy, Salem 120 low-income homes · In service since 2010
- Kent Street Housing Tax credit (LIHTC) 11 Kent Ave, Pennsville 101 low-income homes · In service since 2007
- Pennsville Towers HUD-assisted 40 Eaton Rd, Pennsville 08070 100 homes, 99 low-income · For older adults
- Carneys Point Senior Apartments Tax credit (LIHTC) 44 S Dupont Rd, Penns Grove 99 low-income homes · In service since 2004 · For older adults
- Bailey Corner Tax credit (LIHTC) 10 Bailey St, Pilesgrove 90 low-income homes · In service since 2010
- CARNEYS POINT (a/k/a Village Arms Apartments) HUD-assisted 311 Shell Rd, Carneys Point 08069 80 low-income homes · For older adults
- Salem Senior Village Tax credit (LIHTC) 155 W Broadway, Salem 64 low-income homes · In service since 2006 · For older adults
- Salem Historic Homes Phase I Tax credit (LIHTC) 90 Carpenter St, Salem 63 low-income homes · In service since 2003
- The Village at Woodstown Tax credit (LIHTC) Bailey and Woodstown Alloway Road, Woodstown Twp 60 low-income homes · In service since 2011
- Penn Village Apartments HUD-assisted 200 S Smith Ave, Penns Grove 08069 120 homes, 58 low-income · For families
- Salem Historic Homes Phase II Tax credit (LIHTC) 77 Carpenter St, Salem 41 low-income homes · In service since 2003
- CSPNJ Homes 2006 HUD-assisted 24 Oberlin Rd, Pennsville 08070 6 low-income homes · For people with disabilities
- Salem Homes 2004 HUD-assisted 369 S Main St, Woodstown 08098 6 low-income homes · For people with disabilities
- Carney's Point Senior Litc# 639 Tax credit (LIHTC) 44 S Dupont Rd, Carneys Point 08069 99 homes · In service since 2004
- Bailey Corner # 1482 Tax credit (LIHTC) 10 Bailey St, Pilesgrove 08098 90 homes · In service since 2010
- Bailey Corner #0905 Tax credit (LIHTC) 10 Bailey St, Pilesgrove 08098 90 homes · In service since 2010
- Litc#747 Salem Senior Village Tax credit (LIHTC) 2 Hires Ave, Salem 08079 64 homes · In service since 2006
- Litc#661 Salem Historic Homes Tax credit (LIHTC) 90 Carpenter St, Salem 08079 62 homes · In service since 2003
- Salem Historic Homes Tax credit (LIHTC) 90 Carpenter St, Salem 62 homes · In service since 2003
- Litc#671 Salem Historic Homes Phase II Tax credit (LIHTC) 90 Carpenter St, Salem 08079 41 homes · In service since 2003
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 Salem County
The Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) pays part of your rent on a home you choose. Your public housing agency runs it. 2 agencies serve in Salem 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 | $25,800 | $42,950 | $68,750 |
| 2 people | $29,450 | $49,100 | $78,550 |
| 3 people | $33,150 | $55,250 | $88,350 |
| 4 people | $36,800 | $61,350 | $98,150 |
| 5 people | $39,750 | $66,300 | $106,050 |
| 6 people | $44,360 | $71,200 | $113,900 |
| 7 people | $50,040 | $76,100 | $121,750 |
| 8 people | $55,720 | $81,000 | $129,600 |
Area median income: $122,700. HUD income limits by family size, Fiscal year 2026. Area: Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD MSA. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2026
Possible payment standard
- Studio $1,294 – $1,582
- 1 bedroom $1,402 – $1,714
- 2 bedrooms $1,674 – $2,046
- 3 bedrooms $1,994 – $2,438
- 4 bedrooms $2,201 – $2,690
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
- Salem Housing Authority Public housing and Section 8 vouchers · 38 vouchers · 180 public housing units (856) 935-5022 Salem Housing Authority: cbailey@salemhousingauthority.org
- Penns Grove Housing Authority Public housing and Section 8 vouchers · 38 vouchers · 153 public housing units (856) 299-0101 Penns Grove Housing Authority: cvaldez@pennsgroveha.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 Salem County
HUD lists no counseling agencies near in Salem County. Free legal aid and your housing agency can guide you.
Rental assistance programs
The ones that serve in Salem 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 Salem 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
$3,720
What you need before you get the keys.
What adds up
- First month
- $1,860
- Security deposit
- $1,860
- Total
- $3,720
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 Salem County?
According to HUD (Fiscal year 2027): Studio: $1,438; 1 bedroom: $1,558; 2 bedrooms: $1,860; 3 bedrooms: $2,216; 4 bedrooms: $2,445. It covers rent plus basic utilities, except the phone.
How much do you need to earn to rent in Salem County?
Paying the 2-bedroom fair market rent ($1,860) without spending more than 30% of income takes $35.77 an hour full time, or $74,400 a year.
Who qualifies for Section 8 in Salem County?
Generally, families with very low income: no more than 50% of the area median income. For 4 people, HUD's limit here is $61,350 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 Salem 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 $1,674 and $2,046 a month. Your agency publishes its figure.
Does the fair market rent change by ZIP code in Salem County?
For 2 bedrooms they run from $1,460 in 08072 to $2,440 in 08023. 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 Salem County?
HUD lists 25 properties with homes for low-income households in Salem 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 Salem County?
HUD counts rent as a burden when it reaches 30% of income or more. In Salem County, 55% of renter households are in that position; in New Jersey, 52%, and nationwide, 51% (Average 2020–2024, Census).