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Renting · Section 8

Data from November 2026

Renting in Columbus County, North Carolina

Columbus County has a HUD fair market rent of $1,012 a month for 2 bedrooms (Fiscal year 2027). Renter households here pay a typical rent of $824 a month (Average 2020–2024). Paying the fair market rent without going over 30% of income takes $19.46 an hour, full time.

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Fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$1,012
a month, HUD, Fiscal year 2027
30% less than in North Carolina
Typical rent
$824
a month, Census, Average 2020–2024
33% less than in North Carolina
Wage needed
$19.46
an hour, 2 bedrooms
Or $40,480 a year, to spend no more than 30% of income on rent.
Rent-burdened households
50%
spend 30% or more of income on rent
2% more than in North Carolina

Source: Fair Market Rents (HUD) Fiscal year 2027 Fair Market Rents (HUD) Source: American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates Average 2020–2024 American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates

Only here

Renting in Columbus County: what sets it apart

What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.

  1. 14% of households in Columbus County have no internet at home, against 7% in North Carolina.

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 Columbus 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)

Fair market rent and wage needed To pay the fair market rent without spending more than 30% of income, working full time (40 hours a week).
Size Fair rent per month Hourly wage Income needed per year
Studio $858 $16.50 $34,320
1 bedroom $863 $16.60 $34,520
2 bedrooms $1,012 $19.46 $40,480
3 bedrooms $1,206 $23.19 $48,240
4 bedrooms $1,330 $25.58 $53,200

HUD area: Columbus County, NC. 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 19 ZIP codes in Columbus County (Fiscal year 2027). Type yours to see it.

For 2 bedrooms they run from $1,010 in 28424 to $1,440 in 28436. 10 ZIP codes are above the county's fair market rent ($1,012).

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)

Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Fiscal year 2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD)

Rent burden

How many households spend too much

HUD counts rent as a burden when it reaches 30% of income or more. In Columbus County, 50% of renter households are in that position; in North Carolina, 49%, 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.

50%

of renter households spend 30% or more of their income on rent.

5,796 households rent in Columbus County

  • Spend half or more of their income 20%
  • Spend 30% or more, but less than half 30%
  • Spend less than 30% 50%

Compared with the state and the country

  • Columbus 50%
  • North Carolina 49%
  • United States 51%

Low-income apartments

Low-income apartments in Columbus County

HUD lists 30 properties with homes for low-income households in Columbus 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)
21
HUD-assisted
9
public housing
1

981 homes in all; 930 of them low-income, according to HUD.

  • Kent Place Tax credit (LIHTC) 116 Tram Rd, Whiteville 28472 64 low-income homes · 1 bd: 24 · 2 bd: 40 · In service since 2011 · For families
  • Westwood Homes Public housing 502A W Burkhead St, Whiteville 28472 54 low-income homes · Run by Whiteville Housing Authority · Average payment: $346 a month · Average wait: 4 months · (910) 642-4979
  • Brookberry Park Apartments Tax credit (LIHTC) · HUD-assisted 409 Calhoun St, Whiteville 28472 50 low-income homes · 1 bd: 10 · 2 bd: 20 · 3 bd: 20 · In service since 2007 · For people with disabilities, families, people experiencing homelessness · (910) 642-7729
  • Covey Run Apartments Tax credit (LIHTC) 117 Covey Quail Ln, Whiteville 28472 48 low-income homes · 1 bd: 12 · 2 bd: 36 · In service since 2009 · For families
  • Covey Run Apartments II Tax credit (LIHTC) 200 Jordan Ln, Whiteville 28472 48 low-income homes · 1 bd: 12 · 2 bd: 36 · In service since 2011 · For families
  • Forest Edge Apartment Homes Tax credit (LIHTC) 125 Forest Edge Cir, Tabor City 28463 48 low-income homes · 1 bd: 12 · 2 bd: 24 · 3 bd: 12 · In service since 2009 · For families
  • Forest Glen Apartments Tax credit (LIHTC) 106 Forest Glen Dr, Tabor City 28463 48 low-income homes · 1 bd: 11 · 2 bd: 29 · 3 bd: 8 · In service since 2013 · For families
  • Tabor Landing Apartments Tax credit (LIHTC) 383 Swamp Fox Highway E, Tabor City 28463 48 low-income homes · 1 bd: 6 · 2 bd: 30 · 3 bd: 12 · In service since 2018 · For families
  • Covey Reserve Apartments Tax credit (LIHTC) 200 Jordan Ln, Whiteville 28472 44 low-income homes · 1 bd: 22 · 2 bd: 22 · In service since 2013 · For older adults
  • Berry Court Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) West Sixth Street, Chadbourn 28431 40 low-income homes · 1 bd: 38 · 2 bd: 2 · In service since 1992 · For older adults
  • Copperstone Apartments Tax credit (LIHTC) 104 Copperstone Ln, Whiteville 28472 40 low-income homes · 2 bd: 20 · 3 bd: 20 · In service since 2014 · For families
  • Saw Mill Apartments Tax credit (LIHTC) 332 W Hay St, Whiteville 28472 40 low-income homes · 1 bd: 12 · 2 bd: 28 · In service since 2010 · For families
  • Thompson Estates HUD-assisted 103 Jones Pl, Whiteville 28472 36 low-income homes · For older adults · (910) 640-3315
  • Madison Hill Apartments HUD-assisted 206 S Madison St, Whiteville 28472 35 low-income homes · For older adults · (910) 642-8883
  • Brunswick Place Tax credit (LIHTC) 27 Mill Stream Dr, Whiteville 28472 32 low-income homes · 1 bd: 4 · 2 bd: 20 · 3 bd: 8 · In service since 2008 · For people with disabilities, families, people experiencing homelessness
  • Beautiful Light Inn HUD-assisted 150 Beautiful Ln, Whiteville 28472 30 homes, 29 low-income · For older adults
  • Hampton Place Tax credit (LIHTC) 800 Blue Jean Rd, Whiteville 28472 28 low-income homes · 1 bd: 8 · 2 bd: 20 · In service since 2002 · For families
  • Sandy Ridge Apartments HUD-assisted 704 Nolan Ave, Whiteville 28472 26 low-income homes · For families · (910) 642-8891
  • Evans Pointe II Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 101 Essie Mae Ct, Tabor City 28463 25 low-income homes · 1 bd: 13 · 2 bd: 12 · In service since 2004 · For families
  • Chadwick Place Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 106A Chadwick Place Dr, Chadbourn 28431 24 low-income homes · 2 bd: 20 · 3 bd: 4 · In service since 2004 · For families
  • Pireway Place Tax credit (LIHTC) 849 Pireway Rd, Tabor City 28463 24 low-income homes · 1 bd: 22 · 2 bd: 2 · In service since 2001 · For older adults
  • Landmark Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 621 Nolan Ave, Whiteville 28472 21 low-income homes · 1 bd: 19 · 2 bd: 2 · In service since 2001 · For older adults
  • Berry Park Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) Wilkes Street Extension, Chadbourn 28431 18 low-income homes · 1 bd: 18 · In service since 1999 · For older adults
  • River Bluff Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 2029 Main St, Fair Bluff 28439 17 low-income homes · 1 bd: 4 · 2 bd: 11 · 3 bd: 2 · In service since 2002 · For families
  • River Bend Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 539 Conway Rd, Fair Bluff 28439 16 low-income homes · 1 bd: 16 · In service since 1994 · For older adults
  • Cac of Columbus Co. HUD-assisted 615 N Wilson St, Chadbourn 28431 10 low-income homes · For people with disabilities · (910) 654-1023
  • Arc/HDS Columbus Co GH #2 HUD-assisted 101 Nolan Ave, Whiteville 28472 7 homes, 6 low-income · For people with disabilities · (910) 640-1737
  • Goremont HUD-assisted 11337 Joe Brown Hwy S, Tabor City 28463 6 low-income homes · For people with disabilities · (910) 653-5050
  • Arc/HDS Columbus County GH #1 HUD-assisted 220 E Columbus St, Whiteville 28472 6 homes, 5 low-income · For people with disabilities · (910) 642-5251
  • Forest Edge II Tax credit (LIHTC) 125 Tabor Xing, Tabor City 28463 48 homes

One property has two programs at the same address and appears once. Search HUD's map

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 Columbus 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 Columbus County. Here is what the rules say:

The rules, with their source

  1. 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. HUD

  2. 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). 24 CFR §5.603, §982.201(b)

  3. Each year, at least 75% of the families an agency admits from its list must have extremely low income (the 30% column). 24 CFR §982.201(b)(2)

  4. 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. 24 CFR §982.1(a)(3)

  5. When you move in, if the rent is above the payment standard, your share cannot go over 40% of your adjusted monthly income. 24 CFR §982.508

  6. Each agency sets a payment standard for each size. Without asking HUD, it can go from 90% to 110% of the fair market rent. 24 CFR §982.503(b), (c)

Mixed-status families: how assistance is figured
HUD income limits Yearly income of the whole family, before taxes.
People Extremely low (30%) Very low (50%) Low
$16,450 $27,450 $43,900
$21,640 $31,350 $50,150
$27,320 $35,250 $56,400
$33,000 $39,150 $62,650
$38,680 $42,300 $67,700
$44,360 $45,450 $72,700
$48,550 $48,550 $77,700
$51,700 $51,700 $82,700

Area median income: $67,300. HUD income limits by family size, Fiscal year 2026. Area: Columbus County, NC. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2026

How much can you earn? Check your case

Possible payment standard

  • Studio $772 – $944
  • 1 bedroom $777 – $949
  • 2 bedrooms $911 – $1,113
  • 3 bedrooms $1,085 – $1,327
  • 4 bedrooms $1,197 – $1,463

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

Housing agencies in North Carolina Source: HUD, Retrieved November 6, 2026

Your rights as a tenant in North Carolina

What North Carolina law says about deposits, notices and eviction, with the citation for each rule.

See your rights, rule by rule

Compare these rules with other states →

A summary of state law, not legal advice. Cities may have additional rules.

When must they return my deposit?
30 days
N.C. Gen. Stat. § 42-52
If I fall behind on rent, what notice must I get?
10 days
N.C. Gen. Stat. § 42-3
How much notice ends a month-to-month rental?
7 days
N.C. Gen. Stat. § 42-14
  • Only a court order can remove youN.C. Gen. Stat. § 42-25.6
  • Protection from retaliationN.C. Gen. Stat. § 42-37.1(b)

Help

Where to get help with rent in Columbus County

These are the nearest HUD-approved agencies. They counsel for free or at low cost.

  • City of Wilmington

    929 N Front St, Wilmington · 39 miles away · Spanish

    (910) 341-7836

  • Cape Fear Regional CDC

    500 Compton St, Wilmington · 40 miles away · Spanish

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Mortgage delinquency workshops
    • and 4 more
    (910) 762-7555

  • North Carolina Community Housing and Consulting, Inc

    321 Dick St Ste 102, Fayetteville · 56 miles away

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Mortgage delinquency workshops
    • and 6 more
    (910) 849-0113
See every agency in North Carolina Find legal aid (lsc.gov)

Tool

How much cash do you need to move in?

It starts with the 2-bedroom fair market rent in Columbus 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 North Carolina, the average home bill was $144 a month in 2024 (EIA). See electricity and gas costs

Open the full tool

Your move

We use the place's fair market rent and the state's deposit rule.

Adjust advanced details
Deposit and rent in advance
The deposit, in

Let's do the math

Cash to move in

$2,024

What you need before you get the keys.

What adds up

First month
$1,012
Security deposit
$1,012
Total
$2,024

The deposit cap

Pick your state to see whether its law caps the deposit.

Compare each state's rules →

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.
Guide: the security depositGuide: avoiding rental scamsFamily budgetHow much rent can I afford?

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.

Guides

Before you sign

Frequently asked questions

What is the fair market rent in Columbus County?

According to HUD (Fiscal year 2027): Studio: $858; 1 bedroom: $863; 2 bedrooms: $1,012; 3 bedrooms: $1,206; 4 bedrooms: $1,330. It covers rent plus basic utilities, except the phone.

How much do you need to earn to rent in Columbus County?

Paying the 2-bedroom fair market rent ($1,012) without spending more than 30% of income takes $19.46 an hour full time, or $40,480 a year.

Who qualifies for Section 8 in Columbus County?

Generally, families with very low income: no more than 50% of the area median income. For 4 people, HUD's limit here is $39,150 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 Columbus 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 $911 and $1,113 a month. Your agency publishes its figure.

Does the fair market rent change by ZIP code in Columbus County?

For 2 bedrooms they run from $1,010 in 28424 to $1,440 in 28436. 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 Columbus County?

HUD lists 30 properties with homes for low-income households in Columbus 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 Columbus County?

HUD counts rent as a burden when it reaches 30% of income or more. In Columbus County, 50% of renter households are in that position; in North Carolina, 49%, and nationwide, 51% (Average 2020–2024, Census).