Renting · Section 8
Data from November 2026
Renting in Northampton County, North Carolina
Northampton 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 $758 a month (Average 2020–2024). Paying the fair market rent without going over 30% of income takes $19.46 an hour, full time.
Four numbers to start with
- Fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
- $1,012
- a month, HUD, Fiscal year 2027
- 30% less than in North Carolina
- Typical rent
- $758
- a month, Census, Average 2020–2024
- 38% 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
- 51%
- spend 30% or more of income on rent
- 4% more than in North Carolina
Only here
Renting in Northampton County: what sets it apart
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
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Northampton County has the lowest typical rent in its area: $758, less than any of its 6 neighboring counties; next is Warren County ($790).
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23% of households in Northampton 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 Northampton 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)
| Size | Fair rent per month | Hourly wage | Income needed per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $811 | $15.60 | $32,440 |
| 1 bedroom | $817 | $15.71 | $32,680 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,012 | $19.46 | $40,480 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,206 | $23.19 | $48,240 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,346 | $25.88 | $53,840 |
HUD area: Northampton 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 15 ZIP codes in Northampton County (Fiscal year 2027). Type yours to see it.
For 2 bedrooms they run from $1,010 in 27820 to $1,410 in 27842. 11 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)
| 27820 | Northampton County, NC | $810 | $820 | $1,010 | $1,210 | $1,350 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27831 | Northampton County, NC | $830 | $840 | $1,040 | $1,240 | $1,380 |
| 27832 | Northampton County, NC | $840 | $850 | $1,050 | $1,250 | $1,400 |
| 27842 | Northampton County, NC | $1,130 | $1,130 | $1,410 | $1,690 | $1,880 |
| 27842 | Warren County, NC | $1,130 | $1,130 | $1,410 | $1,690 | $1,880 |
| 27845 | Northampton County, NC | $810 | $820 | $1,010 | $1,210 | $1,350 |
| 27853 | Northampton County, NC | $850 | $860 | $1,060 | $1,290 | $1,460 |
| 27862 | Northampton County, NC | $810 | $820 | $1,010 | $1,210 | $1,350 |
| 27866 | Northampton County, NC | $850 | $850 | $1,050 | $1,310 | $1,490 |
| 27869 | Bertie County, NC | $850 | $860 | $1,090 | $1,360 | $1,520 |
| 27869 | Northampton County, NC | $850 | $860 | $1,090 | $1,360 | $1,520 |
| 27876 | Northampton County, NC | $900 | $900 | $1,120 | $1,330 | $1,490 |
| 27877 | Northampton County, NC | $810 | $820 | $1,010 | $1,210 | $1,350 |
| 27897 | Hertford County, NC | $830 | $840 | $1,050 | $1,280 | $1,410 |
| 27897 | Northampton County, NC | $830 | $840 | $1,050 | $1,280 | $1,410 |
- 27820 · Northampton County, NC $1,010$1,210
- 27831 · Northampton County, NC $1,040$1,240
- 27832 · Northampton County, NC $1,050$1,250
- 27842 · Northampton County, NC $1,410$1,690
- 27842 · Warren County, NC $1,410$1,690
- 27845 · Northampton County, NC $1,010$1,210
- 27853 · Northampton County, NC $1,060$1,290
- 27862 · Northampton County, NC $1,010$1,210
- 27866 · Northampton County, NC $1,050$1,310
- 27869 · Bertie County, NC $1,090$1,360
- 27869 · Northampton County, NC $1,090$1,360
- 27876 · Northampton County, NC $1,120$1,330
- 27877 · Northampton County, NC $1,010$1,210
- 27897 · Hertford County, NC $1,050$1,280
- 27897 · Northampton County, NC $1,050$1,280
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 Northampton County, 51% 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.
51%
of renter households spend 30% or more of their income on rent.
1,997 households rent in Northampton County
- Spend half or more of their income 28%
- Spend 30% or more, but less than half 23%
- Spend less than 30% 49%
Compared with the state and the country
- Northampton 51%
- North Carolina 49%
- United States 51%
Low-income apartments
Low-income apartments in Northampton County
HUD lists 11 properties with homes for low-income households in Northampton 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)
- 2
- HUD-assisted
- 6
- public housing
- 3
344 homes in all; 341 of them low-income, according to HUD.
- Garysburg Project Public housing 104 Lowes Ct, Garysburg 27831 58 homes, 57 low-income · Run by Roanoke-Chowan Regional Housing Authority · Average payment: $258 a month · Average wait: 65 months · (252) 537-1051
- Woodland Project Public housing 101 Walnut St, Woodland 27897 50 low-income homes · Run by Roanoke-Chowan Regional Housing Authority · Average payment: $256 a month · Average wait: 35 months · (252) 537-1051
- Gaston Project Public housing 401 Broughton St, Gaston 27832 50 homes, 49 low-income · Run by Roanoke-Chowan Regional Housing Authority · Average payment: $288 a month · (252) 537-1051
- Countryside Estates HUD-assisted 314 Kennedy Dr, Seaboard 27876 40 low-income homes · For families · (252) 589-4311
- Conway Village Apts HUD-assisted 300 Woodard Blvd, Conway 27820 32 low-income homes · For families · (252) 585-0606
- Woodland Olney School Apartments Tax credit (LIHTC) 507 W Main St, Woodland 27897 30 low-income homes · 1 bd: 28 · 2 bd: 2 · In service since 1998 · For older adults
- Greenwood Terrace HUD-assisted 205 Tinsley Way, Gaston 27832 28 low-income homes · For families · (252) 537-1051
- Richland Tax credit (LIHTC) 521 N Main St, Rich Square 27869 24 low-income homes · 1 bd: 22 · 2 bd: 2 · In service since 1993 · For older adults
- Hampton Woods I HUD-assisted 110 Ridgecrest Ln, Jackson 27845 15 low-income homes · For older adults · (252) 534-7121
- Hampton Woods II HUD-assisted 110 Ridgecrest Ln, Jackson 27845 10 low-income homes · For older adults · (252) 534-7121
- Arc/HDS Northampton County Group Home HUD-assisted 112 Cherry St, Woodland 27897 7 homes, 6 low-income · For people with disabilities · (252) 587-0231
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 Northampton 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 Northampton County. Here is what the rules say:
The rules, with their source
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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
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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)
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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)
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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 §982.508
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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 | $16,450 | $27,450 | $43,900 |
| 2 people | $21,640 | $31,350 | $50,150 |
| 3 people | $27,320 | $35,250 | $56,400 |
| 4 people | $33,000 | $39,150 | $62,650 |
| 5 people | $38,680 | $42,300 | $67,700 |
| 6 people | $44,360 | $45,450 | $72,700 |
| 7 people | $48,550 | $48,550 | $77,700 |
| 8 people | $51,700 | $51,700 | $82,700 |
Area median income: $66,600. HUD income limits by family size, Fiscal year 2026. Area: Northampton County, NC. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2026
Possible payment standard
- Studio $730 – $892
- 1 bedroom $735 – $899
- 2 bedrooms $911 – $1,113
- 3 bedrooms $1,085 – $1,327
- 4 bedrooms $1,211 – $1,481
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
- Roanoke-Chowan Regional Housing Authority Public housing and Section 8 vouchers · 888 vouchers · 376 public housing units (252) 537-1051 Roanoke-Chowan Regional Housing Authority: tlindsey@rcrha.org
- Choanoke Area Development Association, Inc. Section 8 vouchers · 488 vouchers (252) 539-4155
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 ruleCompare 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 Northampton County
This HUD-approved agency has an office in Northampton County. They counsel for free or at low cost.
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Choanoke Area Development Association of Nc, Inc.
120 Sessoms Dr, Rich Square · Spanish
- Mortgage delinquency and default
- Mortgage delinquency workshops
- and 7 more
Tool
How much cash do you need to move in?
It starts with the 2-bedroom fair market rent in Northampton 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
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
$2,024
What you need before you get the keys.
What adds up
- First month
- $1,012
- Security deposit
- $1,012
- Total
- $2,024
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 Northampton County?
According to HUD (Fiscal year 2027): Studio: $811; 1 bedroom: $817; 2 bedrooms: $1,012; 3 bedrooms: $1,206; 4 bedrooms: $1,346. It covers rent plus basic utilities, except the phone.
How much do you need to earn to rent in Northampton 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 Northampton 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 Northampton 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 Northampton County?
For 2 bedrooms they run from $1,010 in 27820 to $1,410 in 27842. 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 Northampton County?
HUD lists 11 properties with homes for low-income households in Northampton 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 Northampton County?
HUD counts rent as a burden when it reaches 30% of income or more. In Northampton County, 51% of renter households are in that position; in North Carolina, 49%, and nationwide, 51% (Average 2020–2024, Census).