Renting · Section 8
Data from November 2026
Renting in Allen County, Ohio
Allen County has a HUD fair market rent of $1,179 a month for 2 bedrooms (Fiscal year 2027). Renter households here pay a typical rent of $922 a month (Average 2020–2024). Paying the fair market rent without going over 30% of income takes $22.67 an hour, full time.
Four numbers to start with
- Fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
- $1,179
- a month, HUD, Fiscal year 2027
- 7% less than in Ohio
- Typical rent
- $922
- a month, Census, Average 2020–2024
- 11% less than in Ohio
- Wage needed
- $22.67
- an hour, 2 bedrooms
- Or $47,160 a year, to spend no more than 30% of income on rent.
- Rent-burdened households
- 41%
- spend 30% or more of income on rent
- 11% less than in Ohio
Only here
Renting in Allen County: what sets it apart
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
-
Among the neighboring counties, Van Wert County has the lowest typical rent ($782), 15% below the $922 in Allen County.
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 Allen 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 Allen County was $1,208 a month in September 2026: 3.8% 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 | $895 | $17.21 | $35,800 |
| 1 bedroom | $901 | $17.33 | $36,040 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,179 | $22.67 | $47,160 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,418 | $27.27 | $56,720 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,571 | $30.21 | $62,840 |
HUD area: Lima, OH 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 24 ZIP codes in Allen County (Fiscal year 2027). Type yours to see it.
For 2 bedrooms they run from $1,040 in 45817 to $1,280 in 45806. 12 ZIP codes are above the county's fair market rent ($1,179).
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)
| 45801 | Lima, OH | $870 | $880 | $1,150 | $1,380 | $1,530 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 45804 | Lima, OH | $910 | $920 | $1,200 | $1,440 | $1,600 |
| 45805 | Lima, OH | $920 | $920 | $1,210 | $1,460 | $1,610 |
| 45806 | Auglaize County, OH | $970 | $980 | $1,280 | $1,580 | $1,760 |
| 45806 | Lima, OH | $970 | $980 | $1,280 | $1,580 | $1,760 |
| 45807 | Lima, OH | $930 | $940 | $1,230 | $1,480 | $1,640 |
| 45807 | Putnam County, OH | $930 | $940 | $1,230 | $1,480 | $1,640 |
| 45808 | Lima, OH | $960 | $960 | $1,260 | $1,520 | $1,680 |
| 45809 | Lima, OH | $930 | $940 | $1,230 | $1,480 | $1,640 |
| 45817 | Hancock County, OH | $780 | $800 | $1,040 | $1,340 | $1,530 |
| 45817 | Lima, OH | $780 | $800 | $1,040 | $1,340 | $1,530 |
| 45817 | Putnam County, OH | $780 | $800 | $1,040 | $1,340 | $1,530 |
| 45820 | Lima, OH | $900 | $910 | $1,190 | $1,430 | $1,590 |
| 45833 | Lima, OH | $830 | $840 | $1,080 | $1,320 | $1,450 |
| 45833 | Putnam County, OH | $830 | $840 | $1,080 | $1,320 | $1,450 |
| 45833 | Van Wert County, OH | $830 | $840 | $1,080 | $1,320 | $1,450 |
| 45850 | Auglaize County, OH | $960 | $970 | $1,250 | $1,520 | $1,690 |
| 45850 | Hardin County, OH | $960 | $970 | $1,250 | $1,520 | $1,690 |
| 45850 | Lima, OH | $960 | $970 | $1,250 | $1,520 | $1,690 |
| 45854 | Lima, OH | $810 | $810 | $1,070 | $1,280 | $1,440 |
| 45887 | Auglaize County, OH | $870 | $880 | $1,150 | $1,400 | $1,550 |
| 45887 | Lima, OH | $870 | $880 | $1,150 | $1,400 | $1,550 |
| 45887 | Mercer County, OH | $870 | $880 | $1,150 | $1,400 | $1,550 |
| 45887 | Van Wert County, OH | $870 | $880 | $1,150 | $1,400 | $1,550 |
- 45801 · Lima, OH $1,150$1,380
- 45804 · Lima, OH $1,200$1,440
- 45805 · Lima, OH $1,210$1,460
- 45806 · Auglaize County, OH $1,280$1,580
- 45806 · Lima, OH $1,280$1,580
- 45807 · Lima, OH $1,230$1,480
- 45807 · Putnam County, OH $1,230$1,480
- 45808 · Lima, OH $1,260$1,520
- 45809 · Lima, OH $1,230$1,480
- 45817 · Hancock County, OH $1,040$1,340
- 45817 · Lima, OH $1,040$1,340
- 45817 · Putnam County, OH $1,040$1,340
- 45820 · Lima, OH $1,190$1,430
- 45833 · Lima, OH $1,080$1,320
- 45833 · Putnam County, OH $1,080$1,320
- 45833 · Van Wert County, OH $1,080$1,320
- 45850 · Auglaize County, OH $1,250$1,520
- 45850 · Hardin County, OH $1,250$1,520
- 45850 · Lima, OH $1,250$1,520
- 45854 · Lima, OH $1,070$1,280
- 45887 · Auglaize County, OH $1,150$1,400
- 45887 · Lima, OH $1,150$1,400
- 45887 · Mercer County, OH $1,150$1,400
- 45887 · Van Wert County, OH $1,150$1,400
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 Allen County, 41% of renter households are in that position; in Ohio, 46%, 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.
41%
of renter households spend 30% or more of their income on rent.
13,343 households rent in Allen County
- Spend half or more of their income 20%
- Spend 30% or more, but less than half 21%
- Spend less than 30% 59%
Compared with the state and the country
- Allen 41%
- Ohio 46%
- United States 51%
Low-income apartments
Low-income apartments in Allen County
HUD lists 32 properties with homes for low-income households in Allen 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)
- 12
- HUD-assisted
- 21
- public housing
- 1
2,138 homes in all; 1,959 of them low-income, according to HUD.
- Scattered Site: Acquisition Public housing 936 W Robb Ave, Lima 45801 244 homes, 243 low-income · Run by Allen Metropolitan Housing Authority · Average payment: $417 a month · Average wait: 12 months · Homes at several sites · (419) 228-6065
- Lima Towers HUD-assisted 790 S Main St, Lima 45804 200 low-income homes · For older adults · (419) 227-7744
- Maplewood/Northwood Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) · HUD-assisted 531 Brower Rd, Lima 45801 196 low-income homes · 1 bd: 32 · 2 bd: 104 · 3 bd: 44 · 4 bd: 16 · In service since 2007 · For families · (419) 229-4488
- Willow Lake Apt Homes Tax credit (LIHTC) 2260 Lake Circle Dr, Lima 45801 192 low-income homes · 1 bd: 88 · 2 bd: 96 · 3 bd: 8 · In service since 1998 · For older adults
- Luther Pines HUD-assisted 805 S Mumaugh Rd, Lima 45804 109 homes, 108 low-income · For older adults · (419) 225-9045
- Brower Commons Tax credit (LIHTC) 1170 Adamlee Pl, Lima 45801 90 low-income homes · 2 bd: 56 · 3 bd: 34 · In service since 1998
- Lima Club West Apartments HUD-assisted 1855A N Cole St, Lima 45801 86 homes, 85 low-income · For older adults · (419) 225-1355
- Deer Creek Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 1070 Lima Ave, Delphos 45833 84 low-income homes · 2 bd: 70 · 3 bd: 14 · In service since 1999 · For older adults
- Waterford Townhomes Tax credit (LIHTC) 515 Hope St, Lima 45804 92 homes, 82 low-income · 2 bd: 40 · 3 bd: 52 · In service since 2002
- Lima Apartments HUD-assisted 760 E 4th St, Lima 45804 70 low-income homes · For older adults · (419) 227-5325
- Barr Senior Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 204 N Union St, Lima 45801 69 low-income homes · In service since 1994
- New Lima Homes Tax credit (LIHTC) 209 E 10th St, Lima 45804 60 low-income homes · 4 bd: 60 · In service since 2005 · For people with disabilities
- Pilgrim Place HUD-assisted 449 S Main St, Lima 45804 51 homes, 50 low-income · For older adults · (419) 227-6802
- Dominion Building Apartments HUD-assisted 108 E High St, Lima 45801 50 homes, 49 low-income · For older adults · (419) 224-2224
- Town Square Apartments HUD-assisted 72 Public Sq, Lima 45801 45 low-income homes · For families · (419) 227-5732
- Vance Street Housing HUD-assisted 137 Vance St, Bluffton 45817 40 low-income homes · For older adults · (419) 358-7795
- Wilshire Place Tax credit (LIHTC) · HUD-assisted 1500 Deerfield Dr, Lima 45805 40 low-income homes · 2 bd: 30 · 3 bd: 10 · In service since 2012 · For families · (419) 225-7067
- Melford Village HUD-assisted 600 S College St, Spencerville 45887 38 low-income homes · For families · (419) 647-4518
- Melford Village Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 600 Wurster DR, Spencerville 45887 38 low-income homes · 2 bd: 29 · 3 bd: 7 · 4 bd: 2 · In service since 2011
- Delphos Senior Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 263 Elida Rd, Delphos 45833 32 low-income homes · 2 bd: 32 · In service since 2011 · For older adults
- Market Place HUD-assisted 232 N Cole St, Lima 45805 25 low-income homes · For older adults · (419) 222-0155
- Union Square Tax credit (LIHTC) 200 E Elm St, Lima 45801 24 low-income homes · Studio: 23 · In service since 2015
- NWC Corporation HUD-assisted 1404 N West St, Lima 45801 20 low-income homes · For people with disabilities · (419) 228-8400
- Robin Rogers Apartments HUD-assisted 990 W Robb Ave, Lima 45801 20 low-income homes · For people with disabilities · (419) 222-1699
- Greenway Apartments HUD-assisted 710 N Main St, Lima 45801 13 low-income homes · For people with disabilities · (419) 222-1699
- NWC Corporation HUD 2, Inc. HUD-assisted 625 W Spring St, Lima 45801 12 low-income homes · For people with disabilities · (419) 228-8400
- Spring Street Senior Lofts HUD-assisted 656 W Spring St, Lima 45801 79 homes, 9 low-income · (513) 964-1141
- Dalton House I & II HUD-assisted 1504 W Elm St, Lima 45805 10 homes, 8 low-income · For people with disabilities · (419) 222-8663
- Cedar House HUD-assisted 1295 Pebble Creek Dr, Lima 45801 8 homes, 7 low-income · For people with disabilities · (419) 222-1699
- Pine House HUD-assisted 1295 Pebble Creek Dr, Lima 45801 8 homes, 7 low-income · For people with disabilities · (419) 222-1699
- 43 Town Square HUD-assisted 43 Town Sq, Lima 45801 45 homes, 3 low-income · (614) 384-1711
- Union Square Tax credit (LIHTC) 200 E Elm St, Lima 45801 48 homes
2 properties have two programs at the same address and appear 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 Allen County
The Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) pays part of your rent on a home you choose. Your public housing agency runs it. 1 agency serves in Allen 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 | $18,450 | $30,800 | $49,250 |
| 2 people | $21,640 | $35,200 | $56,250 |
| 3 people | $27,320 | $39,600 | $63,300 |
| 4 people | $33,000 | $43,950 | $70,300 |
| 5 people | $38,680 | $47,500 | $76,000 |
| 6 people | $44,360 | $51,000 | $81,600 |
| 7 people | $50,040 | $54,500 | $87,250 |
| 8 people | $55,720 | $58,050 | $92,850 |
Area median income: $85,700. HUD income limits by family size, Fiscal year 2026. Area: Lima, OH MSA. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2026
Possible payment standard
- Studio $806 – $985
- 1 bedroom $811 – $991
- 2 bedrooms $1,061 – $1,297
- 3 bedrooms $1,276 – $1,560
- 4 bedrooms $1,414 – $1,728
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
- Allen Metropolitan Housing Authority Public housing and Section 8 vouchers · 1,058 vouchers · 243 public housing units (419) 228-6065 Allen Metropolitan Housing Authority: tiffany_wright@allenmha.com
Housing agencies in Ohio Source: HUD, Retrieved November 6, 2026
Your rights as a tenant in Ohio
What Ohio 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
- Ohio Rev. Code §5321.16(B)
- If I fall behind on rent, what notice must I get?
- 3 days
- Ohio Rev. Code §1923.04(A)
- How much notice ends a month-to-month rental?
- 30 days
- Ohio Rev. Code §5321.17(B)
- Only a court order can remove youOhio Rev. Code §5321.15(A)
- Protection from retaliationOhio Rev. Code §5321.02(A)
Help
Where to get help with rent in Allen County
This HUD-approved agency has an office in Allen County. They counsel for free or at low cost.
-
West Ohio Community Action Partnership
540 S Central Ave, Lima
- Mortgage delinquency workshops
- Budget and financial counseling
- and 6 more
Tool
How much cash do you need to move in?
It starts with the 2-bedroom fair market rent in Allen 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 Ohio, the average home bill was $135 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
$2,358
What you need before you get the keys.
What adds up
- First month
- $1,179
- Security deposit
- $1,179
- Total
- $2,358
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 Allen County?
According to HUD (Fiscal year 2027): Studio: $895; 1 bedroom: $901; 2 bedrooms: $1,179; 3 bedrooms: $1,418; 4 bedrooms: $1,571. It covers rent plus basic utilities, except the phone.
How much do you need to earn to rent in Allen County?
Paying the 2-bedroom fair market rent ($1,179) without spending more than 30% of income takes $22.67 an hour full time, or $47,160 a year.
Who qualifies for Section 8 in Allen County?
Generally, families with very low income: no more than 50% of the area median income. For 4 people, HUD's limit here is $43,950 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 Allen 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 $1,061 and $1,297 a month. Your agency publishes its figure.
Does the fair market rent change by ZIP code in Allen County?
For 2 bedrooms they run from $1,040 in 45817 to $1,280 in 45806. 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 Allen County?
HUD lists 32 properties with homes for low-income households in Allen 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 Allen County?
HUD counts rent as a burden when it reaches 30% of income or more. In Allen County, 41% of renter households are in that position; in Ohio, 46%, and nationwide, 51% (Average 2020–2024, Census).