Renting · Section 8
Data from November 2026
Renting in Fairfield County, Ohio
Fairfield County has a HUD fair market rent of $1,602 a month for 2 bedrooms (Fiscal year 2027). Renter households here pay a typical rent of $1,172 a month (Average 2020–2024). Paying the fair market rent without going over 30% of income takes $30.81 an hour, full time.
Four numbers to start with
- Fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
- $1,602
- a month, HUD, Fiscal year 2027
- 26% more than in Ohio
- Typical rent
- $1,172
- a month, Census, Average 2020–2024
- 13% more than in Ohio
- Wage needed
- $30.81
- an hour, 2 bedrooms
- Or $64,080 a year, to spend no more than 30% of income on rent.
- Rent-burdened households
- 48%
- spend 30% or more of income on rent
- 5% more than in Ohio
Only here
Renting in Fairfield County: what sets it apart
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
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Among the neighboring counties, Vinton County has the lowest typical rent ($728), 38% below the $1,172 in Fairfield County.
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Fairfield County has the 5th highest typical rent of the 88 counties in Ohio ($1,172).
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Fairfield County has the 6th highest typical household income of the 88 counties in Ohio ($90,966).
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 Fairfield 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 Fairfield County was $1,562 a month in September 2026: 3.6% 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 | $1,258 | $24.19 | $50,320 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,346 | $25.88 | $53,840 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,602 | $30.81 | $64,080 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,909 | $36.71 | $76,360 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,172 | $41.77 | $86,880 |
HUD area: Columbus, OH HUD Metro FMR Area. 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 21 ZIP codes in Fairfield County (Fiscal year 2027). Type yours to see it.
For 2 bedrooms they run from $1,000 in 43150 to $2,040 in 43147. 1 ZIP code is above the county's fair market rent ($1,602).
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)
| 43046 | Columbus, OH | $1,060 | $1,130 | $1,350 | $1,610 | $1,830 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 43102 | Columbus, OH | $930 | $1,000 | $1,190 | $1,420 | $1,610 |
| 43102 | Hocking County, OH | $930 | $1,000 | $1,190 | $1,420 | $1,610 |
| 43105 | Columbus, OH | $900 | $970 | $1,150 | $1,370 | $1,560 |
| 43107 | Columbus, OH | $990 | $1,060 | $1,260 | $1,500 | $1,710 |
| 43107 | Hocking County, OH | $990 | $1,060 | $1,260 | $1,500 | $1,710 |
| 43107 | Perry County, OH | $990 | $1,060 | $1,260 | $1,500 | $1,710 |
| 43110 | Columbus, OH | $1,260 | $1,340 | $1,600 | $1,910 | $2,170 |
| 43112 | Columbus, OH | $930 | $1,000 | $1,190 | $1,420 | $1,610 |
| 43130 | Columbus, OH | $1,040 | $1,120 | $1,330 | $1,580 | $1,800 |
| 43130 | Hocking County, OH | $1,040 | $1,120 | $1,330 | $1,580 | $1,800 |
| 43136 | Columbus, OH | $1,260 | $1,340 | $1,600 | $1,910 | $2,170 |
| 43147 | Columbus, OH | $1,600 | $1,710 | $2,040 | $2,430 | $2,770 |
| 43148 | Columbus, OH | $1,060 | $1,120 | $1,330 | $1,600 | $1,850 |
| 43148 | Perry County, OH | $1,060 | $1,120 | $1,330 | $1,600 | $1,850 |
| 43150 | Columbus, OH | $800 | $850 | $1,000 | $1,210 | $1,400 |
| 43150 | Perry County, OH | $800 | $850 | $1,000 | $1,210 | $1,400 |
| 43154 | Columbus, OH | $1,110 | $1,180 | $1,410 | $1,680 | $1,910 |
| 43155 | Columbus, OH | $960 | $1,030 | $1,220 | $1,560 | $1,720 |
| 43155 | Hocking County, OH | $960 | $1,030 | $1,220 | $1,560 | $1,720 |
| 43157 | Columbus, OH | $1,100 | $1,180 | $1,400 | $1,670 | $1,900 |
- 43046 · Columbus, OH $1,350$1,610
- 43102 · Columbus, OH $1,190$1,420
- 43102 · Hocking County, OH $1,190$1,420
- 43105 · Columbus, OH $1,150$1,370
- 43107 · Columbus, OH $1,260$1,500
- 43107 · Hocking County, OH $1,260$1,500
- 43107 · Perry County, OH $1,260$1,500
- 43110 · Columbus, OH $1,600$1,910
- 43112 · Columbus, OH $1,190$1,420
- 43130 · Columbus, OH $1,330$1,580
- 43130 · Hocking County, OH $1,330$1,580
- 43136 · Columbus, OH $1,600$1,910
- 43147 · Columbus, OH $2,040$2,430
- 43148 · Columbus, OH $1,330$1,600
- 43148 · Perry County, OH $1,330$1,600
- 43150 · Columbus, OH $1,000$1,210
- 43150 · Perry County, OH $1,000$1,210
- 43154 · Columbus, OH $1,410$1,680
- 43155 · Columbus, OH $1,220$1,560
- 43155 · Hocking County, OH $1,220$1,560
- 43157 · Columbus, OH $1,400$1,670
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 Fairfield County, 48% 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.
48%
of renter households spend 30% or more of their income on rent.
15,139 households rent in Fairfield County
- Spend half or more of their income 20%
- Spend 30% or more, but less than half 28%
- Spend less than 30% 52%
Compared with the state and the country
- Fairfield 48%
- Ohio 46%
- United States 51%
Low-income apartments
Low-income apartments in Fairfield County
HUD lists 23 properties with homes for low-income households in Fairfield County: tax-credit apartments (LIHTC) and HUD-assisted buildings. They run from the most low-income homes to the fewest.
- with tax credits (LIHTC)
- 15
- HUD-assisted
- 13
1,124 homes in all; 1,023 of them low-income, according to HUD.
- River Valley Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 2039 Farmview Dr, Lancaster 43130 144 low-income homes · In service since 1994
- Hunterwood Park Tax credit (LIHTC) · HUD-assisted 330 Trace Dr, Lancaster 43130 101 low-income homes · 1 bd: 50 · 2 bd: 31 · 3 bd: 16 · 4 bd: 4 · In service since 2010 · For older adults · (740) 687-1314
- Hunters Hill Tax credit (LIHTC) 888 Elizabeth Dr, Lancaster 43130 96 low-income homes · In service since 1993
- Lancaster Club Apartments Tax credit (LIHTC) · HUD-assisted 180 Sells Rd, Lancaster 43130 92 low-income homes · 2 bd: 48 · 3 bd: 44 · In service since 2020 · For families · (740) 653-3616
- Windsor Place Tax credit (LIHTC) · HUD-assisted 141 Graceland Dr, Lancaster 43130 82 low-income homes · 1 bd: 81 · 2 bd: 1 · In service since 2006 · For older adults · (740) 687-1664
- Muirwood Village Phase II Tax credit (LIHTC) 321 Scotland Pl, Lancaster 43130 128 homes, 64 low-income · In service since 1989
- MT. Pleasant Place HUD-assisted 963 Prestige Blvd, Lancaster 43130 52 low-income homes · For older adults · (740) 681-9659
- Pleasant View Place HUD-assisted 1690 Chartwell Dr, Lancaster 43130 50 homes, 49 low-income · For older adults · (614) 228-5200
- Grand Haven Commons HUD-assisted 7500 Tussing Rd, Reynoldsburg 43068 49 low-income homes · For older adults · (614) 322-9290
- Pershing House Tax credit (LIHTC) 1549 N Columbus St, Lancaster 43130 40 low-income homes · 1 bd: 33 · 2 bd: 7 · In service since 2007 · For older adults
- Walnut Creek Village HUD-assisted 1051 S Main St, Baltimore 43105 40 low-income homes · For people with disabilities · (740) 862-6570
- Canal Place Tax credit (LIHTC) 107 S Columbus St, Lancaster 43130 36 low-income homes · Studio: 2 · 1 bd: 23 · 2 bd: 10 · 3 bd: 1 · In service since 2001 · For older adults
- New Seton Lancaster Tax credit (LIHTC) · HUD-assisted 232 Gay St, Lancaster 43130 33 low-income homes · 1 bd: 33 · In service since 2009 · For older adults · (740) 681-1403
- Pickfair Square HUD-assisted 310 Jericho Rd, Pickerington 43147 33 low-income homes · For older adults · (614) 833-2772
- Pleasantville Commons Tax credit (LIHTC) 3610 Richland Rd NE, Pleasantville 43148 32 low-income homes · 1 bd: 8 · 2 bd: 14 · 3 bd: 10 · In service since 2004
- Pleasant View Tax credit (LIHTC) · HUD-assisted 114 Academy St, Pleasantville 43148 30 low-income homes · 1 bd: 30 · In service since 2008 · For older adults · (740) 468-3495
- Lakeland Townhomes Tax credit (LIHTC) 2121 Refugee St, Millersport 43046 24 low-income homes · In service since 1988
- Ault Manor. Inc. HUD-assisted 188 Sells Rd, Lancaster 43130 8 low-income homes · For people with disabilities · (740) 681-4364
- Orchard Place Housing Corp. HUD-assisted 1524 Monmouth Dr, Lancaster 43130 8 low-income homes · For people with disabilities · (740) 687-3365
- Cherry Gardens HUD-assisted 132 N Cherry St, Lancaster 43130 7 low-income homes · For people with disabilities · (740) 653-7722
- Lupher Rentals Tax credit (LIHTC) 703 W Mulberry St, Lancaster 43130 2 low-income homes · In service since 1988
- Shoshone Tax credit (LIHTC) 438 Shoshone Dr, Lancaster 43130 1 low-income home · In service since 1988
- Pearl House Tax credit (LIHTC) 218 W Chestnut St, Lancaster 43130 36 homes · In service since 2014
5 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 Fairfield 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 Fairfield 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 | $23,450 | $39,050 | $62,450 |
| 2 people | $26,800 | $44,600 | $71,400 |
| 3 people | $30,150 | $50,200 | $80,300 |
| 4 people | $33,450 | $55,750 | $89,200 |
| 5 people | $38,680 | $60,250 | $96,350 |
| 6 people | $44,360 | $64,700 | $103,500 |
| 7 people | $50,040 | $69,150 | $110,650 |
| 8 people | $55,720 | $73,600 | $117,750 |
Area median income: $111,500. HUD income limits by family size, Fiscal year 2026. Area: Columbus, OH HUD Metro FMR Area. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2026
Possible payment standard
- Studio $1,132 – $1,384
- 1 bedroom $1,211 – $1,481
- 2 bedrooms $1,442 – $1,762
- 3 bedrooms $1,718 – $2,100
- 4 bedrooms $1,955 – $2,389
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
- Fairfield Metropolitan Housing Authority Section 8 vouchers · 1,106 vouchers (740) 653-6618 Fairfield Metropolitan Housing Authority: hcagg@fairfieldmha.org
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 Fairfield County
These are the nearest HUD-approved agencies. They counsel for free or at low cost.
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Apprisen - CCCS of Central Ohio, Inc.
700 Taylor Rd Ste 190, Gahanna · 22 miles away
- Mortgage delinquency and default
- Budget and financial counseling
- and 2 more
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Columbus Urban League
788 Mount Vernon Ave, Columbus · 24 miles away
- Budget and financial counseling
- Pre-purchase counseling
- and 2 more
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Columbus Housing Partnership, Inc, DBA Homeport
3443 Agler Rd, Columbus · 24 miles away
- Mortgage delinquency and default
- Mortgage delinquency workshops
- and 9 more
Tool
How much cash do you need to move in?
It starts with the 2-bedroom fair market rent in Fairfield 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
$3,204
What you need before you get the keys.
What adds up
- First month
- $1,602
- Security deposit
- $1,602
- Total
- $3,204
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 Fairfield County?
According to HUD (Fiscal year 2027): Studio: $1,258; 1 bedroom: $1,346; 2 bedrooms: $1,602; 3 bedrooms: $1,909; 4 bedrooms: $2,172. It covers rent plus basic utilities, except the phone.
How much do you need to earn to rent in Fairfield County?
Paying the 2-bedroom fair market rent ($1,602) without spending more than 30% of income takes $30.81 an hour full time, or $64,080 a year.
Who qualifies for Section 8 in Fairfield County?
Generally, families with very low income: no more than 50% of the area median income. For 4 people, HUD's limit here is $55,750 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 Fairfield 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 $1,442 and $1,762 a month. Your agency publishes its figure.
Does the fair market rent change by ZIP code in Fairfield County?
For 2 bedrooms they run from $1,000 in 43150 to $2,040 in 43147. 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 Fairfield County?
HUD lists 23 properties with homes for low-income households in Fairfield County: tax-credit apartments (LIHTC) and HUD-assisted buildings. 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 Fairfield County?
HUD counts rent as a burden when it reaches 30% of income or more. In Fairfield County, 48% of renter households are in that position; in Ohio, 46%, and nationwide, 51% (Average 2020–2024, Census).