Renting · Section 8
Data from November 2026
Renting in Polk County, Oregon
Polk County has a HUD fair market rent of $1,692 a month for 2 bedrooms (Fiscal year 2027). Renter households here pay a typical rent of $1,299 a month (Average 2020–2024). Paying the fair market rent without going over 30% of income takes $32.54 an hour, full time.
Four numbers to start with
- Fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
- $1,692
- a month, HUD, Fiscal year 2027
- About the same as in Oregon
- Typical rent
- $1,299
- a month, Census, Average 2020–2024
- 15% less than in Oregon
- Wage needed
- $32.54
- an hour, 2 bedrooms
- Or $67,680 a year, to spend no more than 30% of income on rent.
- Rent-burdened households
- 52%
- spend 30% or more of income on rent
- 1% less than in Oregon
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 Polk 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 Polk County was $1,769 a month in September 2026: about the same as 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 | $1,285 | $24.71 | $51,400 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,294 | $24.88 | $51,760 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,692 | $32.54 | $67,680 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,341 | $45.02 | $93,640 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,564 | $49.31 | $102,560 |
HUD area: Salem, OR 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 8 ZIP codes in Polk County (Fiscal year 2027). Type yours to see it.
For 2 bedrooms they run from $1,430 in 97344 to $1,970 in 97351. 4 ZIP codes are above the county's fair market rent ($1,692).
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)
| 97304 | Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $1,420 | $1,510 | $1,830 | $2,530 | $2,800 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 97304 | Salem, OR | $1,420 | $1,510 | $1,830 | $2,530 | $2,800 |
| 97338 | Salem, OR | $1,180 | $1,190 | $1,560 | $2,160 | $2,360 |
| 97344 | Salem, OR | $1,090 | $1,090 | $1,430 | $1,980 | $2,170 |
| 97351 | Salem, OR | $1,500 | $1,510 | $1,970 | $2,730 | $2,980 |
| 97361 | Corvallis, OR | $1,220 | $1,310 | $1,650 | $2,290 | $2,580 |
| 97361 | Salem, OR | $1,220 | $1,310 | $1,650 | $2,290 | $2,580 |
| 97371 | Salem, OR | $1,320 | $1,350 | $1,720 | $2,380 | $2,640 |
- 97304 · Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $1,830$2,530
- 97304 · Salem, OR $1,830$2,530
- 97338 · Salem, OR $1,560$2,160
- 97344 · Salem, OR $1,430$1,980
- 97351 · Salem, OR $1,970$2,730
- 97361 · Corvallis, OR $1,650$2,290
- 97361 · Salem, OR $1,650$2,290
- 97371 · Salem, OR $1,720$2,380
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 Polk County, 52% of renter households are in that position; in Oregon, 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.
52%
of renter households spend 30% or more of their income on rent.
11,643 households rent in Polk County
- Spend half or more of their income 26%
- Spend 30% or more, but less than half 26%
- Spend less than 30% 48%
Compared with the state and the country
- Polk 52%
- Oregon 52%
- United States 51%
Low-income apartments
Low-income apartments in Polk County
HUD lists 11 properties with homes for low-income households in Polk 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)
- 4
- HUD-assisted
- 3
- public housing
- 4
626 homes in all; 612 of them low-income, according to HUD.
- Pioneer Village Public housing 261 Taybin Rd NW, Salem 97304 160 low-income homes · Run by Housing and Urban Renewal Agency of Polk County · Average payment: $402 a month · Average wait: 36 months · (503) 623-8387
- Kingwood West Public housing 1937 Dallas Hwy NW, Salem 97304 100 low-income homes · Run by Housing and Urban Renewal Agency of Polk County · Average payment: $381 a month · Average wait: 25 months · (503) 623-8387
- Dallas/Independence AMP Public housing 345 SW Donald St, Dallas 97338 91 homes, 89 low-income · Run by Housing and Urban Renewal Agency of Polk County · Average payment: $590 a month · Average wait: 38 months · Homes at several sites · (503) 623-8387
- Salem Housing Rad Preservation 9 HUD-assisted 1560 Brush College Rd NW, Salem 97304 54 low-income homes · For families · (503) 588-6368
- Woodbridge Meadows Tax credit (LIHTC) 288 SE Dimick St, Dallas 97338 40 low-income homes · 2 bd: 19 · 3 bd: 21 · In service since 2002 · For families
- Colonia Amistad Tax credit (LIHTC) 30 S Gun Club Rd, Independence 97351 38 homes, 37 low-income · 2 bd: 15 · 3 bd: 19 · 4 bd: 4 · In service since 2007 · For families
- Rickreall Creek Townhomes Tax credit (LIHTC) 277 SW Walnut Ave, Dallas 97338 36 low-income homes · 2 bd: 16 · 3 bd: 20 · In service since 2007 · For families
- Franklin Place Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 317 Ecols St S, Monmouth 97361 34 low-income homes · 1 bd: 17 · 2 bd: 14 · 3 bd: 3 · In service since 1992 · For older adults, families
- 11-4 Multifamily Public housing 1292 Orchard Heights Rd NW, Salem 97304 30 low-income homes · Run by Housing Authority of the City of Salem · (503) 588-6368
- Village Apartments, the HUD-assisted 373 Catron St N, Monmouth 97361 23 homes, 22 low-income · For older adults · (503) 838-0735
- College Manor HUD-assisted 265 College St S, Monmouth 97361 20 homes, 10 low-income · For families · (503) 838-0259
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 Polk 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 Polk 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 | $21,400 | $35,650 | $57,050 |
| 2 people | $24,450 | $40,750 | $65,200 |
| 3 people | $27,500 | $45,850 | $73,350 |
| 4 people | $33,000 | $50,900 | $81,450 |
| 5 people | $38,680 | $55,000 | $88,000 |
| 6 people | $44,360 | $59,050 | $94,500 |
| 7 people | $50,040 | $63,150 | $101,000 |
| 8 people | $55,720 | $67,200 | $107,550 |
Area median income: $103,400. HUD income limits by family size, Fiscal year 2026. Area: Salem, OR MSA. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2026
Possible payment standard
- Studio $1,157 – $1,414
- 1 bedroom $1,165 – $1,423
- 2 bedrooms $1,523 – $1,861
- 3 bedrooms $2,107 – $2,575
- 4 bedrooms $2,308 – $2,820
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 and Urban Renewal Agency of Polk County Public housing and Section 8 vouchers · 765 vouchers · 349 public housing units (503) 623-8387 Housing and Urban Renewal Agency of Polk County: wvpha@wvpha.org
Housing agencies in Oregon Source: HUD, Retrieved November 6, 2026
Your rights as a tenant in Oregon
What Oregon 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?
- 31 days
- ORS 90.300(13)
- If I fall behind on rent, what notice must I get?
- 10 days
- ORS 90.394(2)
- How much notice ends a month-to-month rental?
- 30 days
- ORS 90.427(3)
- How much notice before a rent increase?
- 7 or 90 days, depending on the case
- ORS 90.323(1)-(2)
- Only a court order can remove youORS 90.375
- Protection from retaliationORS 90.385(1)
- Protection related to immigration statusORS 90.306
Help
Where to get help with rent in Polk County
These are the nearest HUD-approved agencies. They counsel for free or at low cost.
-
DevNW
528 Cottage St NE Ste 304, Salem · 18 miles away · Spanish
- Mortgage delinquency and default
- Mortgage delinquency workshops
- and 7 more
-
Housing Authority of Yamhill County
135 NE Dunn Pl, McMinnville · 24 miles away · Spanish
- Mortgage delinquency and default
- Budget and financial counseling
- and 5 more
-
DevNW
2525 SE 3rd St, Corvallis · 26 miles away · 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 Polk 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 Oregon, the average home bill was $130 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
$3,384
What you need before you get the keys.
What adds up
- First month
- $1,692
- Security deposit
- $1,692
- Total
- $3,384
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 Polk County?
According to HUD (Fiscal year 2027): Studio: $1,285; 1 bedroom: $1,294; 2 bedrooms: $1,692; 3 bedrooms: $2,341; 4 bedrooms: $2,564. It covers rent plus basic utilities, except the phone.
How much do you need to earn to rent in Polk County?
Paying the 2-bedroom fair market rent ($1,692) without spending more than 30% of income takes $32.54 an hour full time, or $67,680 a year.
Who qualifies for Section 8 in Polk County?
Generally, families with very low income: no more than 50% of the area median income. For 4 people, HUD's limit here is $50,900 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 Polk 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 $1,523 and $1,861 a month. Your agency publishes its figure.
Does the fair market rent change by ZIP code in Polk County?
For 2 bedrooms they run from $1,430 in 97344 to $1,970 in 97351. 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 Polk County?
HUD lists 11 properties with homes for low-income households in Polk 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 Polk County?
HUD counts rent as a burden when it reaches 30% of income or more. In Polk County, 52% of renter households are in that position; in Oregon, 52%, and nationwide, 51% (Average 2020–2024, Census).