Renting · Section 8
Data from November 2026
Renting in Wasco County, Oregon
Wasco County has a HUD fair market rent of $1,604 a month for 2 bedrooms (Fiscal year 2027). Renter households here pay a typical rent of $1,008 a month (Average 2020–2024). Paying the fair market rent without going over 30% of income takes $30.85 an hour, full time.
Four numbers to start with
- Fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
- $1,604
- a month, HUD, Fiscal year 2027
- 5% less than in Oregon
- Typical rent
- $1,008
- a month, Census, Average 2020–2024
- 34% less than in Oregon
- Wage needed
- $30.85
- an hour, 2 bedrooms
- Or $64,160 a year, to spend no more than 30% of income on rent.
- Rent-burdened households
- 46%
- spend 30% or more of income on rent
- 12% 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 Wasco 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 Wasco County was $1,797 a month in September 2026: 0.9% 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 | $1,289 | $24.79 | $51,560 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,297 | $24.94 | $51,880 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,604 | $30.85 | $64,160 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,221 | $42.71 | $88,840 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,681 | $51.56 | $107,240 |
HUD area: Wasco County, OR. 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 9 ZIP codes in Wasco County (Fiscal year 2027). Type yours to see it.
For 2 bedrooms they run from $1,560 in 97058 to $2,180 in 97057. 5 ZIP codes are above the county's fair market rent ($1,604).
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)
| 97001 | Wasco County, OR | $1,290 | $1,290 | $1,600 | $2,220 | $2,670 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 97021 | Wasco County, OR | $1,530 | $1,540 | $1,900 | $2,630 | $3,180 |
| 97037 | Wasco County, OR | $1,750 | $1,760 | $2,180 | $3,020 | $3,640 |
| 97040 | Wasco County, OR | $1,610 | $1,620 | $2,000 | $2,770 | $3,340 |
| 97057 | Wasco County, OR | $1,750 | $1,760 | $2,180 | $3,020 | $3,640 |
| 97058 | Wasco County, OR | $1,250 | $1,260 | $1,560 | $2,160 | $2,610 |
| 97063 | Wasco County, OR | $1,600 | $1,620 | $2,010 | $2,780 | $3,240 |
| 97761 | Jefferson County, OR | $1,220 | $1,220 | $1,560 | $2,150 | $2,540 |
| 97761 | Wasco County, OR | $1,220 | $1,220 | $1,560 | $2,150 | $2,540 |
- 97001 · Wasco County, OR $1,600$2,220
- 97021 · Wasco County, OR $1,900$2,630
- 97037 · Wasco County, OR $2,180$3,020
- 97040 · Wasco County, OR $2,000$2,770
- 97057 · Wasco County, OR $2,180$3,020
- 97058 · Wasco County, OR $1,560$2,160
- 97063 · Wasco County, OR $2,010$2,780
- 97761 · Jefferson County, OR $1,560$2,150
- 97761 · Wasco County, OR $1,560$2,150
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 Wasco County, 46% 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.
46%
of renter households spend 30% or more of their income on rent.
3,432 households rent in Wasco County
- Spend half or more of their income 28%
- Spend 30% or more, but less than half 18%
- Spend less than 30% 54%
Compared with the state and the country
- Wasco 46%
- Oregon 52%
- United States 51%
Low-income apartments
Low-income apartments in Wasco County
HUD lists 6 properties with homes for low-income households in Wasco County: tax-credit apartments (LIHTC) and HUD-assisted buildings. They run from the most low-income homes to the fewest.
- with tax credits (LIHTC)
- 5
- HUD-assisted
- 2
243 homes in all; 242 of them low-income, according to HUD.
- Sunrise Estates Tax credit (LIHTC) 2700 W 7th St, The Dalles 97058 80 low-income homes · 1 bd: 14 · 2 bd: 56 · 3 bd: 10 · In service since 2012 · For families
- Chenowith Rim Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) · HUD-assisted 3640 W 13th St, The Dalles 97058 48 low-income homes · 1 bd: 8 · 2 bd: 24 · 3 bd: 16 · In service since 1999 · For people with disabilities, families · (541) 298-8181
- Westside Village HUD-assisted 2812 W 7th St, The Dalles 97058 44 low-income homes · For families · (541) 298-4581
- West Park Place Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 1750 W 10th St, The Dalles 97058 25 low-income homes · In service since 1997 · For families
- The Commodore Apts II Tax credit (LIHTC) 312 Court St, The Dalles 97058 24 homes, 23 low-income · Studio: 6 · 1 bd: 18 · In service since 2003 · For older adults, families
- West Park Orchards Tax credit (LIHTC) 1711 W 13th St, The Dalles 97058 22 low-income homes · In service since 2000 · For older adults
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 Wasco 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 Wasco 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 | $19,600 | $32,700 | $52,300 |
| 2 people | $22,400 | $37,350 | $59,750 |
| 3 people | $27,320 | $42,000 | $67,200 |
| 4 people | $33,000 | $46,650 | $74,650 |
| 5 people | $38,680 | $50,400 | $80,650 |
| 6 people | $44,360 | $54,150 | $86,600 |
| 7 people | $50,040 | $57,850 | $92,600 |
| 8 people | $55,720 | $61,600 | $98,550 |
Area median income: $91,800. HUD income limits by family size, Fiscal year 2026. Area: Wasco County, OR. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2026
Possible payment standard
- Studio $1,160 – $1,418
- 1 bedroom $1,167 – $1,427
- 2 bedrooms $1,444 – $1,764
- 3 bedrooms $1,999 – $2,443
- 4 bedrooms $2,413 – $2,949
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
- Mid-Columbia Housing Authority Section 8 vouchers · 689 vouchers (541) 296-5462 Mid-Columbia Housing Authority: karenl@mid-columbiahousingauthority.org
- Columbia Gorge Housing Authority Section 8 vouchers · 359 vouchers (541) 296-5462 Columbia Gorge Housing Authority: karenl@mid-columbiahousingauthority.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 Wasco County
This HUD-approved agency has an office in Wasco County. They counsel for free or at low cost.
-
Columbia Cascade Housing Corporations Housing Resource Center
500 E 2nd St, The Dalles · Spanish
- Mortgage delinquency and default
- Budget and financial counseling
- and 4 more
Tool
How much cash do you need to move in?
It starts with the 2-bedroom fair market rent in Wasco 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
$3,208
What you need before you get the keys.
What adds up
- First month
- $1,604
- Security deposit
- $1,604
- Total
- $3,208
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 Wasco County?
According to HUD (Fiscal year 2027): Studio: $1,289; 1 bedroom: $1,297; 2 bedrooms: $1,604; 3 bedrooms: $2,221; 4 bedrooms: $2,681. It covers rent plus basic utilities, except the phone.
How much do you need to earn to rent in Wasco County?
Paying the 2-bedroom fair market rent ($1,604) without spending more than 30% of income takes $30.85 an hour full time, or $64,160 a year.
Who qualifies for Section 8 in Wasco County?
Generally, families with very low income: no more than 50% of the area median income. For 4 people, HUD's limit here is $46,650 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 Wasco 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 $1,444 and $1,764 a month. Your agency publishes its figure.
Does the fair market rent change by ZIP code in Wasco County?
For 2 bedrooms they run from $1,560 in 97058 to $2,180 in 97057. 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 Wasco County?
HUD lists 6 properties with homes for low-income households in Wasco 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 Wasco County?
HUD counts rent as a burden when it reaches 30% of income or more. In Wasco County, 46% of renter households are in that position; in Oregon, 52%, and nationwide, 51% (Average 2020–2024, Census).