Renting · Section 8
Data from November 2026
Renting in Blair County, Pennsylvania
Blair County has a HUD fair market rent of $1,151 a month for 2 bedrooms (Fiscal year 2027). Renter households here pay a typical rent of $885 a month (Average 2020–2024). Paying the fair market rent without going over 30% of income takes $22.13 an hour, full time.
Four numbers to start with
- Fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
- $1,151
- a month, HUD, Fiscal year 2027
- 25% less than in Pennsylvania
- Typical rent
- $885
- a month, Census, Average 2020–2024
- 27% less than in Pennsylvania
- Wage needed
- $22.13
- an hour, 2 bedrooms
- Or $46,040 a year, to spend no more than 30% of income on rent.
- Rent-burdened households
- 46%
- spend 30% or more of income on rent
- 4% less than in Pennsylvania
Only here
Renting in Blair County: what sets it apart
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
-
Nearby, in Cambria County, the typical rent is $739: 16% less than in Blair County ($885).
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 Blair 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 Blair County was $1,004 a month in September 2026: 5.1% 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 | $805 | $15.48 | $32,200 |
| 1 bedroom | $959 | $18.44 | $38,360 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,151 | $22.13 | $46,040 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,477 | $28.40 | $59,080 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,708 | $32.85 | $68,320 |
HUD area: Altoona, PA 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 22 ZIP codes in Blair County (Fiscal year 2027). Type yours to see it.
For 2 bedrooms they run from $1,030 in 16693 to $1,300 in 16648. 10 ZIP codes are above the county's fair market rent ($1,151).
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)
| 16601 | Altoona, PA | $790 | $940 | $1,130 | $1,450 | $1,680 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16601 | Johnstown, PA | $790 | $940 | $1,130 | $1,450 | $1,680 |
| 16602 | Altoona, PA | $780 | $930 | $1,120 | $1,440 | $1,660 |
| 16617 | Altoona, PA | $800 | $960 | $1,150 | $1,480 | $1,710 |
| 16625 | Altoona, PA | $830 | $960 | $1,170 | $1,500 | $1,750 |
| 16625 | Bedford County, PA | $830 | $960 | $1,170 | $1,500 | $1,750 |
| 16631 | Altoona, PA | $780 | $910 | $1,110 | $1,420 | $1,650 |
| 16635 | Altoona, PA | $890 | $1,060 | $1,270 | $1,630 | $1,880 |
| 16637 | Altoona, PA | $850 | $1,020 | $1,220 | $1,570 | $1,810 |
| 16648 | Altoona, PA | $910 | $1,080 | $1,300 | $1,670 | $1,930 |
| 16662 | Altoona, PA | $770 | $900 | $1,090 | $1,400 | $1,620 |
| 16662 | Bedford County, PA | $770 | $900 | $1,090 | $1,400 | $1,620 |
| 16665 | Altoona, PA | $830 | $980 | $1,180 | $1,510 | $1,750 |
| 16673 | Altoona, PA | $800 | $940 | $1,140 | $1,460 | $1,700 |
| 16673 | Bedford County, PA | $800 | $940 | $1,140 | $1,460 | $1,700 |
| 16682 | Altoona, PA | $820 | $950 | $1,160 | $1,480 | $1,730 |
| 16684 | Altoona, PA | $740 | $880 | $1,050 | $1,350 | $1,560 |
| 16686 | Altoona, PA | $1,070 | $1,080 | $1,270 | $1,590 | $1,680 |
| 16686 | Huntingdon County, PA | $1,070 | $1,080 | $1,270 | $1,590 | $1,680 |
| 16686 | State College, PA | $1,070 | $1,080 | $1,270 | $1,590 | $1,680 |
| 16693 | Altoona, PA | $730 | $860 | $1,030 | $1,320 | $1,540 |
| 16693 | Huntingdon County, PA | $730 | $860 | $1,030 | $1,320 | $1,540 |
- 16601 · Altoona, PA $1,130$1,450
- 16601 · Johnstown, PA $1,130$1,450
- 16602 · Altoona, PA $1,120$1,440
- 16617 · Altoona, PA $1,150$1,480
- 16625 · Altoona, PA $1,170$1,500
- 16625 · Bedford County, PA $1,170$1,500
- 16631 · Altoona, PA $1,110$1,420
- 16635 · Altoona, PA $1,270$1,630
- 16637 · Altoona, PA $1,220$1,570
- 16648 · Altoona, PA $1,300$1,670
- 16662 · Altoona, PA $1,090$1,400
- 16662 · Bedford County, PA $1,090$1,400
- 16665 · Altoona, PA $1,180$1,510
- 16673 · Altoona, PA $1,140$1,460
- 16673 · Bedford County, PA $1,140$1,460
- 16682 · Altoona, PA $1,160$1,480
- 16684 · Altoona, PA $1,050$1,350
- 16686 · Altoona, PA $1,270$1,590
- 16686 · Huntingdon County, PA $1,270$1,590
- 16686 · State College, PA $1,270$1,590
- 16693 · Altoona, PA $1,030$1,320
- 16693 · Huntingdon County, PA $1,030$1,320
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 Blair County, 46% of renter households are in that position; in Pennsylvania, 48%, 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.
13,979 households rent in Blair County
- Spend half or more of their income 20%
- Spend 30% or more, but less than half 27%
- Spend less than 30% 54%
Compared with the state and the country
- Blair 46%
- Pennsylvania 48%
- United States 51%
Low-income apartments
Low-income apartments in Blair County
HUD lists 31 properties with homes for low-income households in Blair 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)
- 7
- HUD-assisted
- 21
- public housing
- 3
2,197 homes in all; 1,958 of them low-income, according to HUD.
- Green Ave Tower Public housing 911 Green Ave, Altoona 16601 374 homes, 364 low-income · Run by Altoona Housing Authority · Average payment: $381 a month · Average wait: 4 months · (814) 949-2000
- Logan Hills HUD-assisted 1201/1203/1205 South 27th Street, Altoona 16602 212 homes, 150 low-income · For families · (814) 944-2551
- Fairview Hills Public housing 220 E Cherry Ave, Altoona 16601 151 homes, 150 low-income · Run by Altoona Housing Authority · Average payment: $451 a month · Average wait: 20 months · (814) 949-2000
- Blair Tower HUD-assisted 1600 8th Ave, Altoona 16602 100 low-income homes · For older adults · (814) 946-5453
- Pennsylvania House HUD-assisted 2 W 11th St, Tyrone 16686 100 low-income homes · For older adults · (814) 684-2817
- Charles E Wolf Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 1501 11th Ave, Altoona 16601 90 low-income homes · 1 bd: 60 · 2 bd: 30 · In service since 1999
- Cold Springs Public housing 1311 N Cambria St, Bellwood 16617 86 homes, 84 low-income · Run by Housing Authority of the County of Blair · Average payment: $458 a month · Average wait: 9 months · (814) 695-7548
- Cherry Grove Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) East Walnut ST, Altoona 16601 76 low-income homes · 1 bd: 14 · 2 bd: 36 · 3 bd: 26 · In service since 2018 · For families
- Ida Towers HUD-assisted 1010 12th St, Altoona 16601 126 homes, 75 low-income · For older adults · (814) 944-9466
- Cherry Grove HUD-assisted 400 E Walnut Ave, Altoona 16601 76 homes, 75 low-income · For families · (814) 944-6385
- Altoona Evergreen Manor I HUD-assisted 5928 Evergreen Ct, Altoona 16602 85 homes, 67 low-income · For families · (814) 944-4160
- Altoona Evergreen Manor II HUD-assisted 5919 Evergreen Ct, Altoona 16602 74 homes, 61 low-income · For families · (814) 944-4160
- Greenfields/Greenfield Terrace HUD-assisted 190 Penndale Ave, Claysburg 16625 58 low-income homes · For families · (814) 239-5510
- Roaring Springs Commons Tax credit (LIHTC) 303 Cove Ln, Roaring Spring 16673 58 low-income homes · 1 bd: 6 · 2 bd: 46 · 3 bd: 6 · In service since 1994 · For families
- Highland Hall Tax credit (LIHTC) 517 Walnut St, Hollidaysburg 16648 53 low-income homes · 1 bd: 33 · 2 bd: 20 · In service since 2017 · For older adults
- Spring Manor Apts. HUD-assisted 300 Spring St, Hollidaysburg 16648 50 low-income homes · For older adults · (814) 695-0388
- Tyrone Townhomes HUD-assisted E. 16th ST, Tyrone 16686 50 low-income homes · For families · (814) 684-5404
- Woodrow Wilson Gardens HUD-assisted 409 Eveningtide Ave, Altoona 16602 50 low-income homes · For older adults · (814) 944-6221
- Country Manor HUD-assisted 809 Country Manor Dr, Duncansville 16635 50 homes, 49 low-income · For older adults · (814) 695-6655
- Station Square Apts. HUD-assisted 807 13th St, Altoona 16602 40 low-income homes · For older adults · (814) 943-0267
- Chateau of Altoona HUD-assisted 2701 Walnut Ave, Altoona 16601 39 low-income homes · For families · (814) 944-1348
- Bell Mansion Apts. HUD-assisted 617 Stadium Dr, Bellwood 16617 35 homes, 34 low-income · For older adults · (814) 742-1210
- Marian House Manor HUD-assisted 1408 4th Ave, Altoona 16602 22 homes, 21 low-income · For older adults · (814) 942-5018
- Washington Terrace HUD-assisted 400 Washington Ave, Tyrone 16686 22 homes, 18 low-income · For families · (814) 684-0305
- Twin Mountain Apts. HUD-assisted 301 E Crawford Ave, Altoona 16602 16 low-income homes · For people with disabilities · (814) 949-2699
- Union Avenue HUD-assisted 1911 Union Ave, Altoona 16601 11 low-income homes · For people with disabilities · (814) 944-1348
- Waupalani Apts. HUD-assisted 400 22nd Ave, Altoona 16601 9 low-income homes · For people with disabilities · (814) 949-2699
- Tyrone Park Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 1359 Burley Ave, Tyrone 16686 24 homes, 6 low-income · 1 bd: 4 · 2 bd: 12 · 3 bd: 8 · In service since 1995 · For older adults
- Blair Commons HUD-assisted 623 Lehigh Ln, Altoona 16602 4 low-income homes · For people with disabilities · (814) 949-2699
- Keith Hill Top Terrace Tax credit (LIHTC) 1318 19th Ave, Altoona 16601 45 homes
- Chatham Mews Tax credit (LIHTC) 200 Lexington Ave, Altoona 16601 11 homes · 4 bd: 11 · In service since 2011 · For families
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 Blair 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 Blair 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 | $19,400 | $32,250 | $51,600 |
| 2 people | $22,150 | $36,850 | $59,000 |
| 3 people | $27,320 | $41,450 | $66,350 |
| 4 people | $33,000 | $46,050 | $73,700 |
| 5 people | $38,680 | $49,750 | $79,600 |
| 6 people | $44,360 | $53,450 | $85,500 |
| 7 people | $50,040 | $57,150 | $91,400 |
| 8 people | $55,720 | $60,800 | $97,300 |
Area median income: $92,400. HUD income limits by family size, Fiscal year 2026. Area: Altoona, PA MSA. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2026
Possible payment standard
- Studio $725 – $886
- 1 bedroom $863 – $1,055
- 2 bedrooms $1,036 – $1,266
- 3 bedrooms $1,329 – $1,625
- 4 bedrooms $1,537 – $1,879
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
- Altoona Housing Authority Public housing and Section 8 vouchers · 995 vouchers · 514 public housing units (814) 949-2000 Altoona Housing Authority: brad.kanuch@altoonahousing.org
- Housing Authority of the County of Blair Public housing and Section 8 vouchers · 505 vouchers · 84 public housing units (814) 695-7548 Housing Authority of the County of Blair: jme@cobrah.com
Housing agencies in Pennsylvania Source: HUD, Retrieved November 6, 2026
Your rights as a tenant in Pennsylvania
What Pennsylvania 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.
- How much can they charge for a deposit?
- Up to 2 months of rent
- 68 P.S. §250.511a(a)-(b)
- When must they return my deposit?
- 30 days
- 68 P.S. §250.512(a)
- If I fall behind on rent, what notice must I get?
- 10 days
- 68 P.S. §250.501(b)
- How much notice ends a month-to-month rental?
- 15 days
- 68 P.S. §250.501(b)
- Only a court order can remove you68 P.S. §250.501 et seq.; 68 P.S. §399.1 et seq.
Help
Where to get help with rent in Blair County
These are the nearest HUD-approved agencies. They counsel for free or at low cost.
-
The Home Foundation
226 E Nittany Ave, State College · 31 miles away
- Mortgage delinquency and default
- Budget and financial counseling
- and 4 more
-
Pathstone Corporation-Pennsylvania
450 Cleveland Ave, Chambersburg · 52 miles away · Spanish
- Mortgage delinquency and default
- Mortgage delinquency workshops
- and 8 more
Rental assistance programs
The ones that serve in Blair County or the whole state, with what each page says about being open.
-
Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program
Run by Pennsylvania Department of Revenue
Pennsylvania yearly rebate for owners and renters 65 or older, widows and widowers 50 or older, and people with disabilities 18 or older, based on income
Tool
How much cash do you need to move in?
It starts with the 2-bedroom fair market rent in Blair 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 Pennsylvania, the average home bill was $145 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
$2,302
What you need before you get the keys.
What adds up
- First month
- $1,151
- Security deposit
- $1,151
- Total
- $2,302
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 Blair County?
According to HUD (Fiscal year 2027): Studio: $805; 1 bedroom: $959; 2 bedrooms: $1,151; 3 bedrooms: $1,477; 4 bedrooms: $1,708. It covers rent plus basic utilities, except the phone.
How much do you need to earn to rent in Blair County?
Paying the 2-bedroom fair market rent ($1,151) without spending more than 30% of income takes $22.13 an hour full time, or $46,040 a year.
Who qualifies for Section 8 in Blair County?
Generally, families with very low income: no more than 50% of the area median income. For 4 people, HUD's limit here is $46,050 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 Blair 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 $1,036 and $1,266 a month. Your agency publishes its figure.
Does the fair market rent change by ZIP code in Blair County?
For 2 bedrooms they run from $1,030 in 16693 to $1,300 in 16648. 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 Blair County?
HUD lists 31 properties with homes for low-income households in Blair 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 Blair County?
HUD counts rent as a burden when it reaches 30% of income or more. In Blair County, 46% of renter households are in that position; in Pennsylvania, 48%, and nationwide, 51% (Average 2020–2024, Census).