Renting · Section 8
Data from November 2026
Renting in Carbon County, Pennsylvania
Carbon County has a HUD fair market rent of $1,839 a month for 2 bedrooms (Fiscal year 2027). Renter households here pay a typical rent of $994 a month (Average 2020–2024). Paying the fair market rent without going over 30% of income takes $35.37 an hour, full time.
Four numbers to start with
- Fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
- $1,839
- a month, HUD, Fiscal year 2027
- 20% more than in Pennsylvania
- Typical rent
- $994
- a month, Census, Average 2020–2024
- 18% less than in Pennsylvania
- Wage needed
- $35.37
- an hour, 2 bedrooms
- Or $73,560 a year, to spend no more than 30% of income on rent.
- Rent-burdened households
- 44%
- spend 30% or more of income on rent
- 10% less than in Pennsylvania
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 Carbon 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 Carbon County was $1,364 a month in September 2026: 5.7% 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 | $1,302 | $25.04 | $52,080 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,519 | $29.21 | $60,760 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,839 | $35.37 | $73,560 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,306 | $44.35 | $92,240 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,482 | $47.73 | $99,280 |
HUD area: Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA 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 22 ZIP codes in Carbon County (Fiscal year 2027). Type yours to see it.
For 2 bedrooms they run from $1,480 in 18012 to $1,940 in 18254. 1 ZIP code is above the county's fair market rent ($1,839).
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)
| 18012 | Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA | $1,020 | $1,210 | $1,480 | $1,880 | $1,980 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18030 | Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA | $1,020 | $1,210 | $1,480 | $1,880 | $1,980 |
| 18071 | Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA | $1,020 | $1,210 | $1,480 | $1,880 | $1,990 |
| 18071 | Monroe County, PA | $1,020 | $1,210 | $1,480 | $1,880 | $1,990 |
| 18210 | Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA | $1,240 | $1,410 | $1,710 | $2,170 | $2,390 |
| 18210 | Monroe County, PA | $1,240 | $1,410 | $1,710 | $2,170 | $2,390 |
| 18212 | Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA | $1,020 | $1,210 | $1,480 | $1,880 | $1,980 |
| 18216 | Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA | $1,150 | $1,340 | $1,630 | $2,050 | $2,210 |
| 18216 | Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $1,150 | $1,340 | $1,630 | $2,050 | $2,210 |
| 18229 | Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA | $1,020 | $1,210 | $1,480 | $1,880 | $1,980 |
| 18230 | Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA | $1,120 | $1,300 | $1,590 | $2,000 | $2,150 |
| 18232 | Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA | $1,020 | $1,210 | $1,480 | $1,880 | $1,980 |
| 18235 | Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA | $1,020 | $1,210 | $1,480 | $1,880 | $1,980 |
| 18240 | Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA | $1,040 | $1,210 | $1,480 | $1,880 | $1,990 |
| 18240 | Schuylkill County, PA | $1,040 | $1,210 | $1,480 | $1,880 | $1,990 |
| 18244 | Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA | $1,020 | $1,210 | $1,480 | $1,880 | $1,980 |
| 18250 | Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA | $1,160 | $1,350 | $1,640 | $2,060 | $2,210 |
| 18250 | Schuylkill County, PA | $1,160 | $1,350 | $1,640 | $2,060 | $2,210 |
| 18254 | Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA | $1,370 | $1,600 | $1,940 | $2,430 | $2,620 |
| 18255 | Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA | $1,020 | $1,210 | $1,480 | $1,880 | $1,980 |
| 18255 | Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $1,020 | $1,210 | $1,480 | $1,880 | $1,980 |
| 18624 | Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA | $1,220 | $1,400 | $1,710 | $2,190 | $2,410 |
- 18012 · Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA $1,480$1,880
- 18030 · Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA $1,480$1,880
- 18071 · Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA $1,480$1,880
- 18071 · Monroe County, PA $1,480$1,880
- 18210 · Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA $1,710$2,170
- 18210 · Monroe County, PA $1,710$2,170
- 18212 · Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA $1,480$1,880
- 18216 · Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA $1,630$2,050
- 18216 · Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA $1,630$2,050
- 18229 · Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA $1,480$1,880
- 18230 · Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA $1,590$2,000
- 18232 · Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA $1,480$1,880
- 18235 · Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA $1,480$1,880
- 18240 · Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA $1,480$1,880
- 18240 · Schuylkill County, PA $1,480$1,880
- 18244 · Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA $1,480$1,880
- 18250 · Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA $1,640$2,060
- 18250 · Schuylkill County, PA $1,640$2,060
- 18254 · Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA $1,940$2,430
- 18255 · Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA $1,480$1,880
- 18255 · Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA $1,480$1,880
- 18624 · Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA $1,710$2,190
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 Carbon County, 44% 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.
44%
of renter households spend 30% or more of their income on rent.
6,431 households rent in Carbon County
- Spend half or more of their income 22%
- Spend 30% or more, but less than half 21%
- Spend less than 30% 56%
Compared with the state and the country
- Carbon 44%
- Pennsylvania 48%
- United States 51%
Low-income apartments
Low-income apartments in Carbon County
HUD lists 11 properties with homes for low-income households in Carbon 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
- 7
- public housing
- 1
587 homes in all; 583 of them low-income, according to HUD.
- Lansford Mid-Rise Public housing 430 E Bertsch St, Lansford 18232 153 low-income homes · Run by Carbon County Housing Authority · Average payment: $455 a month · Average wait: 12 months · (610) 377-9375
- Lehighton Elderly HUD-assisted 101 S 1st St, Lehighton 18235 113 homes, 112 low-income · For older adults · (610) 377-6320
- Gypsy Hill HUD-assisted 401 Mahoning St, Lehighton 18235 71 homes, 70 low-income · For families · (610) 377-4965
- Lansford Townhouses HUD-assisted 100 Lansford Court, Lansford 18232 51 homes, 50 low-income · For families · (570) 645-7780
- Palmer House HUD-assisted 360 Delaware Ave, Palmerton 18071 51 homes, 50 low-income · For older adults · (610) 377-9375
- Nesquehoning School Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 90 E Catawissa St, Nesquehoning 18240 32 low-income homes · Studio: 5 · 1 bd: 27 · In service since 1999 · For older adults
- Weatherly Housing Tax credit (LIHTC) 1500 Evergreen Ave, Weatherly 18255 30 low-income homes · 1 bd: 27 · 2 bd: 3 · In service since 2000 · For older adults
- Lehigh Coal & Navigation BLDG Tax credit (LIHTC) · HUD-assisted 1 Broadway, Jim Thorpe 18229 27 low-income homes · 1 bd: 24 · 2 bd: 3 · In service since 2017 · For older adults, people with disabilities · (570) 325-4941
- Summit Hill School Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 128 W Hazard St, Summit Hill 18250 24 low-income homes · 1 bd: 12 · 2 bd: 12 · In service since 1997 · For families
- Nesquehoning Elderly HUD-assisted 121 W High St, Nesquehoning 18240 18 low-income homes · For older adults · (570) 669-6595
- ST. Ann Senior HUD-assisted 30 E Bertsch St, Lansford 18232 17 low-income homes · For older adults · (570) 805-4640
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 Carbon 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 Carbon 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 | $21,950 | $36,550 | $58,450 |
| 2 people | $25,050 | $41,800 | $66,800 |
| 3 people | $28,200 | $47,000 | $75,150 |
| 4 people | $33,000 | $52,200 | $83,500 |
| 5 people | $38,680 | $56,400 | $90,200 |
| 6 people | $44,360 | $60,600 | $96,900 |
| 7 people | $50,040 | $64,750 | $103,550 |
| 8 people | $55,720 | $68,950 | $110,250 |
Area median income: $104,400. HUD income limits by family size, Fiscal year 2026. Area: Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA HUD Metro FMR Area. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2026
Possible payment standard
- Studio $1,172 – $1,432
- 1 bedroom $1,367 – $1,671
- 2 bedrooms $1,655 – $2,023
- 3 bedrooms $2,075 – $2,537
- 4 bedrooms $2,234 – $2,730
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
- Carbon County Housing Authority Public housing and Section 8 vouchers · 447 vouchers · 153 public housing units (610) 377-9375 Carbon County Housing Authority: rnicolella@cchapa.org
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 Carbon County
These are the nearest HUD-approved agencies. They counsel for free or at low cost.
-
Commission on Economic Opportunity of Luzerne County
165 Amber Ln, Wilkes Barre · 24 miles away · Spanish
- Mortgage delinquency and default
- Mortgage delinquency workshops
- and 2 more
-
Housing Development Corporation of Northeast
163 Amber Ln, Wilkes Barre · 24 miles away · Spanish
- Mortgage delinquency and default
- Budget and credit workshops
- and 5 more
-
Community Action Committee of Lehigh Valley, Inc.
1337 E 5th St, Bethlehem · 28 miles away · Spanish
- Mortgage delinquency and default
- Mortgage delinquency workshops
- and 5 more
Rental assistance programs
The ones that serve in Carbon 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 Carbon 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
$3,678
What you need before you get the keys.
What adds up
- First month
- $1,839
- Security deposit
- $1,839
- Total
- $3,678
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 Carbon County?
According to HUD (Fiscal year 2027): Studio: $1,302; 1 bedroom: $1,519; 2 bedrooms: $1,839; 3 bedrooms: $2,306; 4 bedrooms: $2,482. It covers rent plus basic utilities, except the phone.
How much do you need to earn to rent in Carbon County?
Paying the 2-bedroom fair market rent ($1,839) without spending more than 30% of income takes $35.37 an hour full time, or $73,560 a year.
Who qualifies for Section 8 in Carbon County?
Generally, families with very low income: no more than 50% of the area median income. For 4 people, HUD's limit here is $52,200 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 Carbon 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 $1,655 and $2,023 a month. Your agency publishes its figure.
Does the fair market rent change by ZIP code in Carbon County?
For 2 bedrooms they run from $1,480 in 18012 to $1,940 in 18254. 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 Carbon County?
HUD lists 11 properties with homes for low-income households in Carbon 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 Carbon County?
HUD counts rent as a burden when it reaches 30% of income or more. In Carbon County, 44% of renter households are in that position; in Pennsylvania, 48%, and nationwide, 51% (Average 2020–2024, Census).