Renting · Section 8
Data from November 2026
Renting in Venango County, Pennsylvania
Venango County has a HUD fair market rent of $1,014 a month for 2 bedrooms (Fiscal year 2027). Renter households here pay a typical rent of $795 a month (Average 2020–2024). Paying the fair market rent without going over 30% of income takes $19.50 an hour, full time.
Four numbers to start with
- Fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
- $1,014
- a month, HUD, Fiscal year 2027
- 34% less than in Pennsylvania
- Typical rent
- $795
- a month, Census, Average 2020–2024
- 34% less than in Pennsylvania
- Wage needed
- $19.50
- an hour, 2 bedrooms
- Or $40,560 a year, to spend no more than 30% of income on rent.
- Rent-burdened households
- 48%
- spend 30% or more of income on rent
- About the same as 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 Venango 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)
| Size | Fair rent per month | Hourly wage | Income needed per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $706 | $13.58 | $28,240 |
| 1 bedroom | $775 | $14.90 | $31,000 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,014 | $19.50 | $40,560 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,276 | $24.54 | $51,040 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,429 | $27.48 | $57,160 |
HUD area: Venango County, PA. 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 27 ZIP codes in Venango County (Fiscal year 2027). Type yours to see it.
For 2 bedrooms they run from $1,010 in 16319 to $1,500 in 16317. 10 ZIP codes are above the county's fair market rent ($1,014).
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)
| 16301 | Venango County, PA | $720 | $790 | $1,030 | $1,300 | $1,450 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16317 | Crawford County, PA | $1,040 | $1,150 | $1,500 | $1,890 | $2,110 |
| 16317 | Venango County, PA | $1,040 | $1,150 | $1,500 | $1,890 | $2,110 |
| 16319 | Clarion County, PA | $730 | $780 | $1,010 | $1,260 | $1,510 |
| 16319 | Venango County, PA | $730 | $780 | $1,010 | $1,260 | $1,510 |
| 16323 | Venango County, PA | $720 | $790 | $1,030 | $1,300 | $1,450 |
| 16341 | Forest County, PA | $710 | $800 | $1,010 | $1,290 | $1,470 |
| 16341 | Venango County, PA | $710 | $800 | $1,010 | $1,290 | $1,470 |
| 16342 | Mercer County, PA | $710 | $780 | $1,010 | $1,290 | $1,440 |
| 16342 | Venango County, PA | $710 | $780 | $1,010 | $1,290 | $1,440 |
| 16343 | Venango County, PA | $720 | $790 | $1,030 | $1,300 | $1,450 |
| 16344 | Venango County, PA | $880 | $960 | $1,260 | $1,590 | $1,780 |
| 16346 | Venango County, PA | $710 | $780 | $1,010 | $1,290 | $1,440 |
| 16354 | Crawford County, PA | $760 | $830 | $1,010 | $1,380 | $1,520 |
| 16354 | Venango County, PA | $760 | $830 | $1,010 | $1,380 | $1,520 |
| 16354 | Warren County, PA | $760 | $830 | $1,010 | $1,380 | $1,520 |
| 16362 | Crawford County, PA | $710 | $780 | $1,010 | $1,300 | $1,460 |
| 16362 | Mercer County, PA | $710 | $780 | $1,010 | $1,300 | $1,460 |
| 16362 | Venango County, PA | $710 | $780 | $1,010 | $1,300 | $1,460 |
| 16364 | Clarion County, PA | $800 | $850 | $1,110 | $1,380 | $1,660 |
| 16364 | Forest County, PA | $800 | $850 | $1,110 | $1,380 | $1,660 |
| 16364 | Venango County, PA | $800 | $850 | $1,110 | $1,380 | $1,660 |
| 16372 | Venango County, PA | $710 | $780 | $1,010 | $1,290 | $1,440 |
| 16373 | Clarion County, PA | $730 | $780 | $1,010 | $1,260 | $1,490 |
| 16373 | Pittsburgh, PA | $730 | $780 | $1,010 | $1,260 | $1,490 |
| 16373 | Venango County, PA | $730 | $780 | $1,010 | $1,260 | $1,490 |
| 16374 | Venango County, PA | $710 | $780 | $1,020 | $1,280 | $1,440 |
- 16301 · Venango County, PA $1,030$1,300
- 16317 · Crawford County, PA $1,500$1,890
- 16317 · Venango County, PA $1,500$1,890
- 16319 · Clarion County, PA $1,010$1,260
- 16319 · Venango County, PA $1,010$1,260
- 16323 · Venango County, PA $1,030$1,300
- 16341 · Forest County, PA $1,010$1,290
- 16341 · Venango County, PA $1,010$1,290
- 16342 · Mercer County, PA $1,010$1,290
- 16342 · Venango County, PA $1,010$1,290
- 16343 · Venango County, PA $1,030$1,300
- 16344 · Venango County, PA $1,260$1,590
- 16346 · Venango County, PA $1,010$1,290
- 16354 · Crawford County, PA $1,010$1,380
- 16354 · Venango County, PA $1,010$1,380
- 16354 · Warren County, PA $1,010$1,380
- 16362 · Crawford County, PA $1,010$1,300
- 16362 · Mercer County, PA $1,010$1,300
- 16362 · Venango County, PA $1,010$1,300
- 16364 · Clarion County, PA $1,110$1,380
- 16364 · Forest County, PA $1,110$1,380
- 16364 · Venango County, PA $1,110$1,380
- 16372 · Venango County, PA $1,010$1,290
- 16373 · Clarion County, PA $1,010$1,260
- 16373 · Pittsburgh, PA $1,010$1,260
- 16373 · Venango County, PA $1,010$1,260
- 16374 · Venango County, PA $1,020$1,280
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 Venango County, 48% 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.
48%
of renter households spend 30% or more of their income on rent.
5,287 households rent in Venango County
- Spend half or more of their income 22%
- Spend 30% or more, but less than half 26%
- Spend less than 30% 52%
Compared with the state and the country
- Venango 48%
- Pennsylvania 48%
- United States 51%
Low-income apartments
Low-income apartments in Venango County
HUD lists 14 properties with homes for low-income households in Venango 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)
- 3
- HUD-assisted
- 7
- public housing
- 5
894 homes in all; 883 of them low-income, according to HUD.
- Oak Hill Apartments Tax credit (LIHTC) · HUD-assisted 10 Taylor St, Franklin 16323 120 homes, 119 low-income · 1 bd: 20 · 2 bd: 48 · 3 bd: 52 · In service since 2015 · For families · (814) 432-4035
- Evergreen Arbors HUD-assisted 10 Arbor Cir, Franklin 16323 100 low-income homes · For families · (814) 437-2612
- Towne Towers HUD-assisted 7 E 2nd St, Oil City 16301 100 low-income homes · For older adults · (814) 676-9315
- Pin Oak Village HUD-assisted 139 Acorn Dr, Seneca 16346 100 homes, 94 low-income · For families · (814) 676-0193
- Franklin Arbors HUD-assisted 1220 Chestnut St, Franklin 16323 87 low-income homes · For older adults · (814) 437-3343
- Moran/Siverly Public housing 110 Moran St, Oil City 16301 78 homes, 76 low-income · Run by Housing Authority of the City of Oil City · Average payment: $364 a month · Average wait: 5 months · Homes at several sites · (814) 676-5764
- Century/Scattered Sites Public housing 311 Fern Ct, Oil City 16301 70 low-income homes · Run by Housing Authority of the City of Oil City · Average payment: $349 a month · Average wait: 16 months · Homes at several sites · (814) 676-5764
- Colonial Manor Public housing 1212 Chestnut St, Franklin 16323 61 low-income homes · Run by Housing Authority of the City of Franklin · Average payment: $411 a month · Average wait: 2 months · (814) 432-3416
- Luther Place HUD-assisted 1 Sycamore St, Oil City 16301 50 homes, 49 low-income · For older adults · (814) 678-0052
- Myrtle Circle Public housing Franklin 16323 40 homes, 39 low-income · Run by Housing Authority of the City of Franklin · Average payment: $388 a month · Average wait: 2 months · (814) 432-3416
- Franklin Commons Tax credit (LIHTC) 9 Crestview Dr, Franklin 16323 32 low-income homes · 1 bd: 16 · 2 bd: 16 · In service since 1994 · For families
- Seneca Court Tax credit (LIHTC) 232 Seneca St, Oil City 16301 24 low-income homes · 1 bd: 24 · In service since 2001 · For older adults
- Cherry Hill Apartments Public housing 19 Rockwood Ave, Oil City 16301 20 low-income homes · Run by Housing Authority of the City of Oil City · Average payment: $407 a month · Average wait: 4 months · (814) 676-5764
- Ranch Street Apts. HUD-assisted 150 Ranch St, Seneca 16346 12 low-income homes · For people with disabilities · (814) 676-0193
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 Venango 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 Venango 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 | $18,100 | $30,200 | $48,300 |
| 2 people | $21,640 | $34,500 | $55,200 |
| 3 people | $27,320 | $38,800 | $62,100 |
| 4 people | $33,000 | $43,100 | $68,950 |
| 5 people | $38,680 | $46,550 | $74,500 |
| 6 people | $44,360 | $50,000 | $80,000 |
| 7 people | $50,040 | $53,450 | $85,500 |
| 8 people | $55,720 | $56,900 | $91,050 |
Area median income: $81,300. HUD income limits by family size, Fiscal year 2026. Area: Venango County, PA. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2026
Possible payment standard
- Studio $635 – $777
- 1 bedroom $698 – $853
- 2 bedrooms $913 – $1,115
- 3 bedrooms $1,148 – $1,404
- 4 bedrooms $1,286 – $1,572
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 Authority of the City of Oil City Public housing and Section 8 vouchers · 561 vouchers · 166 public housing units (814) 676-5764 Housing Authority of the City of Oil City: gjohnson@oilcityhousing.com
- Housing Authority of the City of Franklin Public housing and Section 8 vouchers · 155 vouchers · 100 public housing units (814) 432-3416 Housing Authority of the City of Franklin: kmwenner@franklinhousingpa.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 Venango County
These are the nearest HUD-approved agencies. They counsel for free or at low cost.
-
Center for Family Services, Incorporated
996 S Main St, Meadville · 26 miles away · Spanish
- Mortgage delinquency and default
- Budget and financial counseling
- and 7 more
-
Housing Authority of the County of Butler
114 Woody Dr, Butler · 38 miles away
- Mortgage delinquency and default
- Mortgage delinquency workshops
- and 8 more
-
Shenango Valley Urban League
601 Indiana Ave, Farrell · 40 miles away
- Mortgage delinquency and default
- Homelessness services
- and 2 more
Rental assistance programs
The ones that serve in Venango 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 Venango 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
$2,028
What you need before you get the keys.
What adds up
- First month
- $1,014
- Security deposit
- $1,014
- Total
- $2,028
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 Venango County?
According to HUD (Fiscal year 2027): Studio: $706; 1 bedroom: $775; 2 bedrooms: $1,014; 3 bedrooms: $1,276; 4 bedrooms: $1,429. It covers rent plus basic utilities, except the phone.
How much do you need to earn to rent in Venango County?
Paying the 2-bedroom fair market rent ($1,014) without spending more than 30% of income takes $19.50 an hour full time, or $40,560 a year.
Who qualifies for Section 8 in Venango County?
Generally, families with very low income: no more than 50% of the area median income. For 4 people, HUD's limit here is $43,100 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 Venango 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 $913 and $1,115 a month. Your agency publishes its figure.
Does the fair market rent change by ZIP code in Venango County?
For 2 bedrooms they run from $1,010 in 16319 to $1,500 in 16317. 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 Venango County?
HUD lists 14 properties with homes for low-income households in Venango 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 Venango County?
HUD counts rent as a burden when it reaches 30% of income or more. In Venango County, 48% of renter households are in that position; in Pennsylvania, 48%, and nationwide, 51% (Average 2020–2024, Census).