Renting · Section 8
Data from November 2026
Renting in Ciales Municipio, Puerto Rico
Ciales Municipio has a HUD fair market rent of $521 a month for 2 bedrooms (Fiscal year 2027). Renter households here pay a typical rent of $431 a month (Average 2020–2024). Paying the fair market rent without going over 30% of income takes $10.02 an hour, full time.
Four numbers to start with
- Fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
- $521
- a month, HUD, Fiscal year 2027
- 19% less than in Puerto Rico
- Typical rent
- $431
- a month, Census, Average 2020–2024
- 25% less than in Puerto Rico
- Wage needed
- $10.02
- an hour, 2 bedrooms
- Or $20,840 a year, to spend no more than 30% of income on rent.
- Rent-burdened households
- 49%
- spend 30% or more of income on rent
- 4% less than in Puerto Rico
Only here
Renting in Ciales Municipio: what sets it apart
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
-
Ciales Municipio has the lowest typical rent in its area: $431, less than any of its 6 neighboring municipios; next is Jayuya Municipio ($456).
-
Ciales Municipio has the 6th lowest typical rent of the 78 municipios in Puerto Rico ($431).
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 Ciales Municipio. 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 | $450 | $8.65 | $18,000 |
| 1 bedroom | $467 | $8.98 | $18,680 |
| 2 bedrooms | $521 | $10.02 | $20,840 |
| 3 bedrooms | $681 | $13.10 | $27,240 |
| 4 bedrooms | $726 | $13.96 | $29,040 |
HUD area: Barranquitas-Aibonito, PR 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 2 ZIP codes in Ciales Municipio (Fiscal year 2027). Type yours to see it.
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)
| 00638 | Barranquitas-Aibonito, PR | $510 | $520 | $600 | $790 | $950 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 00638 | San Juan-Guaynabo, PR | $510 | $520 | $600 | $790 | $950 |
- 00638 · Barranquitas-Aibonito, PR $600$790
- 00638 · San Juan-Guaynabo, PR $600$790
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 Ciales Municipio, 49% of renter households are in that position; in Puerto Rico, 51%, 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.
49%
of renter households spend 30% or more of their income on rent.
1,598 households rent in Ciales Municipio
- spend 30% or more of income on rent 49%
- Spend less than 30% 51%
Compared with the state and the country
- Ciales 49%
- Puerto Rico 51%
- United States 51%
Low-income apartments
Low-income apartments in Ciales Municipio
HUD lists 7 properties with homes for low-income households in Ciales Municipio: 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)
- 1
- HUD-assisted
- 2
- public housing
- 4
432 homes in all; 429 of them low-income, according to HUD.
- Fernando Sierra Berdecia Public housing 1 Res Sierra Berdecia, Ciales 00638 100 low-income homes · Run by Puerto Rico Public Housing Administration · Average payment: $95 a month · Average wait: 3 months · (787) 759-9407
- Ovidio Lamoso Coira Housing for the Elderly HUD-assisted State Road 149 KM 16.4, Ciales 00638 93 low-income homes · For older adults · (787) 871-0116
- Dos Rios Public housing 1 Res Dos Rios, Ciales 00638 60 homes, 58 low-income · Run by Puerto Rico Public Housing Administration · (787) 759-9407
- Colinas de Jaguas HUD-assisted Oficina de Administracion, Ciales 00638 54 low-income homes · For families · (787) 871-0311
- Alturas de Ciales Public housing Ciales 00638 50 low-income homes · Run by Puerto Rico Public Housing Administration · (787) 759-9407
- Verde Real Public housing Ciales 00638 43 homes, 42 low-income · Run by Puerto Rico Public Housing Administration · Average payment: $209 a month · (787) 759-9407
- Colinas de Jaguas II Tax credit (LIHTC) Colinas De Jaguas 1, Ciales 32 low-income homes · 3 bd: 32 · In service since 1997 · For people with disabilities
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 Ciales Municipio
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 Ciales Municipio. 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 | $10,650 | $10,650 | $17,050 |
| 2 people | $12,200 | $12,200 | $19,450 |
| 3 people | $13,700 | $13,700 | $21,900 |
| 4 people | $15,200 | $15,200 | $24,300 |
| 5 people | $16,450 | $16,450 | $26,250 |
| 6 people | $17,650 | $17,650 | $28,200 |
| 7 people | $18,850 | $18,850 | $30,150 |
| 8 people | $20,100 | $20,100 | $32,100 |
Area median income: $30,400. HUD income limits by family size, Fiscal year 2026. Area: Barranquitas-Aibonito, PR HUD Metro FMR Area. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2026
Possible payment standard
- Studio $405 – $495
- 1 bedroom $420 – $514
- 2 bedrooms $469 – $573
- 3 bedrooms $613 – $749
- 4 bedrooms $653 – $799
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
- Municipality of Ciales Section 8 vouchers · 77 vouchers (787) 871-3500 Municipality of Ciales: sec8ciales@yahoo.com
Housing agencies in Puerto Rico Source: HUD, Retrieved November 6, 2026
Your rights as a tenant in Puerto Rico
What Puerto Rico 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.
- Only a court order can remove youCód. Enj. Civ. P.R. arts. 620-633 (32 L.P.R.A. §§2821-2837); Ley Núm. 35 de 21 de noviembre de 1941, art. 1 (33 L.P.R.A. §1881)
Help
Where to get help with rent in Ciales Municipio
These are the nearest HUD-approved agencies. They counsel for free or at low cost.
-
Corporacion Desarrollo Economico,vivienda y Salud
68 Calle Puro Girau, Arecibo · 18 miles away · Spanish
- Mortgage delinquency and default
- Mortgage delinquency workshops
- and 7 more
-
Ponce Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc.
57 Calle Mendez Vigo, Ponce · 21 miles away
- Mortgage delinquency and default
- Budget and financial counseling
- and 6 more
-
Puerto Rico Neighborhood Housing Services, Corp.
274 Calle Canals St., San Juan · 31 miles away · Spanish
- Mortgage delinquency and default
- Mortgage delinquency workshops
- and 8 more
Tool
How much cash do you need to move in?
It starts with the 2-bedroom fair market rent in Ciales Municipio. Change the rent, the deposit and the fees to yours: the numbers stay in your browser.
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
$1,042
What you need before you get the keys.
What adds up
- First month
- $521
- Security deposit
- $521
- Total
- $1,042
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 Ciales Municipio?
According to HUD (Fiscal year 2027): Studio: $450; 1 bedroom: $467; 2 bedrooms: $521; 3 bedrooms: $681; 4 bedrooms: $726. It covers rent plus basic utilities, except the phone.
How much do you need to earn to rent in Ciales Municipio?
Paying the 2-bedroom fair market rent ($521) without spending more than 30% of income takes $10.02 an hour full time, or $20,840 a year.
Who qualifies for Section 8 in Ciales Municipio?
Generally, families with very low income: no more than 50% of the area median income. For 4 people, HUD's limit here is $15,200 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 Ciales Municipio?
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 $469 and $573 a month. Your agency publishes its figure.
How many low-income apartments are there in Ciales Municipio?
HUD lists 7 properties with homes for low-income households in Ciales Municipio: 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 Ciales Municipio?
HUD counts rent as a burden when it reaches 30% of income or more. In Ciales Municipio, 49% of renter households are in that position; in Puerto Rico, 51%, and nationwide, 51% (Average 2020–2024, Census).