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Section 8 · Charleston County

Data from November 2026

How much does Section 8 pay in Charleston County, South Carolina?

HUD sets the 2-bedroom fair market rent in Charleston County at $1,884 a month (Fiscal year 2027). From that figure, your housing agency sets its payment standard, which as a rule runs from $1,696 to $2,072. The voucher pays up to that standard, minus your share: generally 30% of your adjusted monthly income.

By ZIP codeHow to apply
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Fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$1,884
a month, HUD, Fiscal year 2027
35% more than in South Carolina
Possible payment standard, 2 BR
$1,696 – $2,072
90% to 110% of the fair market rent
By ZIP code, 2 BR
$1,220 – $2,830
across 26 ZIP codes
Section 8 vouchers
5,252
at 3 agencies based here

Source: Fair Market Rents (HUD) Fiscal year 2027 Fair Market Rents (HUD) Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Fiscal year 2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Source: Public Housing Agencies (HUD) Retrieved November 6, 2026 Public Housing Agencies (HUD)

Only here

Section 8 in Charleston County: what sets it apart

What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.

  1. None of the 46 counties in South Carolina has a higher very low income limit (50%) than Charleston County for a family of 4: $58,750 a year. It is the cap the voucher uses to qualify.

  2. The 2-bedroom ZIP code fair market rent in Charleston County runs from $1,220 in 29470 to $2,830 in 29451 (132% more). None of the 45 counties in South Carolina with data has a wider gap.

  3. Housing agencies based in Charleston County hold 5,252 housing vouchers. None of the 24 counties in South Carolina with vouchers has more.

  4. Only 1 of the 46 counties in South Carolina has a higher 2-bedroom fair market rent than Charleston County ($1,884 a month).

  5. Next door, in Williamsburg County, HUD sets the 2-bedroom fair market rent at $885: 53% less than in Charleston County ($1,884).

  6. A year of 2-bedroom fair market rent in Charleston County ($1,884 a month) is 38% of the very low income limit for a family of 4 ($58,750). Only 4 of the 46 counties in South Carolina have a higher share.

Sources: HUD (Fiscal year 2026); HUD (Fiscal year 2027); HUD (Retrieved November 6, 2026); HUD (Fiscal year 2027).

Fair market rent and payment standard

What the voucher can pay, by size

Each year HUD publishes a fair market rent (FMR) for each home size in Charleston County. Your housing agency uses it to set its payment standard: the most the voucher can pay toward rent and utilities.

  • 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
  • Each agency sets a payment standard for each size. Without asking HUD, it can go from 90% to 110% of the fair market rent. 24 CFR §982.503(b), (c)
  • Above 110% is an exception payment standard. Up to 120%, the agency only has to notify HUD that it meets certain criteria. 24 CFR §982.503(d)
Fair market rent and possible payment standard HUD fair market rent by size and the basic payment-standard range (90% to 110% of the fair market rent), Fiscal year 2027.
Size Fair rent per month Possible payment standard
Studio $1,661 $1,495 – $1,827
1 bedroom $1,731 $1,558 – $1,904
2 bedrooms $1,884 $1,696 – $2,072
3 bedrooms $2,336 $2,102 – $2,570
4 bedrooms $2,687 $2,418 – $2,956

HUD area: Charleston-North Charleston, SC MSA. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027

By ZIP code

The fair market rent of each ZIP code

HUD also publishes fair market rents by ZIP code (Small Area FMRs) for 26 ZIP codes in Charleston County (Fiscal year 2027). Where they are used, they are the basis of your home’s payment standard.

For 2 bedrooms they run from $1,220 in 29470 to $2,830 in 29451. With the 90% to 110% rule, the payment standard could run from $1,098 to $1,342 in 29470 and from $2,547 to $3,113 in 29451.

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)

Lowest and highest, by size

  • Studio $1,030 – $2,500
  • 1 bedroom $1,080 – $2,600
  • 2 bedrooms $1,220 – $2,830
  • 3 bedrooms $1,510 – $3,510
  • 4 bedrooms $1,770 – $4,040
Fair market rent by ZIP code and size, in ZIP code order, Fiscal year 2027. HUD area: Charleston-North Charleston, SC.
ZIP code Studio1 bd2 bd3 bd4 bd
29401$2,120$2,200$2,400$2,980$3,420
29403$1,930$2,010$2,190$2,720$3,120
29404$1,990$2,080$2,260$2,800$3,220
29405$1,390$1,450$1,580$1,960$2,250
29406$1,540$1,610$1,750$2,170$2,500
29407$1,680$1,750$1,910$2,370$2,720
29409$1,930$2,010$2,190$2,720$3,120
29412$1,930$2,010$2,190$2,720$3,120
29414$1,900$1,980$2,150$2,670$3,070
29418$1,430$1,490$1,620$2,010$2,310
29424$2,050$2,130$2,320$2,890$3,310
29425$1,680$1,750$1,910$2,370$2,720
29426$1,480$1,540$1,680$2,080$2,400
29429$2,500$2,600$2,830$3,510$4,040
29438$1,030$1,080$1,240$1,520$1,900
29439$2,200$2,300$2,500$3,100$3,570
29449$1,340$1,400$1,520$1,880$2,170
29451$2,500$2,600$2,830$3,510$4,040
29455$1,640$1,710$1,860$2,310$2,650
29456$1,670$1,740$1,890$2,340$2,700
29458$1,670$1,730$1,920$2,370$2,790
29464$2,140$2,230$2,430$3,010$3,470
29466$2,440$2,540$2,770$3,430$3,950
29470$1,080$1,120$1,220$1,510$1,770
29482$2,160$2,250$2,460$3,040$3,510
29487$1,460$1,530$1,670$2,070$2,380

Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Fiscal year 2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD)

How it is figured

What the voucher pays and what you pay

The housing agency pays the owner directly. This is how it is figured, under HUD’s rules:

  1. The payment standard is the most the voucher pays. The agency pays the lower of the payment standard minus your share, or the rent with utilities minus your share. 24 CFR §982.505(a), (b)

  2. Your share (the total tenant payment) is the highest of 30% of your adjusted monthly income, 10% of your monthly income, the part of public assistance set aside for housing, or the minimum rent. 24 CFR §5.628(a)

  3. 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. 24 CFR §982.1(a)(3)

  4. When you move in, if the rent is above the payment standard, your share cannot go over 40% of your adjusted monthly income. 24 CFR §982.305(a)(5), §982.508

An example with HUD’s figures in Charleston County

A family of 4 earning HUD’s extremely low income limit in Charleston County has $35,250 a year, about $2,938 a month. 30% of that income is $881. Since adjusted income is the same or lower, the family’s share would generally not be more than that. If the agency sets the payment standard equal to the fair market rent ($1,884) and the 2-bedroom home rents for that, the voucher would pay about $1,003 or more.

Rent, equal to the fair market rent
$1,884
Family share, at most
$881
Voucher payment, at least
$1,003

This is only an example. Your agency figures your adjusted income, the home size you get and its own payment standard. Sources: HUD fair market rent (Fiscal year 2027) and HUD income limits (Fiscal year 2026).

How to apply

Where and how to ask for a voucher in Charleston County

3 housing agencies are based in Charleston County. This is how you apply:

  • 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. HUD
  • Because demand is high, you may need to sign up on several waiting lists. You do not need to live where you apply. HUD
  • Generally, your family must have very low income: no more than 50% of the area median income. In Charleston County, for a family of 4 that limit is $58,750 a year (Fiscal year 2026). 24 CFR §5.603, §982.201(b)

How much can you earn? Check your case Section 8 and mixed-status families: how it worksRental help and public charge: what the rules sayHow to avoid rental scams: the signs and what to do

Housing agencies that serve this place

Housing agencies in South Carolina HUD list of housing agencies Source: HUD, Retrieved November 6, 2026

Frequently asked questions

How much does Section 8 pay for 2 bedrooms in Charleston County?

It depends on your agency’s payment standard and your income. HUD sets the 2-bedroom fair market rent at $1,884 (Fiscal year 2027), and the basic payment standard can run from $1,696 to $2,072. The voucher pays up to that standard minus your share.

How much do I pay with a voucher?

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. When you move in, if the rent is above the payment standard, your share cannot go over 40% of your adjusted monthly income.

Does the payment standard change by ZIP code in Charleston County?

For 2 bedrooms they run from $1,220 in 29470 to $2,830 in 29451. With the 90% to 110% rule, the payment standard could run from $1,098 to $1,342 in 29470 and from $2,547 to $3,113 in 29451. 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.

Where do I apply for Section 8 in Charleston County?

At a public housing agency. 3 are based in Charleston County, such as Housing Authority of the City of Charleston and Housing Authority of N Charleston. If you qualify, your name usually goes on a waiting list. You can sign up on several: you do not need to live where you apply.

Who qualifies for Section 8 in Charleston County?

Generally, your family must have very low income: no more than 50% of the area median income. In Charleston County, for a family of 4 that limit is $58,750 a year (Fiscal year 2026).