Renting · Section 8
Data from November 2026
Renting in Darlington County, South Carolina
Darlington County has a HUD fair market rent of $1,093 a month for 2 bedrooms (Fiscal year 2027). Renter households here pay a typical rent of $896 a month (Average 2020–2024). Paying the fair market rent without going over 30% of income takes $21.02 an hour, full time.
Four numbers to start with
- Fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
- $1,093
- a month, HUD, Fiscal year 2027
- 21% less than in South Carolina
- Typical rent
- $896
- a month, Census, Average 2020–2024
- 24% less than in South Carolina
- Wage needed
- $21.02
- an hour, 2 bedrooms
- Or $43,720 a year, to spend no more than 30% of income on rent.
- Rent-burdened households
- 56%
- spend 30% or more of income on rent
- 8% more than in South Carolina
Only here
Renting in Darlington County: what sets it apart
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
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Among the neighboring counties, Dillon County has the lowest typical rent ($679), 24% below the $896 in Darlington County.
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18% of households in Darlington County have no internet at home, against 8% in South Carolina.
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 Darlington 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 Darlington County was $1,307 a month in September 2026. 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 | $868 | $16.69 | $34,720 |
| 1 bedroom | $874 | $16.81 | $34,960 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,093 | $21.02 | $43,720 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,302 | $25.04 | $52,080 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,523 | $29.29 | $60,920 |
HUD area: Darlington County, SC 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 10 ZIP codes in Darlington County (Fiscal year 2027). Type yours to see it.
For 2 bedrooms they run from $1,030 in 29069 to $1,190 in 29593. 3 ZIP codes are above the county's fair market rent ($1,093).
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)
| 29069 | Darlington County, SC | $810 | $820 | $1,030 | $1,220 | $1,420 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29069 | Lee County, SC | $810 | $820 | $1,030 | $1,220 | $1,420 |
| 29079 | Darlington County, SC | $850 | $850 | $1,070 | $1,280 | $1,490 |
| 29532 | Darlington County, SC | $870 | $880 | $1,100 | $1,310 | $1,530 |
| 29540 | Darlington County, SC | $820 | $820 | $1,030 | $1,230 | $1,430 |
| 29550 | Chesterfield County, SC | $850 | $850 | $1,070 | $1,280 | $1,490 |
| 29550 | Darlington County, SC | $850 | $850 | $1,070 | $1,280 | $1,490 |
| 29550 | Lee County, SC | $850 | $850 | $1,070 | $1,280 | $1,490 |
| 29593 | Chesterfield County, SC | $920 | $940 | $1,190 | $1,460 | $1,650 |
| 29593 | Darlington County, SC | $920 | $940 | $1,190 | $1,460 | $1,650 |
- 29069 · Darlington County, SC $1,030$1,220
- 29069 · Lee County, SC $1,030$1,220
- 29079 · Darlington County, SC $1,070$1,280
- 29532 · Darlington County, SC $1,100$1,310
- 29540 · Darlington County, SC $1,030$1,230
- 29550 · Chesterfield County, SC $1,070$1,280
- 29550 · Darlington County, SC $1,070$1,280
- 29550 · Lee County, SC $1,070$1,280
- 29593 · Chesterfield County, SC $1,190$1,460
- 29593 · Darlington County, SC $1,190$1,460
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 Darlington County, 56% of renter households are in that position; in South Carolina, 52%, 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.
56%
of renter households spend 30% or more of their income on rent.
7,435 households rent in Darlington County
- Spend half or more of their income 30%
- Spend 30% or more, but less than half 26%
- Spend less than 30% 44%
Compared with the state and the country
- Darlington 56%
- South Carolina 52%
- United States 51%
Low-income apartments
Low-income apartments in Darlington County
HUD lists 17 properties with homes for low-income households in Darlington 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)
- 8
- HUD-assisted
- 8
- public housing
- 2
998 homes in all; 997 of them low-income, according to HUD.
- Pine Village Public housing 206 King Edwards St, Darlington 29532 168 homes, 167 low-income · Run by Housing Authority of Darlington · Average payment: $390 a month · Average wait: 15 months · (843) 393-0436
- East Park Public housing 1301 S 5th St, Hartsville 29550 100 low-income homes · Run by Housing Authority of Hartsville · Average payment: $333 a month · Average wait: 8 months · (843) 332-9244
- Forest Ridge Tax credit (LIHTC) · HUD-assisted 1212 Myrtle St, Hartsville 29550 89 low-income homes · 1 bd: 17 · 2 bd: 40 · 3 bd: 28 · 4 bd: 4 · In service since 2009 · For older adults, families · (843) 332-2162
- Hartsville Garden Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 780 Tailwind Ln, Hartsville 29550 72 low-income homes · 1 bd: 16 · 2 bd: 36 · 3 bd: 20 · In service since 2011
- Swift Creek Apartments HUD-assisted 405 Swift Creek Rd, Hartsville 29550 72 low-income homes · For families · (843) 383-5785
- Springfield Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 100 Springfield Cir, Darlington 29532 71 low-income homes · 1 bd: 28 · 2 bd: 43 · In service since 1995 · For people with disabilities
- Cambridge Apartments HUD-assisted 620 E Jackson St, Lamar 29069 50 low-income homes · For families · (843) 326-5642
- Carolina Pointe fka Brockington Heights HUD-assisted 201 Saleeby Loop, Darlington 29532 50 low-income homes · For families · (843) 395-1261
- Indian Creek HUD-assisted 415 N Main St, Darlington 29532 50 low-income homes · For families · (843) 669-4163
- New Swift Creek Villa Apartments HUD-assisted 411 Wells St, Darlington 29532 48 low-income homes · For families · (843) 393-5112
- Autumn Run Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 405 Wells St, Darlington 29532 40 low-income homes · 2 bd: 24 · 3 bd: 16 · In service since 2004
- Middletown Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 600 W Washington St, Hartsville 29550 40 low-income homes · 2 bd: 24 · 3 bd: 16 · In service since 1997
- Washington Square HUD-assisted 600 Washington St, Darlington 29532 40 low-income homes · For older adults
- Magnolia Senior Village M15-Sg450993 Tax credit (LIHTC) 131 Sojourner Way, Hartsville 29550 32 low-income homes · 2 bd: 32 · In service since 2016 · For older adults
- Pecan Grove Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 105 Price Ct, Darlington 29532 32 low-income homes · 1 bd: 8 · 2 bd: 11 · 3 bd: 9 · 4 bd: 4 · In service since 2007
- Darlington Downtown Lofts Tax credit (LIHTC) 107 Orange St, Darlington 29532 28 low-income homes · 1 bd: 15 · 2 bd: 12 · 3 bd: 1 · In service since 2007
- Hartsville Special Housing, Inc. HUD-assisted 1100 E Carolina Ave, Hartsville 29550 16 low-income homes · For people with disabilities · (843) 773-1416
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 Darlington 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 Darlington County. Here is what the rules say:
The rules, with their source
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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
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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
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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 | $15,960 | $26,150 | $41,800 |
| 2 people | $21,640 | $29,850 | $47,800 |
| 3 people | $27,320 | $33,600 | $53,750 |
| 4 people | $33,000 | $37,300 | $59,700 |
| 5 people | $38,680 | $40,300 | $64,500 |
| 6 people | $43,300 | $43,300 | $69,300 |
| 7 people | $46,300 | $46,300 | $74,050 |
| 8 people | $49,250 | $49,250 | $78,850 |
Area median income: $69,600. HUD income limits by family size, Fiscal year 2026. Area: Darlington County, SC HUD Metro FMR Area. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2026
Possible payment standard
- Studio $781 – $955
- 1 bedroom $787 – $961
- 2 bedrooms $984 – $1,202
- 3 bedrooms $1,172 – $1,432
- 4 bedrooms $1,371 – $1,675
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 Hartsville Public housing and Section 8 vouchers · 214 vouchers · 100 public housing units (843) 332-9244 Housing Authority of Hartsville: kfunderburk@hartsvilleha.org
- Housing Authority of Darlington Public housing and Section 8 vouchers · 97 vouchers · 167 public housing units (843) 393-0436 Housing Authority of Darlington: jsteen@darlingtonha.org
Housing agencies in South Carolina Source: HUD, Retrieved November 6, 2026
Your rights as a tenant in South Carolina
What South Carolina 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.
- When must they return my deposit?
- 30 days
- S.C. Code §27-40-410(a)
- If I fall behind on rent, what notice must I get?
- 5 days
- S.C. Code §27-40-710(B)
- How much notice ends a month-to-month rental?
- 30 days
- S.C. Code §27-40-770(b)
- Only a court order can remove youS.C. Code §27-40-660
- Protection from retaliationS.C. Code §27-40-910(a)
Help
Where to get help with rent in Darlington County
This is the nearest HUD-approved agency. They counsel for free or at low cost.
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City of Florence
324 W Evans St, Florence · 14 miles away
- Fair housing pre-purchase workshops
- Pre-purchase counseling
- and 2 more
Tool
How much cash do you need to move in?
It starts with the 2-bedroom fair market rent in Darlington 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 South Carolina, the average home bill was $150 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
$2,186
What you need before you get the keys.
What adds up
- First month
- $1,093
- Security deposit
- $1,093
- Total
- $2,186
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 Darlington County?
According to HUD (Fiscal year 2027): Studio: $868; 1 bedroom: $874; 2 bedrooms: $1,093; 3 bedrooms: $1,302; 4 bedrooms: $1,523. It covers rent plus basic utilities, except the phone.
How much do you need to earn to rent in Darlington County?
Paying the 2-bedroom fair market rent ($1,093) without spending more than 30% of income takes $21.02 an hour full time, or $43,720 a year.
Who qualifies for Section 8 in Darlington County?
Generally, families with very low income: no more than 50% of the area median income. For 4 people, HUD's limit here is $37,300 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 Darlington 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 $984 and $1,202 a month. Your agency publishes its figure.
Does the fair market rent change by ZIP code in Darlington County?
For 2 bedrooms they run from $1,030 in 29069 to $1,190 in 29593. 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 Darlington County?
HUD lists 17 properties with homes for low-income households in Darlington 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 Darlington County?
HUD counts rent as a burden when it reaches 30% of income or more. In Darlington County, 56% of renter households are in that position; in South Carolina, 52%, and nationwide, 51% (Average 2020–2024, Census).