Renting · Section 8
Data from November 2026
Renting in Lee County, South Carolina
Lee County has a HUD fair market rent of $885 a month for 2 bedrooms (Fiscal year 2027). Renter households here pay a typical rent of $823 a month (Average 2020–2024). Paying the fair market rent without going over 30% of income takes $17.02 an hour, full time.
Four numbers to start with
- Fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
- $885
- a month, HUD, Fiscal year 2027
- 36% less than in South Carolina
- Typical rent
- $823
- a month, Census, Average 2020–2024
- 30% less than in South Carolina
- Wage needed
- $17.02
- an hour, 2 bedrooms
- Or $35,400 a year, to spend no more than 30% of income on rent.
- Rent-burdened households
- 53%
- spend 30% or more of income on rent
- About the same as in South Carolina
Only here
Renting in Lee County: what sets it apart
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
-
14% of households in Lee 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 Lee 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 | $643 | $12.37 | $25,720 |
| 1 bedroom | $677 | $13.02 | $27,080 |
| 2 bedrooms | $885 | $17.02 | $35,400 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,054 | $20.27 | $42,160 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,163 | $22.37 | $46,520 |
HUD area: Lee County, SC. 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 7 ZIP codes in Lee County (Fiscal year 2027). Type yours to see it.
For 2 bedrooms they run from $890 in 29046 to $1,000 in 29104. 7 ZIP codes are above the county's fair market rent ($885).
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)
| 29010 | Kershaw County, SC | $760 | $770 | $910 | $1,100 | $1,320 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29010 | Lee County, SC | $760 | $770 | $910 | $1,100 | $1,320 |
| 29046 | Lee County, SC | $640 | $680 | $890 | $1,060 | $1,250 |
| 29080 | Lee County, SC | $630 | $690 | $890 | $1,050 | $1,280 |
| 29080 | Sumter, SC | $630 | $690 | $890 | $1,050 | $1,280 |
| 29104 | Lee County, SC | $710 | $770 | $1,000 | $1,200 | $1,460 |
| 29104 | Sumter, SC | $710 | $770 | $1,000 | $1,200 | $1,460 |
- 29010 · Kershaw County, SC $910$1,100
- 29010 · Lee County, SC $910$1,100
- 29046 · Lee County, SC $890$1,060
- 29080 · Lee County, SC $890$1,050
- 29080 · Sumter, SC $890$1,050
- 29104 · Lee County, SC $1,000$1,200
- 29104 · Sumter, SC $1,000$1,200
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 Lee County, 53% 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.
53%
of renter households spend 30% or more of their income on rent.
1,874 households rent in Lee County
- Spend half or more of their income 31%
- Spend 30% or more, but less than half 22%
- Spend less than 30% 47%
Compared with the state and the country
- Lee 53%
- South Carolina 52%
- United States 51%
Low-income apartments
Low-income apartments in Lee County
HUD lists 11 properties with homes for low-income households in Lee County: tax-credit apartments (LIHTC) and HUD-assisted buildings. They run from the most low-income homes to the fewest.
- with tax credits (LIHTC)
- 8
- HUD-assisted
- 4
362 homes in all; 361 of them low-income, according to HUD.
- Lynches River Apartments HUD-assisted 121 Academy Rd, Bishopville 29010 50 low-income homes · For families · (803) 484-5917
- Woodside Apartments Tax credit (LIHTC) · HUD-assisted 210 Roland St, Bishopville 29010 48 low-income homes · 1 bd: 8 · 2 bd: 24 · 3 bd: 6 · In service since 2017 · For families · (803) 484-5863
- Ashwood Pointe Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 224 Moseley St, Bishopville 29010 40 low-income homes · 2 bd: 24 · 3 bd: 16 · In service since 2000 · For families
- Ivy Terrace Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 560 S Lee St, Bishopville 29010 40 low-income homes · 1 bd: 40 · In service since 1992 · For older adults
- Ashley Park Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 214 Chappell Dr, Bishopville 29010 32 low-income homes · 1 bd: 8 · 2 bd: 24 · In service since 2008
- Lee County Senior Apts. HUD-assisted 318 Chappell Dr, Bishopville 29010 32 low-income homes · For older adults · (803) 484-5307
- Spring Garden Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 536 S Lee St, Bishopville 29010 32 low-income homes · 2 bd: 16 · 3 bd: 16 · In service since 1997
- Fieldale Tax credit (LIHTC) 415 Cousar St, Bishopville 29010 30 low-income homes · 1 bd: 6 · 2 bd: 20 · 3 bd: 4 · In service since 2005
- Pepper Tree Apts of Bishopville, SC Tax credit (LIHTC) 120 Woodward St, Bishopville 29010 24 low-income homes · 2 bd: 24 · In service since 1994
- Timmons Village Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 13 Timmons St, Lynchburg 29080 18 low-income homes · 1 bd: 12 · 2 bd: 6 · In service since 2010
- Lee County Special Housing HUD-assisted 814 McLeod Rd, Bishopville 29010 16 homes, 15 low-income · For people with disabilities · (843) 832-8321
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 Lee County
The Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) pays part of your rent on a home you choose. A public housing agency runs it. HUD lists none with an office in Lee County; the state's agencies can help you. 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)
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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
-
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: $61,400. HUD income limits by family size, Fiscal year 2026. Area: Lee County, SC. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2026
Possible payment standard
- Studio $579 – $707
- 1 bedroom $609 – $745
- 2 bedrooms $797 – $974
- 3 bedrooms $949 – $1,159
- 4 bedrooms $1,047 – $1,279
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
HUD lists no housing agency with an office in Lee County. You can apply at another agency in your state: you do not have to live where you apply. Source: HUD
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 Lee County
These are the nearest HUD-approved agencies. They counsel for free or at low cost.
-
City of Florence
324 W Evans St, Florence · 28 miles away
- Fair housing pre-purchase workshops
- Pre-purchase counseling
- and 2 more
-
Southeastern Housing & Community Development Fka Southeastern Housing Foundation
986 Doyle St, Orangeburg · 58 miles away
- Budget and financial counseling
- Fair housing pre-purchase workshops
- and 3 more
Tool
How much cash do you need to move in?
It starts with the 2-bedroom fair market rent in Lee 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
$1,770
What you need before you get the keys.
What adds up
- First month
- $885
- Security deposit
- $885
- Total
- $1,770
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 Lee County?
According to HUD (Fiscal year 2027): Studio: $643; 1 bedroom: $677; 2 bedrooms: $885; 3 bedrooms: $1,054; 4 bedrooms: $1,163. It covers rent plus basic utilities, except the phone.
How much do you need to earn to rent in Lee County?
Paying the 2-bedroom fair market rent ($885) without spending more than 30% of income takes $17.02 an hour full time, or $35,400 a year.
Who qualifies for Section 8 in Lee 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 Lee 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 $797 and $974 a month. Your agency publishes its figure.
Does the fair market rent change by ZIP code in Lee County?
For 2 bedrooms they run from $890 in 29046 to $1,000 in 29104. 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 Lee County?
HUD lists 11 properties with homes for low-income households in Lee County: tax-credit apartments (LIHTC) and HUD-assisted buildings. 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 Lee County?
HUD counts rent as a burden when it reaches 30% of income or more. In Lee County, 53% of renter households are in that position; in South Carolina, 52%, and nationwide, 51% (Average 2020–2024, Census).