Renting · Section 8
Data from November 2026
Renting in Sumter County, South Carolina
Sumter County has a HUD fair market rent of $1,338 a month for 2 bedrooms (Fiscal year 2027). Renter households here pay a typical rent of $1,057 a month (Average 2020–2024). Paying the fair market rent without going over 30% of income takes $25.73 an hour, full time.
Four numbers to start with
- Fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
- $1,338
- a month, HUD, Fiscal year 2027
- 4% less than in South Carolina
- Typical rent
- $1,057
- a month, Census, Average 2020–2024
- 10% less than in South Carolina
- Wage needed
- $25.73
- an hour, 2 bedrooms
- Or $53,520 a year, to spend no more than 30% of income on rent.
- Rent-burdened households
- 52%
- spend 30% or more of income on rent
- About the same as in South Carolina
Only here
Renting in Sumter County: what sets it apart
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
-
Nearby, in Clarendon County, the typical rent is $763: 28% less than in Sumter County ($1,057).
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 Sumter 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 Sumter County was $1,472 a month in September 2026: 5.4% more than 12 months ago. 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 | $932 | $17.92 | $37,280 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,023 | $19.67 | $40,920 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,338 | $25.73 | $53,520 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,594 | $30.65 | $63,760 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,060 | $39.62 | $82,400 |
HUD area: Sumter, SC MSA. 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 14 ZIP codes in Sumter County (Fiscal year 2027). Type yours to see it.
For 2 bedrooms they run from $1,000 in 29125 to $1,720 in 29152. 2 ZIP codes are above the county's fair market rent ($1,338).
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)
| 29040 | Lee County, SC | $920 | $1,010 | $1,320 | $1,570 | $2,020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29040 | Sumter, SC | $920 | $1,010 | $1,320 | $1,570 | $2,020 |
| 29062 | Sumter, SC | $860 | $960 | $1,170 | $1,420 | $1,740 |
| 29125 | Clarendon County, SC | $700 | $760 | $1,000 | $1,210 | $1,520 |
| 29125 | Sumter, SC | $700 | $760 | $1,000 | $1,210 | $1,520 |
| 29128 | Kershaw County, SC | $890 | $960 | $1,250 | $1,490 | $1,900 |
| 29128 | Lee County, SC | $890 | $960 | $1,250 | $1,490 | $1,900 |
| 29128 | Sumter, SC | $890 | $960 | $1,250 | $1,490 | $1,900 |
| 29150 | Sumter, SC | $910 | $1,000 | $1,310 | $1,560 | $2,020 |
| 29152 | Sumter, SC | $1,200 | $1,310 | $1,720 | $2,050 | $2,650 |
| 29153 | Lee County, SC | $850 | $940 | $1,230 | $1,460 | $1,880 |
| 29153 | Sumter, SC | $850 | $940 | $1,230 | $1,460 | $1,880 |
| 29154 | Sumter, SC | $1,000 | $1,100 | $1,440 | $1,720 | $2,220 |
| 29168 | Sumter, SC | $930 | $1,020 | $1,330 | $1,580 | $2,050 |
- 29040 · Lee County, SC $1,320$1,570
- 29040 · Sumter, SC $1,320$1,570
- 29062 · Sumter, SC $1,170$1,420
- 29125 · Clarendon County, SC $1,000$1,210
- 29125 · Sumter, SC $1,000$1,210
- 29128 · Kershaw County, SC $1,250$1,490
- 29128 · Lee County, SC $1,250$1,490
- 29128 · Sumter, SC $1,250$1,490
- 29150 · Sumter, SC $1,310$1,560
- 29152 · Sumter, SC $1,720$2,050
- 29153 · Lee County, SC $1,230$1,460
- 29153 · Sumter, SC $1,230$1,460
- 29154 · Sumter, SC $1,440$1,720
- 29168 · Sumter, SC $1,330$1,580
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 Sumter County, 52% 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.
52%
of renter households spend 30% or more of their income on rent.
13,093 households rent in Sumter County
- Spend half or more of their income 19%
- Spend 30% or more, but less than half 33%
- Spend less than 30% 48%
Compared with the state and the country
- Sumter 52%
- South Carolina 52%
- United States 51%
Low-income apartments
Low-income apartments in Sumter County
HUD lists 34 properties with homes for low-income households in Sumter 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)
- 17
- HUD-assisted
- 15
- public housing
- 2
1,773 homes in all; 1,700 of them low-income, according to HUD.
- Harmony/Friendship Public housing 525 E Calhoun St, Sumter 29150 164 low-income homes · Run by Housing Authority of Sumter · Average payment: $344 a month · Average wait: 12 months · Homes at several sites · (803) 775-4357
- Hampton/Rast/S. Sumter/Pinewood Public housing 26 Rast St, Sumter 29150 163 low-income homes · Run by Housing Authority of Sumter · Average payment: $373 a month · Average wait: 13 months · Homes at several sites · (803) 775-4357
- Palmetto Towers HUD-assisted 1150 S Pike W, Sumter 29150 96 homes, 95 low-income · For older adults · (803) 469-3480
- Oakland Plantation Tax credit (LIHTC) 5501 Edgehill Rd, Sumter 29154 72 low-income homes · 1 bd: 8 · 2 bd: 56 · 3 bd: 8 · In service since 2017 · For families
- South Forge Apts (was Spanish Gardens) Tax credit (LIHTC) 230 SC Hwy 261 S, Wedgefield 29168 72 low-income homes · 1 bd: 36 · 2 bd: 36 · In service since 1998
- Shiloh Randolph Manor HUD-assisted 125 W Bartlette St, Sumter 29150 72 homes, 71 low-income · For older adults · (803) 775-0575
- Brookhollow Place Tax credit (LIHTC) 985 Jubilee Dr, Sumter 29150 64 low-income homes · 1 bd: 24 · 2 bd: 24 · 3 bd: 16 · In service since 2010
- Hickory Hollow Tax credit (LIHTC) 1000 Cashew Ln, Sumter 29153 64 low-income homes · Studio: 8 · 2 bd: 25 · 3 bd: 8 · 4 bd: 23 · In service since 2004
- Wall ST Green Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 970 Wolf Pack Ct, Sumter 29150 64 low-income homes · 2 bd: 48 · 3 bd: 16 · In service since 2007
- MT Pisgah Apartments HUD-assisted 751 N Main St, Sumter 29150 60 low-income homes · For families · (803) 938-8085
- Springcreek Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 1004 Mineral Cir, Sumter 29153 60 low-income homes · 1 bd: 40 · 2 bd: 20 · In service since 2008
- Southview Apts. HUD-assisted 60 Hilliard Dr, Sumter 29150 59 low-income homes · For older adults · (803) 934-1449
- Dignity Village HUD-assisted 11 N Blanding St, Sumter 29150 58 low-income homes · For older adults · (803) 775-9611
- Bassett Park Apartments HUD-assisted 1390 Granville Ct, Sumter 29150 53 low-income homes · For older adults · (803) 469-8238
- Poplar Square Apartments HUD-assisted 925 Miller Rd, Sumter 29150 100 homes, 50 low-income · For families · (803) 773-5642
- Evergreen Villas Tax credit (LIHTC) 101 N Wise Dr, Sumter 29150 49 low-income homes · 2 bd: 49 · In service since 2019
- Garden Circle Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 202 E Liberty St, Sumter 29150 50 homes, 48 low-income · Studio: 34 · 1 bd: 14 · 3 bd: 2 · In service since 2002 · For older adults
- Chestnut Pointe Tax credit (LIHTC) 190 Roxbury Ct, Sumter 29150 48 low-income homes · 1 bd: 8 · 2 bd: 24 · 3 bd: 16 · In service since 2013 · For families
- S P Holladay Manor Tax credit (LIHTC) 105 S Sumter St, Sumter 29150 48 low-income homes · 1 bd: 18 · 2 bd: 30 · In service since 2001 · For older adults
- Sumter Place Tax credit (LIHTC) 14 W Bartlette St, Sumter 29150 41 low-income homes · 1 bd: 30 · 2 bd: 11 · In service since 2007 · For older adults
- Bracey Square Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 1269 Manning Rd, Sumter 29150 40 low-income homes · 2 bd: 20 · 3 bd: 20 · In service since 1999 · For people with disabilities, families
- Misty Ridge Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 10 Fair Forest Dr, Sumter 29150 32 low-income homes · 3 bd: 32 · In service since 2001
- Springhollow Tax credit (LIHTC) 1010 Tupelo Ln, Sumter 29153 32 low-income homes · 3 bd: 32 · In service since 2010
- Wall Street Green Phase II Tax credit (LIHTC) 970 Wolf Pack Ct, Sumter 29150 32 low-income homes · 2 bd: 24 · 3 bd: 8 · In service since 2015 · For families
- Sumter Senior Apartments Tax credit (LIHTC) 405 W Liberty St, Sumter 29150 30 low-income homes · 1 bd: 14 · 2 bd: 16 · In service since 2017
- Sumter Senior Apartments M15-Sg450997 Tax credit (LIHTC) 411 W Liberty St, Sumter 29150 30 low-income homes · 1 bd: 15 · 2 bd: 15 · In service since 2017 · For older adults
- Creative Environments HUD-assisted 13 Kendrick St, Sumter 29150 18 low-income homes · For people with disabilities · (803) 778-1669
- Adaptive Lifestyles Inc HUD-assisted 1155 Briar Bend St, Sumter 29154 16 low-income homes · For people with disabilities · (803) 778-1669
- Washington Place HUD-assisted 14 S Washington St, Sumter 29150 16 low-income homes · For people with disabilities · (803) 775-0950
- Magnolia Manor of Sumter HUD-assisted 11 N Salem Ave, Sumter 29150 24 homes, 12 low-income · For people with disabilities · (803) 788-1669, ext. 123
- Abilities Unlimited, Inc. HUD-assisted 19 Radcliff Dr, Sumter 29150 16 homes, 12 low-income · For people with disabilities · (803) 778-1669
- Miracle Square, Inc. HUD-assisted 733 N Main St, Sumter 29150 10 low-income homes · For people with disabilities · (803) 775-5306
- Independent Living HUD-assisted 220 Best St, Sumter 29150 12 homes, 9 low-income · For people with disabilities · (803) 778-1669
- First Flight HUD-assisted 2800 Drake St, Sumter 29153 8 low-income homes · 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 Sumter County
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 Sumter 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
-
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)
-
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: $74,200. HUD income limits by family size, Fiscal year 2026. Area: Sumter, SC MSA. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2026
Possible payment standard
- Studio $839 – $1,025
- 1 bedroom $921 – $1,125
- 2 bedrooms $1,204 – $1,472
- 3 bedrooms $1,435 – $1,753
- 4 bedrooms $1,854 – $2,266
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 Sumter Public housing and Section 8 vouchers · 941 vouchers · 327 public housing units (803) 775-4357
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 Sumter County
These are the nearest HUD-approved agencies. They counsel for free or at low cost.
-
City of Florence
324 W Evans St, Florence · 40 miles away
- Fair housing pre-purchase workshops
- Pre-purchase counseling
- and 2 more
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Southeastern Housing & Community Development Fka Southeastern Housing Foundation
986 Doyle St, Orangeburg · 40 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 Sumter 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
$2,676
What you need before you get the keys.
What adds up
- First month
- $1,338
- Security deposit
- $1,338
- Total
- $2,676
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 Sumter County?
According to HUD (Fiscal year 2027): Studio: $932; 1 bedroom: $1,023; 2 bedrooms: $1,338; 3 bedrooms: $1,594; 4 bedrooms: $2,060. It covers rent plus basic utilities, except the phone.
How much do you need to earn to rent in Sumter County?
Paying the 2-bedroom fair market rent ($1,338) without spending more than 30% of income takes $25.73 an hour full time, or $53,520 a year.
Who qualifies for Section 8 in Sumter 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 Sumter 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 $1,204 and $1,472 a month. Your agency publishes its figure.
Does the fair market rent change by ZIP code in Sumter County?
For 2 bedrooms they run from $1,000 in 29125 to $1,720 in 29152. 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 Sumter County?
HUD lists 34 properties with homes for low-income households in Sumter 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 Sumter County?
HUD counts rent as a burden when it reaches 30% of income or more. In Sumter County, 52% of renter households are in that position; in South Carolina, 52%, and nationwide, 51% (Average 2020–2024, Census).