Renting · Section 8
Data from November 2026
Renting in Lauderdale County, Tennessee
Lauderdale County has a HUD fair market rent of $995 a month for 2 bedrooms (Fiscal year 2027). Renter households here pay a typical rent of $774 a month (Average 2020–2024). Paying the fair market rent without going over 30% of income takes $19.13 an hour, full time.
Four numbers to start with
- Fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
- $995
- a month, HUD, Fiscal year 2027
- 28% less than in Tennessee
- Typical rent
- $774
- a month, Census, Average 2020–2024
- 35% less than in Tennessee
- Wage needed
- $19.13
- an hour, 2 bedrooms
- Or $39,800 a year, to spend no more than 30% of income on rent.
- Rent-burdened households
- 50%
- spend 30% or more of income on rent
- 2% more than in Tennessee
Only here
Renting in Lauderdale County: what sets it apart
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
-
Among the neighboring counties, Lake County has the lowest typical rent ($532), 31% below the $774 in Lauderdale County.
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Lauderdale County has the 10th lowest homeownership rate of the 95 counties in Tennessee (64%).
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 Lauderdale 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 | $756 | $14.54 | $30,240 |
| 1 bedroom | $761 | $14.63 | $30,440 |
| 2 bedrooms | $995 | $19.13 | $39,800 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,294 | $24.88 | $51,760 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,533 | $29.48 | $61,320 |
HUD area: Lauderdale County, TN. 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 6 ZIP codes in Lauderdale County (Fiscal year 2027). Type yours to see it.
For 2 bedrooms they run from $1,000 in 38040 to $1,000 in 38063. 6 ZIP codes are above the county's fair market rent ($995).
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)
| 38040 | Crockett County, TN | $760 | $780 | $1,000 | $1,310 | $1,520 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 38040 | Dyer County, TN | $760 | $780 | $1,000 | $1,310 | $1,520 |
| 38040 | Lauderdale County, TN | $760 | $780 | $1,000 | $1,310 | $1,520 |
| 38041 | Lauderdale County, TN | $760 | $760 | $1,000 | $1,290 | $1,530 |
| 38063 | Haywood County, TN | $760 | $760 | $1,000 | $1,300 | $1,530 |
| 38063 | Lauderdale County, TN | $760 | $760 | $1,000 | $1,300 | $1,530 |
- 38040 · Crockett County, TN $1,000$1,310
- 38040 · Dyer County, TN $1,000$1,310
- 38040 · Lauderdale County, TN $1,000$1,310
- 38041 · Lauderdale County, TN $1,000$1,290
- 38063 · Haywood County, TN $1,000$1,300
- 38063 · Lauderdale County, TN $1,000$1,300
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 Lauderdale County, 50% of renter households are in that position; in Tennessee, 49%, 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.
50%
of renter households spend 30% or more of their income on rent.
3,324 households rent in Lauderdale County
- Spend half or more of their income 26%
- Spend 30% or more, but less than half 24%
- Spend less than 30% 50%
Compared with the state and the country
- Lauderdale 50%
- Tennessee 49%
- United States 51%
Low-income apartments
Low-income apartments in Lauderdale County
HUD lists 10 properties with homes for low-income households in Lauderdale County: tax-credit apartments (LIHTC) and HUD-assisted buildings. They run from the most low-income homes to the fewest.
- with tax credits (LIHTC)
- 4
- HUD-assisted
- 6
639 homes in all; 599 of them low-income, according to HUD.
- Ripley Housing Authority HUD-assisted 101 Northcrest St, Ripley 38063 193 low-income homes · For families · (713) 635-1948
- Lauderdale Homes Tax credit (LIHTC) 290 Trey Ln, Ripley 38063 110 low-income homes · 4 bd: 110 · In service since 2004
- Chapel and Crescent Apartments HUD-assisted 104 Crescent Ave, Ripley 38063 71 low-income homes · For families · (731) 635-1901
- Ripley Meadows Apartments HUD-assisted 269 Gay St, Ripley 38063 66 low-income homes · For older adults · (731) 635-5141
- Chapel Ridge at Ripley Tax credit (LIHTC) 449 Robeson St, Ripley 38063 64 low-income homes · 1 bd: 16 · 2 bd: 32 · 3 bd: 16 · In service since 2003 · For families
- Ripley Meadows First Addition HUD-assisted 249 Gay St, Ripley 38063 30 low-income homes · For families · (731) 635-5141
- Wesley Park Meadows HUD-assisted 802 Park Meadow Cv, Halls 38040 26 low-income homes · For older adults · (731) 836-7389
- Center Point Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 550 S Church St, Henning 38041 24 low-income homes · 1 bd: 20 · 2 bd: 4 · In service since 1995
- Gates Apartments HUD-assisted 614 Huntington St, Gates 38037 15 low-income homes · For families · (901) 872-0759
- Hyde Creek Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 424 Charles Griggs St, Ripley 38063 40 homes
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 Lauderdale 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 Lauderdale 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 | $16,400 | $27,300 | $43,700 |
| 2 people | $21,640 | $31,200 | $49,950 |
| 3 people | $27,320 | $35,100 | $56,200 |
| 4 people | $33,000 | $39,000 | $62,400 |
| 5 people | $38,680 | $42,150 | $67,400 |
| 6 people | $44,360 | $45,250 | $72,400 |
| 7 people | $48,400 | $48,400 | $77,400 |
| 8 people | $51,500 | $51,500 | $82,400 |
Area median income: $69,000. HUD income limits by family size, Fiscal year 2026. Area: Lauderdale County, TN. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2026
Possible payment standard
- Studio $680 – $832
- 1 bedroom $685 – $837
- 2 bedrooms $896 – $1,095
- 3 bedrooms $1,165 – $1,423
- 4 bedrooms $1,380 – $1,686
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
- Ripley Housing Authority Public housing (731) 635-1901 Ripley Housing Authority: jjones@ripleyhousing.org
Housing agencies in Tennessee Source: HUD, Retrieved November 6, 2026
Your rights as a tenant in Tennessee
What Tennessee 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.
- If I fall behind on rent, what notice must I get?
- 14 days
- T.C.A. §66-28-505(a)(1)-(2)
- How much notice ends a month-to-month rental?
- 30 days
- T.C.A. §66-28-512(b)
Help
Where to get help with rent in Lauderdale County
These are the nearest HUD-approved agencies. They counsel for free or at low cost.
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Frayser Community Development Corporation
3684 N Watkins St, Memphis · 43 miles away
- Mortgage delinquency and default
- Mortgage delinquency workshops
- and 6 more
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West Tennessee Legal Services, Incorporated
210 West Main Street, Jackson · 46 miles away · Spanish
- Mortgage delinquency and default
- Budget and financial counseling
- and 8 more
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West Tennessee Legal Services, Inc.
210 W Main St, Jackson · 46 miles away
- Mortgage delinquency and default
- Budget and financial counseling
- and 8 more
Tool
How much cash do you need to move in?
It starts with the 2-bedroom fair market rent in Lauderdale 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 Tennessee, the average home bill was $143 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
$1,990
What you need before you get the keys.
What adds up
- First month
- $995
- Security deposit
- $995
- Total
- $1,990
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 Lauderdale County?
According to HUD (Fiscal year 2027): Studio: $756; 1 bedroom: $761; 2 bedrooms: $995; 3 bedrooms: $1,294; 4 bedrooms: $1,533. It covers rent plus basic utilities, except the phone.
How much do you need to earn to rent in Lauderdale County?
Paying the 2-bedroom fair market rent ($995) without spending more than 30% of income takes $19.13 an hour full time, or $39,800 a year.
Who qualifies for Section 8 in Lauderdale County?
Generally, families with very low income: no more than 50% of the area median income. For 4 people, HUD's limit here is $39,000 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 Lauderdale 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 $896 and $1,095 a month. Your agency publishes its figure.
Does the fair market rent change by ZIP code in Lauderdale County?
For 2 bedrooms they run from $1,000 in 38040 to $1,000 in 38063. 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 Lauderdale County?
HUD lists 10 properties with homes for low-income households in Lauderdale 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 Lauderdale County?
HUD counts rent as a burden when it reaches 30% of income or more. In Lauderdale County, 50% of renter households are in that position; in Tennessee, 49%, and nationwide, 51% (Average 2020–2024, Census).