Renting · Section 8
Data from November 2026
Renting in Karnes County, Texas
Karnes County has a HUD fair market rent of $1,143 a month for 2 bedrooms (Fiscal year 2027). Renter households here pay a typical rent of $957 a month (Average 2020–2024). Paying the fair market rent without going over 30% of income takes $21.98 an hour, full time.
Four numbers to start with
- Fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
- $1,143
- a month, HUD, Fiscal year 2027
- 23% less than in Texas
- Typical rent
- $957
- a month, Census, Average 2020–2024
- 32% less than in Texas
- Wage needed
- $21.98
- an hour, 2 bedrooms
- Or $45,720 a year, to spend no more than 30% of income on rent.
- Rent-burdened households
- 41%
- spend 30% or more of income on rent
- 20% less than in Texas
Only here
Renting in Karnes County: what sets it apart
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
-
24% of households in Karnes County have no internet at home, against 6% in Texas.
-
Nearby, in Goliad County, the typical rent is $754: 21% less than in Karnes County ($957).
-
At 62%, Karnes County ranks 23rd among the 251 counties in Texas with this figure for the lowest homeownership rate.
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 Karnes 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 | $819 | $15.75 | $32,760 |
| 1 bedroom | $872 | $16.77 | $34,880 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,143 | $21.98 | $45,720 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,393 | $26.79 | $55,720 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,683 | $32.37 | $67,320 |
HUD area: Karnes County, TX. 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 12 ZIP codes in Karnes County (Fiscal year 2027). Type yours to see it.
For 2 bedrooms they run from $1,150 in 78111 to $1,300 in 78119. 12 ZIP codes are above the county's fair market rent ($1,143).
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)
| 78111 | Karnes County, TX | $870 | $910 | $1,150 | $1,470 | $1,690 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 78116 | Karnes County, TX | $810 | $880 | $1,150 | $1,430 | $1,690 |
| 78117 | Karnes County, TX | $880 | $940 | $1,150 | $1,490 | $1,690 |
| 78118 | Atascosa County, TX | $790 | $910 | $1,150 | $1,380 | $1,690 |
| 78118 | Karnes County, TX | $790 | $910 | $1,150 | $1,380 | $1,690 |
| 78119 | Bee County, TX | $1,040 | $1,040 | $1,300 | $1,560 | $1,780 |
| 78119 | Karnes County, TX | $1,040 | $1,040 | $1,300 | $1,560 | $1,780 |
| 78119 | Live Oak County, TX | $1,040 | $1,040 | $1,300 | $1,560 | $1,780 |
| 78119 | Victoria, TX | $1,040 | $1,040 | $1,300 | $1,560 | $1,780 |
| 78144 | Karnes County, TX | $800 | $880 | $1,150 | $1,380 | $1,690 |
| 78151 | DeWitt County, TX | $830 | $880 | $1,150 | $1,380 | $1,690 |
| 78151 | Karnes County, TX | $830 | $880 | $1,150 | $1,380 | $1,690 |
- 78111 · Karnes County, TX $1,150$1,470
- 78116 · Karnes County, TX $1,150$1,430
- 78117 · Karnes County, TX $1,150$1,490
- 78118 · Atascosa County, TX $1,150$1,380
- 78118 · Karnes County, TX $1,150$1,380
- 78119 · Bee County, TX $1,300$1,560
- 78119 · Karnes County, TX $1,300$1,560
- 78119 · Live Oak County, TX $1,300$1,560
- 78119 · Victoria, TX $1,300$1,560
- 78144 · Karnes County, TX $1,150$1,380
- 78151 · DeWitt County, TX $1,150$1,380
- 78151 · Karnes County, TX $1,150$1,380
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 Karnes County, 41% of renter households are in that position; in Texas, 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.
41%
of renter households spend 30% or more of their income on rent.
1,777 households rent in Karnes County
- Spend half or more of their income 23%
- Spend 30% or more, but less than half 18%
- Spend less than 30% 59%
Compared with the state and the country
- Karnes 41%
- Texas 52%
- United States 51%
Low-income apartments
Low-income apartments in Karnes County
HUD lists 5 properties with homes for low-income households in Karnes 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)
- 1
- HUD-assisted
- 1
- public housing
- 3
211 homes in all; 210 of them low-income, according to HUD.
- Bluebonnet Square Public housing 101 Evans Ave, Kenedy 78119 72 low-income homes · Run by Kenedy Housing Authority · Average payment: $390 a month · Average wait: 8 months · (830) 583-2321
- Unnamed Public housing Runge 78151 51 homes, 50 low-income · Run by Runge Housing Authority · Average payment: $431 a month · Average wait: 1 month · Homes at several sites · (830) 239-4691
- Town Oaks of Kenedy HUD-assisted 120 Water St, Kenedy 78119 48 low-income homes · For families · (830) 583-3850
- Runge Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 1200 N Goliad, Runge 78151 32 low-income homes · 1 bd: 16 · 2 bd: 16 · In service since 2000
- Sam S Swierc Public housing 311 S Panna Maria St, Falls City 78113 8 low-income homes · Run by Falls City Housing Authority · (830) 583-2321
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 Karnes County
The Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) pays part of your rent on a home you choose. Your public housing agency runs it. 3 agencies serve in Karnes County. 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)
-
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 | $18,100 | $30,100 | $48,200 |
| 2 people | $21,640 | $34,400 | $55,050 |
| 3 people | $27,320 | $38,700 | $61,950 |
| 4 people | $33,000 | $43,000 | $68,800 |
| 5 people | $38,680 | $46,450 | $74,350 |
| 6 people | $44,360 | $49,900 | $79,850 |
| 7 people | $50,040 | $53,350 | $85,350 |
| 8 people | $55,720 | $56,800 | $90,850 |
Area median income: $86,000. HUD income limits by family size, Fiscal year 2026. Area: Karnes County, TX. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2026
Possible payment standard
- Studio $737 – $901
- 1 bedroom $785 – $959
- 2 bedrooms $1,029 – $1,257
- 3 bedrooms $1,254 – $1,532
- 4 bedrooms $1,515 – $1,851
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
- Kenedy Housing Authority Public housing and Section 8 vouchers · 37 vouchers · 72 public housing units (830) 583-2321 Kenedy Housing Authority: cristi@kenedyhousing.info
- Runge Housing Authority Public housing · 50 public housing units (830) 239-4691 Runge Housing Authority: mvillanueva@gvec.net
- Falls City Housing Authority Public housing · 8 public housing units (830) 583-2321 Falls City Housing Authority: cristi@kenedyhousing.info
Housing agencies in Texas Source: HUD, Retrieved November 6, 2026
Your rights as a tenant in Texas
What Texas 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
- Tex. Prop. Code §92.103(a)
- If I fall behind on rent, what notice must I get?
- 3 days
- Tex. Prop. Code §24.005(a)
- Only a court order can remove youTex. Prop. Code §92.0081(b)
- Protection from retaliationTex. Prop. Code §92.331
- Repair and deduct from the rentTex. Prop. Code §92.0561(a)-(b)
Help
Where to get help with rent in Karnes County
These are the nearest HUD-approved agencies. They counsel for free or at low cost.
-
Neighborhood Housing Services of San Antonio
851 Steves Ave, San Antonio · 51 miles away · Spanish
- Mortgage delinquency and default
- Mortgage delinquency workshops
- and 5 more
-
City of San Antonio/Dept of Neighborhood and Housing Services (DNHS)
100 W Houston St, San Antonio · 53 miles away
- Mortgage delinquency and default
- Budget and financial counseling
- and 9 more
-
Greenpath Financial Wellness
12415 Old Converse Rd, Live Oak · 53 miles away · Spanish
- Mortgage delinquency and default
- Budget and financial counseling
- and 3 more
Rental assistance programs
The ones that serve in Karnes County or the whole state, with what each page says about being open.
-
Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP)
Run by Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA)
Texas program, funded by LIHEAP, that helps low-income households pay for electricity and gas, through local agencies in each county
Tool
How much cash do you need to move in?
It starts with the 2-bedroom fair market rent in Karnes 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 Texas, the average home bill was $164 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
$2,286
What you need before you get the keys.
What adds up
- First month
- $1,143
- Security deposit
- $1,143
- Total
- $2,286
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 Karnes County?
According to HUD (Fiscal year 2027): Studio: $819; 1 bedroom: $872; 2 bedrooms: $1,143; 3 bedrooms: $1,393; 4 bedrooms: $1,683. It covers rent plus basic utilities, except the phone.
How much do you need to earn to rent in Karnes County?
Paying the 2-bedroom fair market rent ($1,143) without spending more than 30% of income takes $21.98 an hour full time, or $45,720 a year.
Who qualifies for Section 8 in Karnes County?
Generally, families with very low income: no more than 50% of the area median income. For 4 people, HUD's limit here is $43,000 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 Karnes 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 $1,029 and $1,257 a month. Your agency publishes its figure.
Does the fair market rent change by ZIP code in Karnes County?
For 2 bedrooms they run from $1,150 in 78111 to $1,300 in 78119. 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 Karnes County?
HUD lists 5 properties with homes for low-income households in Karnes 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 Karnes County?
HUD counts rent as a burden when it reaches 30% of income or more. In Karnes County, 41% of renter households are in that position; in Texas, 52%, and nationwide, 51% (Average 2020–2024, Census).