Renting · Section 8
Data from November 2026
Renting in Liberty County, Texas
Liberty County has a HUD fair market rent of $1,497 a month for 2 bedrooms (Fiscal year 2027). Renter households here pay a typical rent of $1,044 a month (Average 2020–2024). Paying the fair market rent without going over 30% of income takes $28.79 an hour, full time.
Four numbers to start with
- Fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
- $1,497
- a month, HUD, Fiscal year 2027
- About the same as in Texas
- Typical rent
- $1,044
- a month, Census, Average 2020–2024
- 26% less than in Texas
- Wage needed
- $28.79
- an hour, 2 bedrooms
- Or $59,880 a year, to spend no more than 30% of income on rent.
- Rent-burdened households
- 54%
- spend 30% or more of income on rent
- 4% more than in Texas
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 Liberty 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 Liberty County was $1,586 a month in September 2026: 1.9% 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 | $1,233 | $23.71 | $49,320 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,261 | $24.25 | $50,440 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,497 | $28.79 | $59,880 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,017 | $38.79 | $80,680 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,502 | $48.12 | $100,080 |
HUD area: Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX 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 14 ZIP codes in Liberty County (Fiscal year 2027). Type yours to see it.
For 2 bedrooms they run from $1,020 in 77561 to $1,200 in 77535. No ZIP code is above the county's fair market rent ($1,497).
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)
| 77327 | Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX | $920 | $940 | $1,120 | $1,510 | $1,870 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 77327 | Polk County, TX | $920 | $940 | $1,120 | $1,510 | $1,870 |
| 77327 | San Jacinto County, TX | $920 | $940 | $1,120 | $1,510 | $1,870 |
| 77368 | Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX | $940 | $960 | $1,140 | $1,540 | $1,910 |
| 77369 | Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | $930 | $940 | $1,140 | $1,510 | $1,860 |
| 77369 | Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX | $930 | $940 | $1,140 | $1,510 | $1,860 |
| 77533 | Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX | $950 | $970 | $1,150 | $1,550 | $1,920 |
| 77535 | Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX | $990 | $1,010 | $1,200 | $1,620 | $2,010 |
| 77538 | Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX | $960 | $980 | $1,180 | $1,570 | $1,940 |
| 77561 | Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX | $840 | $860 | $1,020 | $1,370 | $1,700 |
| 77564 | Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | $880 | $900 | $1,070 | $1,430 | $1,780 |
| 77564 | Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX | $880 | $900 | $1,070 | $1,430 | $1,780 |
| 77575 | Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX | $840 | $860 | $1,020 | $1,370 | $1,700 |
| 77582 | Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX | $840 | $860 | $1,020 | $1,370 | $1,700 |
- 77327 · Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX $1,120$1,510
- 77327 · Polk County, TX $1,120$1,510
- 77327 · San Jacinto County, TX $1,120$1,510
- 77368 · Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX $1,140$1,540
- 77369 · Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX $1,140$1,510
- 77369 · Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX $1,140$1,510
- 77533 · Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX $1,150$1,550
- 77535 · Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX $1,200$1,620
- 77538 · Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX $1,180$1,570
- 77561 · Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX $1,020$1,370
- 77564 · Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX $1,070$1,430
- 77564 · Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX $1,070$1,430
- 77575 · Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX $1,020$1,370
- 77582 · Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX $1,020$1,370
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 Liberty County, 54% 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.
54%
of renter households spend 30% or more of their income on rent.
5,514 households rent in Liberty County
- Spend half or more of their income 28%
- Spend 30% or more, but less than half 26%
- Spend less than 30% 46%
Compared with the state and the country
- Liberty 54%
- Texas 52%
- United States 51%
Low-income apartments
Low-income apartments in Liberty County
HUD lists 15 properties with homes for low-income households in Liberty 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)
- 11
- HUD-assisted
- 3
- public housing
- 2
800 homes in all; 748 of them low-income, according to HUD.
- Unnamed Public housing 1008 W Clayton St, Dayton 77535 100 low-income homes · Run by Housing Authority of the City of Dayton · Average payment: $485 a month · Average wait: 2 months · (936) 258-5372
- Cedar Ridge Apartments Tax credit (LIHTC) 1907 N Winfree St, Dayton 77535 80 low-income homes · 2 bd: 80 · For older adults, people with disabilities, families, people experiencing homelessness
- Pineridge Plaza Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 1301 Nevell St, Cleveland 77327 70 low-income homes · 1 bd: 22 · 2 bd: 24 · 3 bd: 24 · In service since 1998
- Unnamed Public housing Cleveland 77327 70 low-income homes · Run by Housing Authority of Cleveland · Average payment: $396 a month · Average wait: 20 months · Homes at several sites · (281) 593-1159
- Park Place Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) · HUD-assisted 100 Campbell St, Cleveland 77327 60 low-income homes · 1 bd: 36 · 2 bd: 16 · 3 bd: 8 · For people with disabilities · (281) 592-0332
- Park Forest Tax credit (LIHTC) 200 Cook Rd, Liberty 77575 56 low-income homes · 1 bd: 16 · 2 bd: 32 · 3 bd: 8 · For older adults, people with disabilities, families, people experiencing homelessness
- Azalea Terrace HUD-assisted 121 Peach Ave, Cleveland 77327 53 homes, 52 low-income · For older adults · (281) 592-1952
- Dayton Park Apts II Tax credit (LIHTC) 4490 N Cleveland St, Dayton 77535 50 low-income homes · 2 bd: 22 · 3 bd: 24 · 4 bd: 4 · In service since 1997
- Cleveland Plaza Tax credit (LIHTC) 915 E Hanson St, Cleveland 77327 48 low-income homes · 1 bd: 20 · 2 bd: 24 · 3 bd: 4 · In service since 1992
- Dayton Retirement Center Tax credit (LIHTC) 1900 N Winfree St, Dayton 77535 48 low-income homes · 1 bd: 48 · For older adults, people with disabilities, families, people experiencing homelessness
- Dayton Square LTD Tax credit (LIHTC) 2800 N Winfree St, Dayton 77535 48 low-income homes · 1 bd: 44 · 2 bd: 4 · In service since 1994
- Retirement Center of Dayton Tax credit (LIHTC) 1900 N Winfree St, Dayton 77535 48 low-income homes · 1 bd: 48 · In service since 1995
- Independence Oaks HUD-assisted 303 Sleepy Hollow Dr, Cleveland 77327 15 homes, 14 low-income · For people with disabilities · (210) 220-1908
- Dayton Townhomes Tax credit (LIHTC) 550 Aaron St, Dayton 77535 4 low-income homes · 2 bd: 4 · In service since 1992
- Dayton Park Apts I Tax credit (LIHTC) 4490 N Cleveland St, Dayton 77535 50 homes
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 Liberty 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 Liberty 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 | $21,850 | $36,400 | $58,250 |
| 2 people | $25,000 | $41,600 | $66,600 |
| 3 people | $28,100 | $46,800 | $74,900 |
| 4 people | $33,000 | $52,000 | $83,200 |
| 5 people | $38,680 | $56,200 | $89,900 |
| 6 people | $44,360 | $60,350 | $96,550 |
| 7 people | $50,040 | $64,500 | $103,200 |
| 8 people | $55,720 | $68,650 | $109,850 |
Area median income: $104,000. HUD income limits by family size, Fiscal year 2026. Area: Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX HUD Metro FMR Area. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2026
Possible payment standard
- Studio $1,110 – $1,356
- 1 bedroom $1,135 – $1,387
- 2 bedrooms $1,347 – $1,647
- 3 bedrooms $1,815 – $2,219
- 4 bedrooms $2,252 – $2,752
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
- Liberty County Housing Authority Section 8 vouchers · 271 vouchers (936) 336-4558 Liberty County Housing Authority: lcha@co.liberty.tx.us
- Housing Authority of the City of Dayton Public housing · 100 public housing units (936) 258-5372 Housing Authority of the City of Dayton: daytonhousing@outlook.com
- Housing Authority of Cleveland Public housing · 70 public housing units (281) 593-1159 Housing Authority of Cleveland: alicekay577@yahoo.com
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 Liberty County
These are the nearest HUD-approved agencies. They counsel for free or at low cost.
-
Nid-Hca Dightman
113 N Avenue H, Humble · 27 miles away · Spanish
- Mortgage delinquency and default
- Budget and financial counseling
- and 8 more
-
Fifth-Ward Community Redevelopment Corp.
4300 Lyons Ave Ste 300, Houston · 40 miles away · Spanish
- Mortgage delinquency and default
- Budget and financial counseling
- and 7 more
Rental assistance programs
The ones that serve in Liberty 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 Liberty 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
$2,994
What you need before you get the keys.
What adds up
- First month
- $1,497
- Security deposit
- $1,497
- Total
- $2,994
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 Liberty County?
According to HUD (Fiscal year 2027): Studio: $1,233; 1 bedroom: $1,261; 2 bedrooms: $1,497; 3 bedrooms: $2,017; 4 bedrooms: $2,502. It covers rent plus basic utilities, except the phone.
How much do you need to earn to rent in Liberty County?
Paying the 2-bedroom fair market rent ($1,497) without spending more than 30% of income takes $28.79 an hour full time, or $59,880 a year.
Who qualifies for Section 8 in Liberty County?
Generally, families with very low income: no more than 50% of the area median income. For 4 people, HUD's limit here is $52,000 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 Liberty 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 $1,347 and $1,647 a month. Your agency publishes its figure.
Does the fair market rent change by ZIP code in Liberty County?
For 2 bedrooms they run from $1,020 in 77561 to $1,200 in 77535. 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 Liberty County?
HUD lists 15 properties with homes for low-income households in Liberty 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 Liberty County?
HUD counts rent as a burden when it reaches 30% of income or more. In Liberty County, 54% of renter households are in that position; in Texas, 52%, and nationwide, 51% (Average 2020–2024, Census).