Renting · Section 8
Data from November 2026
Renting in Waller County, Texas
Waller 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 $1,169 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
- $1,169
- a month, Census, Average 2020–2024
- 17% 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
- 47%
- spend 30% or more of income on rent
- 9% less 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 Waller 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 Waller County was $2,212 a month in September 2026: 1.7% less 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 6 ZIP codes in Waller County (Fiscal year 2027). Type yours to see it.
For 2 bedrooms they run from $1,040 in 77446 to $1,480 in 77423. 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)
| 77423 | Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX | $1,220 | $1,250 | $1,480 | $1,990 | $2,470 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 77445 | Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX | $1,040 | $1,060 | $1,260 | $1,700 | $2,110 |
| 77446 | Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX | $860 | $880 | $1,040 | $1,400 | $1,740 |
| 77466 | Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX | $1,190 | $1,220 | $1,460 | $1,960 | $2,430 |
| 77484 | Grimes County, TX | $980 | $1,000 | $1,190 | $1,600 | $1,980 |
| 77484 | Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX | $980 | $1,000 | $1,190 | $1,600 | $1,980 |
- 77423 · Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX $1,480$1,990
- 77445 · Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX $1,260$1,700
- 77446 · Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX $1,040$1,400
- 77466 · Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX $1,460$1,960
- 77484 · Grimes County, TX $1,190$1,600
- 77484 · Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX $1,190$1,600
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 Waller County, 47% 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.
47%
of renter households spend 30% or more of their income on rent.
5,133 households rent in Waller County
- Spend half or more of their income 22%
- Spend 30% or more, but less than half 25%
- Spend less than 30% 53%
Compared with the state and the country
- Waller 47%
- Texas 52%
- United States 51%
Low-income apartments
Low-income apartments in Waller County
HUD lists 9 properties with homes for low-income households in Waller County: tax-credit apartments (LIHTC) and HUD-assisted buildings. They run from the most low-income homes to the fewest.
- with tax credits (LIHTC)
- 9
- HUD-assisted
- 1
495 homes in all; 447 of them low-income, according to HUD.
- Park at Clear Creek Tax credit (LIHTC) 111 Clear Creek St, Hempstead 77445 76 low-income homes · In service since 2000
- Hillside Plaza Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 19610 Fm 362 Rd, Waller 77484 74 low-income homes · 1 bd: 4 · 2 bd: 46 · 3 bd: 24 · In service since 1998
- Pine Meadows Apts (prairie View) Tax credit (LIHTC) 20598 Pine Island Rd, Prairie View 77445 60 low-income homes · In service since 2004
- Willow Chase Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 1845 5th St, Hempstead 77445 57 low-income homes · In service since 2004
- Bayou Bend Apartments Tax credit (LIHTC) 3025 Waller St, Waller 77484 56 low-income homes · 1 bd: 14 · 2 bd: 42 · In service since 2004 · For older adults, people with disabilities, families, people experiencing homelessness
- Willow Springs Apartments Tax credit (LIHTC) · HUD-assisted 4433 5th St, Brookshire 77423 44 low-income homes · 1 bd: 8 · 2 bd: 32 · In service since 1994 · For families · (281) 934-3525
- Green Manor Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 2000 4th St, Hempstead 77445 40 low-income homes · In service since 2004
- Shady Oaks Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 506 Ellen Powell Dr, Hempstead 77445 40 low-income homes · In service since 2005
- Hempstead Gardens Tax credit (LIHTC) 700 Factory Outlet Dr, Hempstead 77445 48 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 Waller 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 Waller 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)
-
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
HUD lists no housing agency with an office in Waller County. You can apply at another agency in your state: you do not have to live where you apply. Source: HUD
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 Waller County
These are the nearest HUD-approved agencies. They counsel for free or at low cost.
-
Chinese Community Center
9800 Town Park Dr, Houston · 33 miles away · Spanish
Also serves in Cantonese, Mandarin Chinese, and Vietnamese.
- Mortgage delinquency and default
- Mortgage delinquency workshops
- and 10 more
-
Money Management International - Houston Call Center
12603 Southwest Fwy Ste 450, Stafford · 35 miles away · Spanish
- Mortgage delinquency and default
- Budget and financial counseling
- and 5 more
-
Money Management International Inc.
12603 Southwest Fwy, Stafford · 35 miles away · Spanish
Also serves in other languages.
- Mortgage delinquency and default
- Budget and financial counseling
- and 5 more
Rental assistance programs
The ones that serve in Waller 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 Waller 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 Waller 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 Waller 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 Waller 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 Waller 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 Waller County?
For 2 bedrooms they run from $1,040 in 77446 to $1,480 in 77423. 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 Waller County?
HUD lists 9 properties with homes for low-income households in Waller 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 Waller County?
HUD counts rent as a burden when it reaches 30% of income or more. In Waller County, 47% of renter households are in that position; in Texas, 52%, and nationwide, 51% (Average 2020–2024, Census).