Renting · Section 8
Data from November 2026
Renting in Franklin County, Vermont
Franklin County has a HUD fair market rent of $2,165 a month for 2 bedrooms (Fiscal year 2027). Renter households here pay a typical rent of $1,180 a month (Average 2020–2024). Paying the fair market rent without going over 30% of income takes $41.63 an hour, full time.
Four numbers to start with
- Fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
- $2,165
- a month, HUD, Fiscal year 2027
- 22% more than in Vermont
- Typical rent
- $1,180
- a month, Census, Average 2020–2024
- 4% less than in Vermont
- Wage needed
- $41.63
- an hour, 2 bedrooms
- Or $86,600 a year, to spend no more than 30% of income on rent.
- Rent-burdened households
- 49%
- spend 30% or more of income on rent
- 1% more than in Vermont
Only here
Renting in Franklin County: what sets it apart
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
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Among the neighboring counties, Orleans County has the lowest typical rent ($892), 24% below the $1,180 in Franklin County.
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 Franklin 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 Franklin County was $1,888 a month in September 2026. 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 | $1,550 | $29.81 | $62,000 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,719 | $33.06 | $68,760 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,165 | $41.63 | $86,600 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,733 | $52.56 | $109,320 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,845 | $54.71 | $113,800 |
HUD area: Burlington-South Burlington, VT 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 17 ZIP codes in Franklin County (Fiscal year 2027). Type yours to see it.
For 2 bedrooms they run from $1,930 in 05441 to $2,080 in 05485. No ZIP code is above the county's fair market rent ($2,165).
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)
| 05441 | Burlington-South Burlington, VT | $1,350 | $1,490 | $1,930 | $2,480 | $2,550 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 05447 | Burlington-South Burlington, VT | $1,350 | $1,490 | $1,930 | $2,480 | $2,550 |
| 05448 | Burlington-South Burlington, VT | $1,350 | $1,490 | $1,930 | $2,480 | $2,550 |
| 05450 | Burlington-South Burlington, VT | $1,350 | $1,490 | $1,930 | $2,480 | $2,550 |
| 05454 | Burlington-South Burlington, VT | $1,350 | $1,490 | $1,930 | $2,480 | $2,550 |
| 05455 | Burlington-South Burlington, VT | $1,350 | $1,490 | $1,930 | $2,480 | $2,550 |
| 05457 | Burlington-South Burlington, VT | $1,430 | $1,580 | $1,990 | $2,510 | $2,620 |
| 05459 | Burlington-South Burlington, VT | $1,390 | $1,540 | $1,940 | $2,480 | $2,550 |
| 05471 | Burlington-South Burlington, VT | $1,350 | $1,490 | $1,930 | $2,480 | $2,550 |
| 05471 | Orleans County, VT | $1,350 | $1,490 | $1,930 | $2,480 | $2,550 |
| 05476 | Burlington-South Burlington, VT | $1,350 | $1,490 | $1,930 | $2,480 | $2,550 |
| 05476 | Orleans County, VT | $1,350 | $1,490 | $1,930 | $2,480 | $2,550 |
| 05478 | Burlington-South Burlington, VT | $1,350 | $1,490 | $1,930 | $2,480 | $2,550 |
| 05481 | Burlington-South Burlington, VT | $1,350 | $1,490 | $1,930 | $2,480 | $2,550 |
| 05483 | Burlington-South Burlington, VT | $1,490 | $1,650 | $2,080 | $2,630 | $2,730 |
| 05485 | Burlington-South Burlington, VT | $1,490 | $1,650 | $2,080 | $2,630 | $2,730 |
| 05488 | Burlington-South Burlington, VT | $1,350 | $1,490 | $1,930 | $2,480 | $2,550 |
- 05441 · Burlington-South Burlington, VT $1,930$2,480
- 05447 · Burlington-South Burlington, VT $1,930$2,480
- 05448 · Burlington-South Burlington, VT $1,930$2,480
- 05450 · Burlington-South Burlington, VT $1,930$2,480
- 05454 · Burlington-South Burlington, VT $1,930$2,480
- 05455 · Burlington-South Burlington, VT $1,930$2,480
- 05457 · Burlington-South Burlington, VT $1,990$2,510
- 05459 · Burlington-South Burlington, VT $1,940$2,480
- 05471 · Burlington-South Burlington, VT $1,930$2,480
- 05471 · Orleans County, VT $1,930$2,480
- 05476 · Burlington-South Burlington, VT $1,930$2,480
- 05476 · Orleans County, VT $1,930$2,480
- 05478 · Burlington-South Burlington, VT $1,930$2,480
- 05481 · Burlington-South Burlington, VT $1,930$2,480
- 05483 · Burlington-South Burlington, VT $2,080$2,630
- 05485 · Burlington-South Burlington, VT $2,080$2,630
- 05488 · Burlington-South Burlington, VT $1,930$2,480
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 Franklin County, 49% of renter households are in that position; in Vermont, 48%, 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.
49%
of renter households spend 30% or more of their income on rent.
4,514 households rent in Franklin County
- Spend half or more of their income 28%
- Spend 30% or more, but less than half 21%
- Spend less than 30% 51%
Compared with the state and the country
- Franklin 49%
- Vermont 48%
- United States 51%
Low-income apartments
Low-income apartments in Franklin County
HUD lists 34 properties with homes for low-income households in Franklin County: tax-credit apartments (LIHTC) and HUD-assisted buildings. They run from the most low-income homes to the fewest.
- with tax credits (LIHTC)
- 21
- HUD-assisted
- 13
813 homes in all; 729 of them low-income, according to HUD.
- Hawk's Nest Elderly Housing Tax credit (LIHTC) 110 Hawks Nest, St Albans 66 homes, 57 low-income · 1 bd: 44 · 2 bd: 22 · In service since 2005 · For older adults
- Four Winds Housing Tax credit (LIHTC) 145 N Elm St, St Albans 44 homes, 43 low-income · 1 bd: 44 · In service since 2008 · For older adults
- Hillcrest Views / Maple ST Phase II Tax credit (LIHTC) 7 Clyde Allen Dr, St Albans 38 homes, 37 low-income · 2 bd: 38 · In service since 2000 · For families
- Brookside I - ST Albans Tax credit (LIHTC) 5 Victoria Ln, St Albans 37 low-income homes · 1 bd: 13 · 2 bd: 22 · 3 bd: 2 · In service since 2010 · For families
- BETH-EL Court HUD-assisted 153 Federal St, Saint Albans 05478 32 low-income homes · For older adults
- Lake Street Apartments HUD-assisted 251 Lake St, Saint Albans 05478 31 low-income homes · For older adults · (802) 775-1100
- River Bend Tax credit (LIHTC) 324 School St, Enosburg 30 low-income homes · 1 bd: 26 · 2 bd: 4 · In service since 2010 · For older adults
- River Bend Apartments HUD-assisted 324 School St, Enosburg Falls 05450 30 low-income homes · For older adults
- Rail City Family Housing Tax credit (LIHTC) 101 Fairfield St, St Albans 31 homes, 28 low-income · Studio: 1 · 1 bd: 4 · 2 bd: 10 · 3 bd: 14 · 4 bd: 2 · In service since 2014 · For families
- Heritage Lane HUD-assisted 80 S Main St, Saint Albans 05478 28 low-income homes · For older adults
- Enosburg Falls Downtown Redevelopment Tax credit (LIHTC) 371 Main St N, Enosburg Falls 28 homes, 25 low-income · 1 bd: 23 · 2 bd: 5 · In service since 2007 · For older adults
- Missisquoi Manor Redevelopment Tax credit (LIHTC) 70 Liberty St, Richford 28 homes, 24 low-income · 1 bd: 24 · 2 bd: 4 · In service since 2010 · For older adults
- Willard Mill Housing Tax credit (LIHTC) 25 Stowell St, St Albans 27 homes, 24 low-income · 1 bd: 12 · 2 bd: 13 · 3 bd: 2 · In service since 2007 · For families
- Missisquoi Manor HUD-assisted 70 Liberty St, Richford 05476 24 low-income homes · For older adults
- Pleasant Street Apts Redevelopment Tax credit (LIHTC) 30 Kenneson Dr, Enosburg Falls 24 low-income homes · 1 bd: 8 · 2 bd: 16 · In service since 2009 · For families
- Congress Street Apartments Tax credit (LIHTC) 10 Maiden Ln, Saint Albans 30 homes, 22 low-income · 1 bd: 17 · 2 bd: 13 · In service since 2020 · For families, people experiencing homelessness
- Mountain View Apartments HUD-assisted 11 Mountain View St, Fairfax 05454 20 low-income homes · For older adults
- Swanton Meadows Tax credit (LIHTC) Grand Ave, Swanton 20 low-income homes · 2 bd: 13 · 3 bd: 7 · In service since 1998 · For families
- Franklin Homestead Tax credit (LIHTC) 1111 Homestead DR, Franklin 23 homes, 16 low-income · 1 bd: 19 · 2 bd: 4 · In service since 1993 · For families
- Waugh Opera House Tax credit (LIHTC) 22 N Main St, St Albans 20 homes, 16 low-income · 1 bd: 18 · 2 bd: 2 · In service since 2005 · For families
- Swanton School Tax credit (LIHTC) 31 Church St, Swanton 16 low-income homes · 1 bd: 16 · In service since 2000 · For older adults
- Village Apartments/Swanton Village HUD-assisted 39 Platt St, Swanton 05488 16 low-income homes · For older adults
- Village Green HUD-assisted 8 Church St, Swanton 05488 16 low-income homes · For older adults
- Richford Community Housing Tax credit (LIHTC) 140 Intervale Ave, Richford 15 low-income homes · 1 bd: 6 · 2 bd: 5 · 3 bd: 2 · 4 bd: 2 · In service since 2003 · For older adults, people with disabilities, families
- Blake Commons Tax credit (LIHTC) 8 Blake St, Swanton 16 homes, 14 low-income · 1 bd: 5 · 2 bd: 10 · 3 bd: 1 · In service since 2010 · For families
- Abenaki Acres Tax credit (LIHTC) 1 Bushey St, Swanton 12 low-income homes · 2 bd: 4 · 3 bd: 6 · 4 bd: 2 · In service since 2012 · For families
- Abenaki Acres HUD-assisted 1 Abenaki Acres, Swanton 05488 12 low-income homes · For families
- Lower Welden HUD-assisted 100 Lower Welden St, Saint Albans 05478 12 low-income homes · For families
- Main Street Mill Tax credit (LIHTC) 44 Main St, Richford 12 low-income homes · 1 bd: 8 · 2 bd: 4 · In service since 2007 · For families
- Franklin Carriage House Tax credit (LIHTC) 142 Homestead Dr, Franklin 18 homes, 10 low-income · Studio: 18 · In service since 2001 · For older adults
- Chester Arthur Apartments HUD-assisted RR 1 Box 140-1, Fairfield 05455 8 low-income homes · For older adults
- 20 Congress Street Apartments HUD-assisted 20 Congress St, St Albans 05478 30 homes, 6 low-income · For families
- Butler House Tax credit (LIHTC) 11 Lake St, St Albans 12 homes, 6 low-income · 1 bd: 11 · 2 bd: 1 · In service since 2003 · For families
- Lake Street Apartments HUD-assisted 7 Lake St, Saint Albans 05478 7 homes, 6 low-income · 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 Franklin 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 Franklin County; the state's agencies can help you. 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 | $26,200 | $43,650 | $69,850 |
| 2 people | $29,950 | $49,900 | $79,800 |
| 3 people | $33,700 | $56,150 | $89,800 |
| 4 people | $37,400 | $62,350 | $99,750 |
| 5 people | $40,400 | $67,350 | $107,750 |
| 6 people | $44,360 | $72,350 | $115,750 |
| 7 people | $50,040 | $77,350 | $123,700 |
| 8 people | $55,720 | $82,350 | $131,700 |
Area median income: $123,400. HUD income limits by family size, Fiscal year 2026. Area: Burlington-South Burlington, VT MSA. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2026
Possible payment standard
- Studio $1,395 – $1,705
- 1 bedroom $1,547 – $1,891
- 2 bedrooms $1,949 – $2,382
- 3 bedrooms $2,460 – $3,006
- 4 bedrooms $2,561 – $3,130
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 Franklin 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 Vermont
What Vermont 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?
- 14 days
- 9 V.S.A. §4461(c)
- If I fall behind on rent, what notice must I get?
- 14 days
- 9 V.S.A. §4467(a)
- How much notice ends a month-to-month rental?
- 60 days
- 9 V.S.A. §4467(c)-(e)
- How much notice before a rent increase?
- 60 days
- 9 V.S.A. §4455(b)
- Only a court order can remove you9 V.S.A. §4463
- Protection from retaliation9 V.S.A. §4465(a)
- Protection related to immigration status9 V.S.A. §4503(a)(1)-(2)
Help
Where to get help with rent in Franklin County
These are the nearest HUD-approved agencies. They counsel for free or at low cost.
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Champlain Housing Trust
88 King St, Burlington · 31 miles away
- Mortgage delinquency and default
- Budget and financial counseling
- and 7 more
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Gilman Housing Trust, Inc. DBA Ruraledge
1222 Main St, St Johnsbury · 53 miles away
- Mortgage delinquency and default
- Budget and financial counseling
- and 6 more
Tool
How much cash do you need to move in?
It starts with the 2-bedroom fair market rent in Franklin 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 Vermont, the average home bill was $126 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
$4,330
What you need before you get the keys.
What adds up
- First month
- $2,165
- Security deposit
- $2,165
- Total
- $4,330
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 Franklin County?
According to HUD (Fiscal year 2027): Studio: $1,550; 1 bedroom: $1,719; 2 bedrooms: $2,165; 3 bedrooms: $2,733; 4 bedrooms: $2,845. It covers rent plus basic utilities, except the phone.
How much do you need to earn to rent in Franklin County?
Paying the 2-bedroom fair market rent ($2,165) without spending more than 30% of income takes $41.63 an hour full time, or $86,600 a year.
Who qualifies for Section 8 in Franklin County?
Generally, families with very low income: no more than 50% of the area median income. For 4 people, HUD's limit here is $62,350 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 Franklin 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 $1,949 and $2,382 a month. Your agency publishes its figure.
Does the fair market rent change by ZIP code in Franklin County?
For 2 bedrooms they run from $1,930 in 05441 to $2,080 in 05485. 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 Franklin County?
HUD lists 34 properties with homes for low-income households in Franklin 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 Franklin County?
HUD counts rent as a burden when it reaches 30% of income or more. In Franklin County, 49% of renter households are in that position; in Vermont, 48%, and nationwide, 51% (Average 2020–2024, Census).