Renting · Section 8
Data from November 2026
Renting in Cowlitz County, Washington
Cowlitz County has a HUD fair market rent of $1,398 a month for 2 bedrooms (Fiscal year 2027). Renter households here pay a typical rent of $1,206 a month (Average 2020–2024). Paying the fair market rent without going over 30% of income takes $26.88 an hour, full time.
Four numbers to start with
- Fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
- $1,398
- a month, HUD, Fiscal year 2027
- 32% less than in Washington
- Typical rent
- $1,206
- a month, Census, Average 2020–2024
- 31% less than in Washington
- Wage needed
- $26.88
- an hour, 2 bedrooms
- Or $55,920 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% less than in Washington
Only here
Renting in Cowlitz County: what sets it apart
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
-
Nearby, in Wahkiakum County, the typical rent is $853: 29% less than in Cowlitz County ($1,206).
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 Cowlitz 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 Cowlitz County was $1,417 a month in September 2026: 2.4% 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 | $974 | $18.73 | $38,960 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,124 | $21.62 | $44,960 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,398 | $26.88 | $55,920 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,936 | $37.23 | $77,440 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,337 | $44.94 | $93,480 |
HUD area: Longview-Kelso, WA 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 12 ZIP codes in Cowlitz County (Fiscal year 2027). Type yours to see it.
For 2 bedrooms they run from $1,310 in 98649 to $1,760 in 98674. 11 ZIP codes are above the county's fair market rent ($1,398).
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)
| 98581 | Longview-Kelso, WA | $1,060 | $1,200 | $1,520 | $2,060 | $2,440 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 98603 | Longview-Kelso, WA | $1,140 | $1,260 | $1,500 | $2,060 | $2,490 |
| 98609 | Longview-Kelso, WA | $970 | $1,130 | $1,400 | $1,940 | $2,340 |
| 98611 | Longview-Kelso, WA | $1,040 | $1,250 | $1,510 | $2,090 | $2,520 |
| 98625 | Longview-Kelso, WA | $1,080 | $1,230 | $1,510 | $2,080 | $2,510 |
| 98626 | Longview-Kelso, WA | $970 | $1,130 | $1,400 | $1,940 | $2,340 |
| 98632 | Longview-Kelso, WA | $1,010 | $1,170 | $1,450 | $2,010 | $2,420 |
| 98632 | Wahkiakum County, WA | $1,010 | $1,170 | $1,450 | $2,010 | $2,420 |
| 98645 | Longview-Kelso, WA | $1,040 | $1,250 | $1,510 | $2,090 | $2,520 |
| 98649 | Longview-Kelso, WA | $900 | $1,080 | $1,310 | $1,820 | $2,200 |
| 98674 | Longview-Kelso, WA | $1,420 | $1,510 | $1,760 | $2,430 | $2,930 |
| 98674 | Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $1,420 | $1,510 | $1,760 | $2,430 | $2,930 |
- 98581 · Longview-Kelso, WA $1,520$2,060
- 98603 · Longview-Kelso, WA $1,500$2,060
- 98609 · Longview-Kelso, WA $1,400$1,940
- 98611 · Longview-Kelso, WA $1,510$2,090
- 98625 · Longview-Kelso, WA $1,510$2,080
- 98626 · Longview-Kelso, WA $1,400$1,940
- 98632 · Longview-Kelso, WA $1,450$2,010
- 98632 · Wahkiakum County, WA $1,450$2,010
- 98645 · Longview-Kelso, WA $1,510$2,090
- 98649 · Longview-Kelso, WA $1,310$1,820
- 98674 · Longview-Kelso, WA $1,760$2,430
- 98674 · Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $1,760$2,430
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 Cowlitz County, 49% of renter households are in that position; in Washington, 50%, 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.
14,067 households rent in Cowlitz County
- Spend half or more of their income 25%
- Spend 30% or more, but less than half 24%
- Spend less than 30% 51%
Compared with the state and the country
- Cowlitz 49%
- Washington 50%
- United States 51%
Low-income apartments
Low-income apartments in Cowlitz County
HUD lists 14 properties with homes for low-income households in Cowlitz 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
- 1
834 homes in all; 820 of them low-income, according to HUD.
- Parkland Terrace Apartments Tax credit (LIHTC) · HUD-assisted 3133 Maryland St, Longview 98632 153 low-income homes · 1 bd: 52 · In service since 2006 · For older adults, people with disabilities · (360) 425-0590
- Cowlitz Villa Public housing 73 Cowlitz Villa, Kelso 98626 116 low-income homes · Run by HA City of Kelso · Average payment: $578 a month · Average wait: 30 months · (360) 423-3490
- Westgate Terrace Apartments Tax credit (LIHTC) 2024 Tibbetts Dr, Longview 98632 101 homes, 100 low-income · 1 bd: 100 · 2 bd: 1 · In service since 2006 · For older adults, people with disabilities
- Country Run Apartments Tax credit (LIHTC) 1187 Westside Hwy, Kelso 98626 100 homes, 99 low-income · 2 bd: 59 · 3 bd: 36 · 4 bd: 4 · In service since 2000 · For people with disabilities, families, people experiencing homelessness
- New Westside Terrace Tax credit (LIHTC) 1200 17th Ave, Longview 98632 60 homes, 58 low-income · Studio: 31 · 1 bd: 23 · 2 bd: 6 · In service since 1993 · For older adults
- La Casa de San Juan Diego Tax credit (LIHTC) 125 S Pekin Rd, Woodland 98674 51 homes, 50 low-income · 1 bd: 7 · 2 bd: 19 · 3 bd: 18 · 4 bd: 6 · In service since 2004 · For families
- Woodland Meadows Tax credit (LIHTC) 120 Hillshire Dr, Woodland 98674 51 homes, 50 low-income · 1 bd: 20 · 2 bd: 14 · 3 bd: 9 · 4 bd: 8 · In service since 2006 · For families
- Hemlock Court Tax credit (LIHTC) 1700 Hemlock St, Longview 98632 47 homes, 46 low-income · 1 bd: 47 · In service since 1994 · For older adults
- Lilac Place Apartments Tax credit (LIHTC) 1313 Glenwood St, Woodland 98674 38 homes, 37 low-income · 1 bd: 8 · 2 bd: 24 · 3 bd: 6 · In service since 2015 · For people experiencing homelessness
- Fremont Village HUD-assisted 1416 3rd Ave, Longview 98632 31 low-income homes · For older adults · (360) 577-5913
- Villa San Martin Tax credit (LIHTC) 2623 Abbotsford Loop, Kelso 98626 26 homes, 25 low-income · 1 bd: 2 · 2 bd: 12 · 3 bd: 11 · 4 bd: 1 · In service since 2006 · For families
- Woodland II Family Housing Tax credit (LIHTC) 133 S Pekin Rd, Woodland 98674 26 homes, 25 low-income · 2 bd: 10 · 3 bd: 15 · In service since 2007 · For families
- Cowlitz Terrace Tax credit (LIHTC) 812 S 8th Ave, Kelso 98626 19 homes, 15 low-income · 2 bd: 19 · In service since 1992
- Crescent Terrace HUD-assisted 910 9th Ave, Longview 98632 15 low-income homes · For people with disabilities · (360) 575-9723
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 Cowlitz County
The Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) pays part of your rent on a home you choose. Your public housing agency runs it. 2 agencies serve in Cowlitz 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
-
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
-
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 | $21,900 | $36,500 | $58,350 |
| 2 people | $25,000 | $41,700 | $66,700 |
| 3 people | $28,150 | $46,900 | $75,050 |
| 4 people | $33,000 | $52,100 | $83,350 |
| 5 people | $38,680 | $56,300 | $90,050 |
| 6 people | $44,360 | $60,450 | $96,700 |
| 7 people | $50,040 | $64,650 | $103,400 |
| 8 people | $55,720 | $68,800 | $110,050 |
Area median income: $106,700. HUD income limits by family size, Fiscal year 2026. Area: Longview-Kelso, WA MSA. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2026
Possible payment standard
- Studio $877 – $1,071
- 1 bedroom $1,012 – $1,236
- 2 bedrooms $1,258 – $1,538
- 3 bedrooms $1,742 – $2,130
- 4 bedrooms $2,103 – $2,571
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
- Housing Authority City of Longview Section 8 vouchers · 1,610 vouchers (360) 423-0140 Housing Authority City of Longview: jennifer.westerman@hoswwa.org
- HA City of Kelso Public housing and Section 8 vouchers · 312 vouchers · 116 public housing units (360) 423-3490 HA City of Kelso: jreece@kelsohousing.org
Housing agencies in Washington Source: HUD, Retrieved November 6, 2026
Your rights as a tenant in Washington
What Washington 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
- RCW 59.18.280(1)(a)
- If I fall behind on rent, what notice must I get?
- 14 days
- RCW 59.12.030(3)
- How much notice ends a month-to-month rental?
- 20 days
- RCW 59.18.200(1)(a)
- How much notice before a rent increase?
- 30 or 90 days, depending on the case
- RCW 59.18.140(3)(a)-(b)
- Only a court order can remove youRCW 59.18.290(1)
- Protection from retaliationRCW 59.18.240
- Repair and deduct from the rentRCW 59.18.100(2)
Help
Where to get help with rent in Cowlitz County
HUD lists no counseling agencies near in Cowlitz County. Free legal aid and your housing agency can guide you.
Tool
How much cash do you need to move in?
It starts with the 2-bedroom fair market rent in Cowlitz 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 Washington, the average home bill was $114 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
$2,796
What you need before you get the keys.
What adds up
- First month
- $1,398
- Security deposit
- $1,398
- Total
- $2,796
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 Cowlitz County?
According to HUD (Fiscal year 2027): Studio: $974; 1 bedroom: $1,124; 2 bedrooms: $1,398; 3 bedrooms: $1,936; 4 bedrooms: $2,337. It covers rent plus basic utilities, except the phone.
How much do you need to earn to rent in Cowlitz County?
Paying the 2-bedroom fair market rent ($1,398) without spending more than 30% of income takes $26.88 an hour full time, or $55,920 a year.
Who qualifies for Section 8 in Cowlitz County?
Generally, families with very low income: no more than 50% of the area median income. For 4 people, HUD's limit here is $52,100 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 Cowlitz 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 $1,258 and $1,538 a month. Your agency publishes its figure.
Does the fair market rent change by ZIP code in Cowlitz County?
For 2 bedrooms they run from $1,310 in 98649 to $1,760 in 98674. 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 Cowlitz County?
HUD lists 14 properties with homes for low-income households in Cowlitz 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 Cowlitz County?
HUD counts rent as a burden when it reaches 30% of income or more. In Cowlitz County, 49% of renter households are in that position; in Washington, 50%, and nationwide, 51% (Average 2020–2024, Census).