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Renting · Section 8

Data from November 2026

Renting in Ohio County, West Virginia

Ohio County has a HUD fair market rent of $1,009 a month for 2 bedrooms (Fiscal year 2027). Renter households here pay a typical rent of $821 a month (Average 2020–2024). Paying the fair market rent without going over 30% of income takes $19.40 an hour, full time.

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Fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$1,009
a month, HUD, Fiscal year 2027
3% less than in West Virginia
Typical rent
$821
a month, Census, Average 2020–2024
6% less than in West Virginia
Wage needed
$19.40
an hour, 2 bedrooms
Or $40,360 a year, to spend no more than 30% of income on rent.
Rent-burdened households
55%
spend 30% or more of income on rent
12% more than in West Virginia

Source: Fair Market Rents (HUD) Fiscal year 2027 Fair Market Rents (HUD) Source: American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates Average 2020–2024 American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates

Only here

Renting in Ohio County: what sets it apart

What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.

  1. At 66%, Ohio County ranks 3rd among the 55 counties in West Virginia for the lowest homeownership rate.

  2. Nearby, in Brooke County, the typical rent is $645: 21% less than in Ohio County ($821).

  3. Ohio County has the 5th largest share of rent-burdened renters of the 48 counties in West Virginia with this figure (55%).

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 Ohio 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 Ohio County was $853 a month in September 2026: 2.9% more than 12 months ago. It is an index of market listings, not a HUD limit. Zillow data

Fair market rent and wage needed To pay the fair market rent without spending more than 30% of income, working full time (40 hours a week).
Size Fair rent per month Hourly wage Income needed per year
Studio $703 $13.52 $28,120
1 bedroom $822 $15.81 $32,880
2 bedrooms $1,009 $19.40 $40,360
3 bedrooms $1,300 $25.00 $52,000
4 bedrooms $1,436 $27.62 $57,440

HUD area: Wheeling, WV-OH 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 6 ZIP codes in Ohio County (Fiscal year 2027). Type yours to see it.

For 2 bedrooms they run from $1,060 in 26059 to $1,170 in 26074. 6 ZIP codes are above the county's fair market rent ($1,009).

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)

  • 26003 · Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH $1,100$1,420
  • 26003 · Wheeling, WV-OH $1,100$1,420
  • 26059 · Wheeling, WV-OH $1,060$1,370
  • 26060 · Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH $1,160$1,490
  • 26060 · Wheeling, WV-OH $1,160$1,490
  • 26074 · Wheeling, WV-OH $1,170$1,500

Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Fiscal year 2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD)

Rent burden

How many households spend too much

HUD counts rent as a burden when it reaches 30% of income or more. In Ohio County, 55% of renter households are in that position; in West Virginia, 49%, 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.

55%

of renter households spend 30% or more of their income on rent.

6,164 households rent in Ohio County

  • Spend half or more of their income 29%
  • Spend 30% or more, but less than half 26%
  • Spend less than 30% 45%

Compared with the state and the country

  • Ohio 55%
  • West Virginia 49%
  • United States 51%

Low-income apartments

Low-income apartments in Ohio County

HUD lists 31 properties with homes for low-income households in Ohio 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)
13
HUD-assisted
10
public housing
9

1,932 homes in all; 1,816 of them low-income, according to HUD.

  • G.W. Petroplus Towers HUD-assisted 1414 National Rd, Wheeling 26003 161 homes, 160 low-income · For older adults · (304) 242-7509
  • Garden Park Terrace Public housing 1208 Warwood Ave, Wheeling 26003 178 homes, 154 low-income · Run by Housing Authority of the City of Wheeling · Average payment: $292 a month · Average wait: 10 months · (304) 242-4447
  • Brookpark Place Tax credit (LIHTC) · HUD-assisted 1290 National Rd, Wheeling 26003 152 low-income homes · Studio: 36 · 1 bd: 116 · In service since 2020 · For older adults · (304) 242-5065
  • Booker T Washington Plaza Public housing 1030 Chapline St, Wheeling 26003 112 homes, 111 low-income · Run by Housing Authority of the City of Wheeling · Average payment: $266 a month · Average wait: 8 months · (304) 242-4447
  • Luau Manor Public housing 2230 Chapline St, Wheeling 26003 105 homes, 104 low-income · Run by Housing Authority of the City of Wheeling · Average payment: $257 a month · Average wait: 17 months · (304) 242-4447
  • North Park Apartments HUD-assisted 601 Eagle Ct, Wheeling 26003 104 homes, 103 low-income · For families · (304) 232-2880
  • Montani Towers HUD-assisted 940 Market St, Wheeling 26003 101 homes, 100 low-income · For older adults · (304) 233-7353
  • Hil-Dar Public housing 45 1/2 Bishop St, Wheeling 26003 94 low-income homes · Run by Housing Authority of the City of Wheeling · Average payment: $368 a month · Average wait: 9 months · (304) 242-4447
  • Windsor Manor HUD-assisted 1143 Main St, Wheeling 26003 109 homes, 87 low-income · For older adults · (304) 233-4650
  • Riverview Towers Public housing 601 Main St, Wheeling 26003 100 homes, 73 low-income · Run by Housing Authority of the City of Wheeling · Average payment: $308 a month · Average wait: 30 months · (304) 242-4447
  • St. Paul Terrace of Wheeling HUD-assisted 2546 National Rd, Wheeling 26003 64 homes, 63 low-income · For older adults · (304) 242-4760
  • Wheeling Station HUD-assisted 103 Station Ln, Wheeling 26003 61 homes, 60 low-income · For families · (304) 243-1735
  • Canterbury Place Tax credit (LIHTC) 21 12th St, Wheeling 26003 50 low-income homes · 1 bd: 6 · 2 bd: 28 · 3 bd: 16 · In service since 2004 · For families
  • Providence Greene I Tax credit (LIHTC) 8 5th St, Wheeling 26003 50 low-income homes · 1 bd: 12 · 2 bd: 30 · 3 bd: 8 · In service since 2005 · For older adults
  • Providence Greene II Tax credit (LIHTC) 6 5th St, Wheeling 26003 50 low-income homes · 1 bd: 12 · 2 bd: 30 · 3 bd: 8 · In service since 2006 · For older adults
  • Capital Greene Tax credit (LIHTC) 2510 Lincoln Ave, Wheeling 26003 40 low-income homes · 1 bd: 31 · 2 bd: 9 · In service since 2015 · For older adults
  • Labelle Greene Tax credit (LIHTC) 180 Labelle Pl, Wheeling 26003 40 low-income homes · 2 bd: 40 · In service since 2016 · For families
  • Labelle Greene II Tax credit (LIHTC) 177 Labelle Pl, Wheeling 26003 40 low-income homes · 2 bd: 24 · 3 bd: 16 · In service since 2020 · For families
  • Labelle Greene III Tax credit (LIHTC) 31st Street/Wood Street, Wheeling 26003 40 low-income homes · 2 bd: 26 · 3 bd: 14 · In service since 2018 · For families
  • Wheeling Heights Public housing 817 Walters Ave, Wheeling 26003 47 homes, 39 low-income · Run by Housing Authority of the City of Wheeling · Average payment: $348 a month · Average wait: 26 months · (304) 242-4447
  • North Wheeling Hope Phase Vi Tax credit (LIHTC) 101 Main St, Wheeling 26003 39 low-income homes · 1 bd: 6 · 2 bd: 23 · 3 bd: 10 · In service since 2002 · For older adults, people with disabilities, families
  • Glenn View II Townhouses Tax credit (LIHTC) 35 Cerise Ln, Wheeling 26003 32 low-income homes · 2 bd: 20 · 3 bd: 12 · In service since 2016 · For families
  • Wheeling Heights Lower Grandview Hope Phase Vi Tax credit (LIHTC) 808 Walters Ave, Wheeling 26003 28 homes, 27 low-income · 1 bd: 8 · 2 bd: 3 · 3 bd: 16 · 4 bd: 1 · In service since 2004 · For older adults, people with disabilities
  • Historic North Wheeling Public housing 105 Main St, Wheeling 26003 39 homes, 20 low-income · Run by Housing Authority of the City of Wheeling · Average payment: $273 a month · Average wait: 5 months · (304) 242-4447
  • Tucker Rehabilitation HUD-assisted 200 29th St, Wheeling 26003 20 low-income homes · For people with disabilities · (304) 234-3526
  • Jacob Street Apartments Public housing 3321 Jacob St, Wheeling 26003 18 low-income homes · Run by Housing Authority of the City of Wheeling · Average payment: $311 a month · Average wait: 1 month · (304) 242-4447
  • Wheeling Heights Phase II Tax credit (LIHTC) Grandview, Walters, Cherry Street, Wheeling 26003 18 low-income homes · 1 bd: 4 · 2 bd: 14 · In service since 2017 · For families
  • Wheeling Heights II LLC Public housing 818 Grandview St, Wheeling 26003 18 homes, 14 low-income · Run by Housing Authority of the City of Wheeling · Average payment: $365 a month · Average wait: 13 months · Homes at several sites · (304) 242-4447
  • Larkin Apartments HUD-assisted 2344 Chapline St, Wheeling 26003 10 low-income homes · For people with disabilities · (304) 234-3500
  • Russell Nesbitt HUD-assisted 501 N. Main ST., Wheeling 26003 8 low-income homes · For people with disabilities · (304) 234-3531
  • Glenn View Townhouses Tax credit (LIHTC) 136 Cerise Ln, Wheeling 26003 4 homes · In service since 2014 · For families

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 Ohio County

The Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) pays part of your rent on a home you choose. Your public housing agency runs it. 1 agency serves in Ohio County. Here is what the rules say:

The rules, with their source

  1. 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. HUD

  2. 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). 24 CFR §5.603, §982.201(b)

  3. Each year, at least 75% of the families an agency admits from its list must have extremely low income (the 30% column). 24 CFR §982.201(b)(2)

  4. 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. 24 CFR §982.1(a)(3)

  5. When you move in, if the rent is above the payment standard, your share cannot go over 40% of your adjusted monthly income. 24 CFR §982.508

  6. Each agency sets a payment standard for each size. Without asking HUD, it can go from 90% to 110% of the fair market rent. 24 CFR §982.503(b), (c)

Mixed-status families: how assistance is figured
HUD income limits Yearly income of the whole family, before taxes.
People Extremely low (30%) Very low (50%) Low
$16,600 $27,650 $44,200
$21,640 $31,600 $50,500
$27,320 $35,550 $56,800
$33,000 $39,450 $63,100
$38,680 $42,650 $68,150
$44,360 $45,800 $73,200
$48,950 $48,950 $78,250
$52,100 $52,100 $83,300

Area median income: $78,900. HUD income limits by family size, Fiscal year 2026. Area: Wheeling, WV-OH MSA. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2026

How much can you earn? Check your case

Possible payment standard

  • Studio $633 – $773
  • 1 bedroom $740 – $904
  • 2 bedrooms $908 – $1,110
  • 3 bedrooms $1,170 – $1,430
  • 4 bedrooms $1,292 – $1,580

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 agencies in West Virginia Source: HUD, Retrieved November 6, 2026

Your rights as a tenant in West Virginia

What West Virginia law says about deposits, notices and eviction, with the citation for each rule.

See your rights, rule by rule

Compare these rules with other states →

A summary of state law, not legal advice. Cities may have additional rules.

Help

Where to get help with rent in Ohio County

This is the nearest HUD-approved agency. They counsel for free or at low cost.

  • Change, Inc

    3158 West St, Weirton · 21 miles away

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Budget and financial counseling
    • and 3 more
    (304) 797-7733
See every agency in West Virginia Find legal aid (lsc.gov)

Tool

How much cash do you need to move in?

It starts with the 2-bedroom fair market rent in Ohio 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 West Virginia, the average home bill was $155 a month in 2024 (EIA). See electricity and gas costs

Open the full tool

Your move

We use the place's fair market rent and the state's deposit rule.

Adjust advanced details
Deposit and rent in advance
The deposit, in

Let's do the math

Cash to move in

$2,018

What you need before you get the keys.

What adds up

First month
$1,009
Security deposit
$1,009
Total
$2,018

The deposit cap

Pick your state to see whether its law caps the deposit.

Compare each state's rules →

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.
Guide: the security depositGuide: avoiding rental scamsFamily budgetHow much rent can I afford?

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.

Guides

Before you sign

Frequently asked questions

What is the fair market rent in Ohio County?

According to HUD (Fiscal year 2027): Studio: $703; 1 bedroom: $822; 2 bedrooms: $1,009; 3 bedrooms: $1,300; 4 bedrooms: $1,436. It covers rent plus basic utilities, except the phone.

How much do you need to earn to rent in Ohio County?

Paying the 2-bedroom fair market rent ($1,009) without spending more than 30% of income takes $19.40 an hour full time, or $40,360 a year.

Who qualifies for Section 8 in Ohio County?

Generally, families with very low income: no more than 50% of the area median income. For 4 people, HUD's limit here is $39,450 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 Ohio 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 $908 and $1,110 a month. Your agency publishes its figure.

Does the fair market rent change by ZIP code in Ohio County?

For 2 bedrooms they run from $1,060 in 26059 to $1,170 in 26074. 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 Ohio County?

HUD lists 31 properties with homes for low-income households in Ohio 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 Ohio County?

HUD counts rent as a burden when it reaches 30% of income or more. In Ohio County, 55% of renter households are in that position; in West Virginia, 49%, and nationwide, 51% (Average 2020–2024, Census).