alfreda89 | Who would have thought the Fair Market Rent in Travis County could be reassuring?

HUD publishes annual (it used to be every other year -- now it can be twice a year) stats on the cost of renting in any market in the USA. HUD's figures are what Section 8 housing is based on. Generally, you can't find housing at the price on the list, because either it is crammed full with people who simply cannot find anyplace else to live, or because it is a college town/county, and students have co-oped all inexpensive housing.

According to the latest figures (I'm trying to add the new facts to UniversalLivingWage.org) I am living in a cheaper one bedroom apartment than HUD offers in Austin Metro, a fairly expensive part of Texas to live in. Gotta love the Hill Country -- occasionally, market forces can work in your favor. Since I am income stream-impaired, cheaper is good.

I need even cheaper than I have. Not so good.

http://www.huduser.org/datasets/fmr/fmrs/FY2010_code/2010summary.odn?INPUTNAME=METRO12420M12420*Travis+County&county_select=yes&state_name=Texas&data=2010&statefp=48.0&fmrtype=Final