California · HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rents

Rent in Alameda County, CA

For Fiscal Year 2026, the official HUD Fair Market Rent for a benchmark 2-bedroom home in Alameda County, CA is $2,912 per month ($34,944/year). Under the standard 30% federal housing rule, affording this rent comfortably requires an hourly wage of $56.00/hour ($116,480/year) for a full-time worker, representing 27% of the local median household income.

Rental Benchmark Overview

2-Bedroom Benchmark Rent

$2,912$34,944 per year · HUD Fiscal Year 2026
Studio FMR$2,142$41/hr needed
1-Bedroom FMR$2,385$46/hr needed
Housing Wage (2-BR)$56.00per hour · 40 hrs/wk, 52 wks
3-Bedroom FMR$3,724$72/hr needed

Fair market rent & 30% rule in Alameda County, CA

Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$2,912Monthly market rent
Share of gross income27%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$116,480To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$3,234At 30% of $129,367
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
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Fair Market Rent Schedule & Wage Requirements: Alameda County, CA

Calculations assume standard housing affordability guidelines where shelter costs consume no more than 30% of gross income, based on full-time employment of 2,080 annual working hours.

HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent Schedule and Income Thresholds for Alameda County, CA
Bedroom TypeMonthly RentAnnual RentMin. Annual IncomeHourly Wage (40h/wk)
Studio / Efficiency$2,142$25,704$85,680$41.19/hr
1-Bedroom Apartment$2,385$28,620$95,400$45.87/hr
2-Bedroom ApartmentStandard Benchmark$2,912$34,944$116,480$56.00/hr
3-Bedroom Home$3,724$44,688$148,960$71.62/hr
4-Bedroom Home$4,413$52,956$176,520$84.87/hr

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Frequently Asked Questions About Rent in Alameda County, CA

What is the Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom in Alameda County, CA?

For Fiscal Year 2026, the official HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom home in Alameda County, CA is $2,912 per month ($34,944 per year).

What hourly wage is needed to afford rent in Alameda County, CA?

To comfortably afford a 2-bedroom apartment at $2,912/month without exceeding 30% of income on rent, a full-time worker (40 hours/week, 52 weeks/year) must earn at least $56.00 per hour ($116,480/year).

What are the HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count in Alameda County, CA?

Official 2026 HUD rents in Alameda County, CA are: Studio: $2,142/mo, 1-Bedroom: $2,385/mo, 2-Bedroom: $2,912/mo, 3-Bedroom: $3,724/mo, and 4-Bedroom: $4,413/mo.

How do HUD Fair Market Rents compare to local incomes in Alameda County, CA?

At the local Census ACS median household income of $129,367/year ($10,781/month), the benchmark 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent represents 27% of monthly income.

How is the 30% housing affordability standard calculated in Alameda County, CA?

The federal 30% rule states that housing costs should not exceed 30% of gross household income. For a 2-bedroom rent of $2,912/month, the required minimum annual gross income is calculated as ($2,912 × 12) ÷ 0.30 = $116,480 per year.