Georgia · HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rents

Rent in Athens-Clarke County, GA

For Fiscal Year 2026, the official HUD Fair Market Rent for a benchmark 2-bedroom home in Athens-Clarke County, GA is $1,331 per month ($15,972/year). Under the standard 30% federal housing rule, affording this rent comfortably requires an hourly wage of $25.60/hour ($53,240/year) for a full-time worker, representing 30.2% of the local median household income.

Rental Benchmark Overview

2-Bedroom Benchmark Rent

$1,331$15,972 per year · HUD Fiscal Year 2026
Studio FMR$1,159$22/hr needed
1-Bedroom FMR$1,183$23/hr needed
Housing Wage (2-BR)$25.60per hour · 40 hrs/wk, 52 wks
3-Bedroom FMR$1,734$33/hr needed

Fair market rent & 30% rule in Athens-Clarke County, GA

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

Moderate cost burden (30–50%)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,331Monthly market rent
Share of gross income30.2%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$53,240To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,324At 30% of $52,974
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
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Fair Market Rent Schedule & Wage Requirements: Athens-Clarke County, GA

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 Athens-Clarke County, GA
Bedroom TypeMonthly RentAnnual RentMin. Annual IncomeHourly Wage (40h/wk)
Studio / Efficiency$1,159$13,908$46,360$22.29/hr
1-Bedroom Apartment$1,183$14,196$47,320$22.75/hr
2-Bedroom ApartmentStandard Benchmark$1,331$15,972$53,240$25.60/hr
3-Bedroom Home$1,734$20,808$69,360$33.35/hr
4-Bedroom Home$1,831$21,972$73,240$35.21/hr

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Frequently Asked Questions About Rent in Athens-Clarke County, GA

What is the Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom in Athens-Clarke County, GA?

For Fiscal Year 2026, the official HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom home in Athens-Clarke County, GA is $1,331 per month ($15,972 per year).

What hourly wage is needed to afford rent in Athens-Clarke County, GA?

To comfortably afford a 2-bedroom apartment at $1,331/month without exceeding 30% of income on rent, a full-time worker (40 hours/week, 52 weeks/year) must earn at least $25.60 per hour ($53,240/year).

What are the HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count in Athens-Clarke County, GA?

Official 2026 HUD rents in Athens-Clarke County, GA are: Studio: $1,159/mo, 1-Bedroom: $1,183/mo, 2-Bedroom: $1,331/mo, 3-Bedroom: $1,734/mo, and 4-Bedroom: $1,831/mo.

How do HUD Fair Market Rents compare to local incomes in Athens-Clarke County, GA?

At the local Census ACS median household income of $52,974/year ($4,415/month), the benchmark 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent represents 30.2% of monthly income.

How is the 30% housing affordability standard calculated in Athens-Clarke County, GA?

The federal 30% rule states that housing costs should not exceed 30% of gross household income. For a 2-bedroom rent of $1,331/month, the required minimum annual gross income is calculated as ($1,331 × 12) ÷ 0.30 = $53,240 per year.