Rental Benchmark Overview
2-Bedroom Benchmark Rent
$866$10,392 per year · HUD Fiscal Year 2026Fair market rent & 30% rule in Bell County, KY
Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.
Fair Market Rent Schedule & Wage Requirements: Bell County, KY
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.
| Bedroom Type | Monthly Rent | Annual Rent | Min. Annual Income | Hourly Wage (40h/wk) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / Efficiency | $597 | $7,164 | $23,880 | $11.48/hr |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $790 | $9,480 | $31,600 | $15.19/hr |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentStandard Benchmark | $866 | $10,392 | $34,640 | $16.65/hr |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $1,133 | $13,596 | $45,320 | $21.79/hr |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $1,294 | $15,528 | $51,760 | $24.88/hr |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Rent in Bell County, KY
What is the Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom in Bell County, KY?
For Fiscal Year 2026, the official HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom home in Bell County, KY is $866 per month ($10,392 per year).
What hourly wage is needed to afford rent in Bell County, KY?
To comfortably afford a 2-bedroom apartment at $866/month without exceeding 30% of income on rent, a full-time worker (40 hours/week, 52 weeks/year) must earn at least $16.65 per hour ($34,640/year).
What are the HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count in Bell County, KY?
Official 2026 HUD rents in Bell County, KY are: Studio: $597/mo, 1-Bedroom: $790/mo, 2-Bedroom: $866/mo, 3-Bedroom: $1,133/mo, and 4-Bedroom: $1,294/mo.
How do HUD Fair Market Rents compare to local incomes in Bell County, KY?
At the local Census ACS median household income of $31,354/year ($2,613/month), the benchmark 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent represents 33.1% of monthly income.
How is the 30% housing affordability standard calculated in Bell County, KY?
The federal 30% rule states that housing costs should not exceed 30% of gross household income. For a 2-bedroom rent of $866/month, the required minimum annual gross income is calculated as ($866 × 12) ÷ 0.30 = $34,640 per year.