North Carolina · HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rents

Rent in Chatham County, NC

For Fiscal Year 2026, the official HUD Fair Market Rent for a benchmark 2-bedroom home in Chatham County, NC is $1,711 per month ($20,532/year). Under the standard 30% federal housing rule, affording this rent comfortably requires an hourly wage of $32.90/hour ($68,440/year) for a full-time worker, representing 21.8% of the local median household income.

Rental Benchmark Overview

2-Bedroom Benchmark Rent

$1,711$20,532 per year · HUD Fiscal Year 2026
Studio FMR$1,417$27/hr needed
1-Bedroom FMR$1,507$29/hr needed
Housing Wage (2-BR)$32.90per hour · 40 hrs/wk, 52 wks
3-Bedroom FMR$2,117$41/hr needed

Fair market rent & 30% rule in Chatham County, NC

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

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,711Monthly market rent
Share of gross income21.8%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$68,440To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$2,358At 30% of $94,317
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
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Fair Market Rent Schedule & Wage Requirements: Chatham County, NC

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 Chatham County, NC
Bedroom TypeMonthly RentAnnual RentMin. Annual IncomeHourly Wage (40h/wk)
Studio / Efficiency$1,417$17,004$56,680$27.25/hr
1-Bedroom Apartment$1,507$18,084$60,280$28.98/hr
2-Bedroom ApartmentStandard Benchmark$1,711$20,532$68,440$32.90/hr
3-Bedroom Home$2,117$25,404$84,680$40.71/hr
4-Bedroom Home$2,527$30,324$101,080$48.60/hr

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Frequently Asked Questions About Rent in Chatham County, NC

What is the Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom in Chatham County, NC?

For Fiscal Year 2026, the official HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom home in Chatham County, NC is $1,711 per month ($20,532 per year).

What hourly wage is needed to afford rent in Chatham County, NC?

To comfortably afford a 2-bedroom apartment at $1,711/month without exceeding 30% of income on rent, a full-time worker (40 hours/week, 52 weeks/year) must earn at least $32.90 per hour ($68,440/year).

What are the HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count in Chatham County, NC?

Official 2026 HUD rents in Chatham County, NC are: Studio: $1,417/mo, 1-Bedroom: $1,507/mo, 2-Bedroom: $1,711/mo, 3-Bedroom: $2,117/mo, and 4-Bedroom: $2,527/mo.

How do HUD Fair Market Rents compare to local incomes in Chatham County, NC?

At the local Census ACS median household income of $94,317/year ($7,860/month), the benchmark 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent represents 21.8% of monthly income.

How is the 30% housing affordability standard calculated in Chatham County, NC?

The federal 30% rule states that housing costs should not exceed 30% of gross household income. For a 2-bedroom rent of $1,711/month, the required minimum annual gross income is calculated as ($1,711 × 12) ÷ 0.30 = $68,440 per year.