Rental Benchmark Overview
2-Bedroom Benchmark Rent
$1,451$17,412 per year · HUD Fiscal Year 2026Fair market rent & 30% rule in Cowlitz County, WA
Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.
Fair Market Rent Schedule & Wage Requirements: Cowlitz County, WA
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 | $1,000 | $12,000 | $40,000 | $19.23/hr |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $1,199 | $14,388 | $47,960 | $23.06/hr |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentStandard Benchmark | $1,451 | $17,412 | $58,040 | $27.90/hr |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $2,018 | $24,216 | $80,720 | $38.81/hr |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $2,434 | $29,208 | $97,360 | $46.81/hr |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Rent in Cowlitz County, WA
What is the Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom in Cowlitz County, WA?
For Fiscal Year 2026, the official HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom home in Cowlitz County, WA is $1,451 per month ($17,412 per year).
What hourly wage is needed to afford rent in Cowlitz County, WA?
To comfortably afford a 2-bedroom apartment at $1,451/month without exceeding 30% of income on rent, a full-time worker (40 hours/week, 52 weeks/year) must earn at least $27.90 per hour ($58,040/year).
What are the HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count in Cowlitz County, WA?
Official 2026 HUD rents in Cowlitz County, WA are: Studio: $1,000/mo, 1-Bedroom: $1,199/mo, 2-Bedroom: $1,451/mo, 3-Bedroom: $2,018/mo, and 4-Bedroom: $2,434/mo.
How do HUD Fair Market Rents compare to local incomes in Cowlitz County, WA?
At the local Census ACS median household income of $76,531/year ($6,378/month), the benchmark 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent represents 22.8% of monthly income.
How is the 30% housing affordability standard calculated in Cowlitz County, WA?
The federal 30% rule states that housing costs should not exceed 30% of gross household income. For a 2-bedroom rent of $1,451/month, the required minimum annual gross income is calculated as ($1,451 × 12) ÷ 0.30 = $58,040 per year.