North Carolina · HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rents

Rent in Dare County, NC

For Fiscal Year 2026, the official HUD Fair Market Rent for a benchmark 2-bedroom home in Dare County, NC is $1,430 per month ($17,160/year). Under the standard 30% federal housing rule, affording this rent comfortably requires an hourly wage of $27.50/hour ($57,200/year) for a full-time worker, representing 19.3% of the local median household income.

Rental Benchmark Overview

2-Bedroom Benchmark Rent

$1,430$17,160 per year · HUD Fiscal Year 2026
Studio FMR$1,120$22/hr needed
1-Bedroom FMR$1,305$25/hr needed
Housing Wage (2-BR)$27.50per hour · 40 hrs/wk, 52 wks
3-Bedroom FMR$1,821$35/hr needed

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

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

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,430Monthly market rent
Share of gross income19.3%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$57,200To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$2,225At 30% of $88,994
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

Fair Market Rent Schedule & Wage Requirements: Dare 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 Dare County, NC
Bedroom TypeMonthly RentAnnual RentMin. Annual IncomeHourly Wage (40h/wk)
Studio / Efficiency$1,120$13,440$44,800$21.54/hr
1-Bedroom Apartment$1,305$15,660$52,200$25.10/hr
2-Bedroom ApartmentStandard Benchmark$1,430$17,160$57,200$27.50/hr
3-Bedroom Home$1,821$21,852$72,840$35.02/hr
4-Bedroom Home$1,893$22,716$75,720$36.40/hr

See comprehensive cost of living profile for Dare County, NC →

Connect housing costs with earnings, taxes, and price levels across North Carolina:

Frequently Asked Questions About Rent in Dare County, NC

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

For Fiscal Year 2026, the official HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom home in Dare County, NC is $1,430 per month ($17,160 per year).

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

To comfortably afford a 2-bedroom apartment at $1,430/month without exceeding 30% of income on rent, a full-time worker (40 hours/week, 52 weeks/year) must earn at least $27.50 per hour ($57,200/year).

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

Official 2026 HUD rents in Dare County, NC are: Studio: $1,120/mo, 1-Bedroom: $1,305/mo, 2-Bedroom: $1,430/mo, 3-Bedroom: $1,821/mo, and 4-Bedroom: $1,893/mo.

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

At the local Census ACS median household income of $88,994/year ($7,416/month), the benchmark 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent represents 19.3% of monthly income.

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

The federal 30% rule states that housing costs should not exceed 30% of gross household income. For a 2-bedroom rent of $1,430/month, the required minimum annual gross income is calculated as ($1,430 × 12) ÷ 0.30 = $57,200 per year.