Tennessee · HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rents

Rent in DeKalb County, TN

For Fiscal Year 2026, the official HUD Fair Market Rent for a benchmark 2-bedroom home in DeKalb County, TN is $953 per month ($11,436/year). Under the standard 30% federal housing rule, affording this rent comfortably requires an hourly wage of $18.33/hour ($38,120/year) for a full-time worker, representing 21.5% of the local median household income.

Rental Benchmark Overview

2-Bedroom Benchmark Rent

$953$11,436 per year · HUD Fiscal Year 2026
Studio FMR$722$14/hr needed
1-Bedroom FMR$726$14/hr needed
Housing Wage (2-BR)$18.33per hour · 40 hrs/wk, 52 wks
3-Bedroom FMR$1,143$22/hr needed

Fair market rent & 30% rule in DeKalb County, TN

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

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$953Monthly market rent
Share of gross income21.5%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$38,120To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,329At 30% of $53,153
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

Fair Market Rent Schedule & Wage Requirements: DeKalb County, TN

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 DeKalb County, TN
Bedroom TypeMonthly RentAnnual RentMin. Annual IncomeHourly Wage (40h/wk)
Studio / Efficiency$722$8,664$28,880$13.88/hr
1-Bedroom Apartment$726$8,712$29,040$13.96/hr
2-Bedroom ApartmentStandard Benchmark$953$11,436$38,120$18.33/hr
3-Bedroom Home$1,143$13,716$45,720$21.98/hr
4-Bedroom Home$1,532$18,384$61,280$29.46/hr

See comprehensive cost of living profile for DeKalb County, TN →

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Rent in DeKalb County, TN

What is the Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom in DeKalb County, TN?

For Fiscal Year 2026, the official HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom home in DeKalb County, TN is $953 per month ($11,436 per year).

What hourly wage is needed to afford rent in DeKalb County, TN?

To comfortably afford a 2-bedroom apartment at $953/month without exceeding 30% of income on rent, a full-time worker (40 hours/week, 52 weeks/year) must earn at least $18.33 per hour ($38,120/year).

What are the HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count in DeKalb County, TN?

Official 2026 HUD rents in DeKalb County, TN are: Studio: $722/mo, 1-Bedroom: $726/mo, 2-Bedroom: $953/mo, 3-Bedroom: $1,143/mo, and 4-Bedroom: $1,532/mo.

How do HUD Fair Market Rents compare to local incomes in DeKalb County, TN?

At the local Census ACS median household income of $53,153/year ($4,429/month), the benchmark 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent represents 21.5% of monthly income.

How is the 30% housing affordability standard calculated in DeKalb County, TN?

The federal 30% rule states that housing costs should not exceed 30% of gross household income. For a 2-bedroom rent of $953/month, the required minimum annual gross income is calculated as ($953 × 12) ÷ 0.30 = $38,120 per year.