Colorado · HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rents

Rent in El Paso County, CO

For Fiscal Year 2026, the official HUD Fair Market Rent for a benchmark 2-bedroom home in El Paso County, CO is $1,735 per month ($20,820/year). Under the standard 30% federal housing rule, affording this rent comfortably requires an hourly wage of $33.37/hour ($69,400/year) for a full-time worker, representing 23% of the local median household income.

Rental Benchmark Overview

2-Bedroom Benchmark Rent

$1,735$20,820 per year · HUD Fiscal Year 2026
Studio FMR$1,196$23/hr needed
1-Bedroom FMR$1,464$28/hr needed
Housing Wage (2-BR)$33.37per hour · 40 hrs/wk, 52 wks
3-Bedroom FMR$2,413$46/hr needed

Fair market rent & 30% rule in El Paso County, CO

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

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,735Monthly market rent
Share of gross income23%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$69,400To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$2,259At 30% of $90,363
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

Fair Market Rent Schedule & Wage Requirements: El Paso County, CO

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 El Paso County, CO
Bedroom TypeMonthly RentAnnual RentMin. Annual IncomeHourly Wage (40h/wk)
Studio / Efficiency$1,196$14,352$47,840$23.00/hr
1-Bedroom Apartment$1,464$17,568$58,560$28.15/hr
2-Bedroom ApartmentStandard Benchmark$1,735$20,820$69,400$33.37/hr
3-Bedroom Home$2,413$28,956$96,520$46.40/hr
4-Bedroom Home$2,744$32,928$109,760$52.77/hr

See comprehensive cost of living profile for El Paso County, CO →

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Frequently Asked Questions About Rent in El Paso County, CO

What is the Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom in El Paso County, CO?

For Fiscal Year 2026, the official HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom home in El Paso County, CO is $1,735 per month ($20,820 per year).

What hourly wage is needed to afford rent in El Paso County, CO?

To comfortably afford a 2-bedroom apartment at $1,735/month without exceeding 30% of income on rent, a full-time worker (40 hours/week, 52 weeks/year) must earn at least $33.37 per hour ($69,400/year).

What are the HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count in El Paso County, CO?

Official 2026 HUD rents in El Paso County, CO are: Studio: $1,196/mo, 1-Bedroom: $1,464/mo, 2-Bedroom: $1,735/mo, 3-Bedroom: $2,413/mo, and 4-Bedroom: $2,744/mo.

How do HUD Fair Market Rents compare to local incomes in El Paso County, CO?

At the local Census ACS median household income of $90,363/year ($7,530/month), the benchmark 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent represents 23% of monthly income.

How is the 30% housing affordability standard calculated in El Paso County, CO?

The federal 30% rule states that housing costs should not exceed 30% of gross household income. For a 2-bedroom rent of $1,735/month, the required minimum annual gross income is calculated as ($1,735 × 12) ÷ 0.30 = $69,400 per year.