Rental Benchmark Overview
2-Bedroom Benchmark Rent
$1,734$20,808 per year · HUD Fiscal Year 2026Fair market rent & 30% rule in Hampden County, MA
Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.
Fair Market Rent Schedule & Wage Requirements: Hampden County, MA
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 | $1,219 | $14,628 | $48,760 | $23.44/hr |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $1,382 | $16,584 | $55,280 | $26.58/hr |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentStandard Benchmark | $1,734 | $20,808 | $69,360 | $33.35/hr |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $2,127 | $25,524 | $85,080 | $40.90/hr |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $2,296 | $27,552 | $91,840 | $44.15/hr |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Rent in Hampden County, MA
What is the Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom in Hampden County, MA?
For Fiscal Year 2026, the official HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom home in Hampden County, MA is $1,734 per month ($20,808 per year).
What hourly wage is needed to afford rent in Hampden County, MA?
To comfortably afford a 2-bedroom apartment at $1,734/month without exceeding 30% of income on rent, a full-time worker (40 hours/week, 52 weeks/year) must earn at least $33.35 per hour ($69,360/year).
What are the HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count in Hampden County, MA?
Official 2026 HUD rents in Hampden County, MA are: Studio: $1,219/mo, 1-Bedroom: $1,382/mo, 2-Bedroom: $1,734/mo, 3-Bedroom: $2,127/mo, and 4-Bedroom: $2,296/mo.
How do HUD Fair Market Rents compare to local incomes in Hampden County, MA?
At the local Census ACS median household income of $71,306/year ($5,942/month), the benchmark 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent represents 29.2% of monthly income.
How is the 30% housing affordability standard calculated in Hampden County, MA?
The federal 30% rule states that housing costs should not exceed 30% of gross household income. For a 2-bedroom rent of $1,734/month, the required minimum annual gross income is calculated as ($1,734 × 12) ÷ 0.30 = $69,360 per year.