Rental Benchmark Overview
2-Bedroom Benchmark Rent
$1,173$14,076 per year · HUD Fiscal Year 2026Fair market rent & 30% rule in Howard County, TX
Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.
Fair Market Rent Schedule & Wage Requirements: Howard County, TX
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 | $918 | $11,016 | $36,720 | $17.65/hr |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $924 | $11,088 | $36,960 | $17.77/hr |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentStandard Benchmark | $1,173 | $14,076 | $46,920 | $22.56/hr |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $1,406 | $16,872 | $56,240 | $27.04/hr |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $1,726 | $20,712 | $69,040 | $33.19/hr |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Rent in Howard County, TX
What is the Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom in Howard County, TX?
For Fiscal Year 2026, the official HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom home in Howard County, TX is $1,173 per month ($14,076 per year).
What hourly wage is needed to afford rent in Howard County, TX?
To comfortably afford a 2-bedroom apartment at $1,173/month without exceeding 30% of income on rent, a full-time worker (40 hours/week, 52 weeks/year) must earn at least $22.56 per hour ($46,920/year).
What are the HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count in Howard County, TX?
Official 2026 HUD rents in Howard County, TX are: Studio: $918/mo, 1-Bedroom: $924/mo, 2-Bedroom: $1,173/mo, 3-Bedroom: $1,406/mo, and 4-Bedroom: $1,726/mo.
How do HUD Fair Market Rents compare to local incomes in Howard County, TX?
At the local Census ACS median household income of $69,649/year ($5,804/month), the benchmark 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent represents 20.2% of monthly income.
How is the 30% housing affordability standard calculated in Howard County, TX?
The federal 30% rule states that housing costs should not exceed 30% of gross household income. For a 2-bedroom rent of $1,173/month, the required minimum annual gross income is calculated as ($1,173 × 12) ÷ 0.30 = $46,920 per year.