Indiana · HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rents

Rent in Lake County, IN

For Fiscal Year 2026, the official HUD Fair Market Rent for a benchmark 2-bedroom home in Lake County, IN is $1,317 per month ($15,804/year). Under the standard 30% federal housing rule, affording this rent comfortably requires an hourly wage of $25.33/hour ($52,680/year) for a full-time worker, representing 22.1% of the local median household income.

Rental Benchmark Overview

2-Bedroom Benchmark Rent

$1,317$15,804 per year · HUD Fiscal Year 2026
Studio FMR$959$18/hr needed
1-Bedroom FMR$1,082$21/hr needed
Housing Wage (2-BR)$25.33per hour · 40 hrs/wk, 52 wks
3-Bedroom FMR$1,612$31/hr needed

Fair market rent & 30% rule in Lake County, IN

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

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,317Monthly market rent
Share of gross income22.1%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$52,680To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,787At 30% of $71,493
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

Fair Market Rent Schedule & Wage Requirements: Lake County, IN

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 Lake County, IN
Bedroom TypeMonthly RentAnnual RentMin. Annual IncomeHourly Wage (40h/wk)
Studio / Efficiency$959$11,508$38,360$18.44/hr
1-Bedroom Apartment$1,082$12,984$43,280$20.81/hr
2-Bedroom ApartmentStandard Benchmark$1,317$15,804$52,680$25.33/hr
3-Bedroom Home$1,612$19,344$64,480$31.00/hr
4-Bedroom Home$1,744$20,928$69,760$33.54/hr

See comprehensive cost of living profile for Lake County, IN →

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Frequently Asked Questions About Rent in Lake County, IN

What is the Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom in Lake County, IN?

For Fiscal Year 2026, the official HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom home in Lake County, IN is $1,317 per month ($15,804 per year).

What hourly wage is needed to afford rent in Lake County, IN?

To comfortably afford a 2-bedroom apartment at $1,317/month without exceeding 30% of income on rent, a full-time worker (40 hours/week, 52 weeks/year) must earn at least $25.33 per hour ($52,680/year).

What are the HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count in Lake County, IN?

Official 2026 HUD rents in Lake County, IN are: Studio: $959/mo, 1-Bedroom: $1,082/mo, 2-Bedroom: $1,317/mo, 3-Bedroom: $1,612/mo, and 4-Bedroom: $1,744/mo.

How do HUD Fair Market Rents compare to local incomes in Lake County, IN?

At the local Census ACS median household income of $71,493/year ($5,958/month), the benchmark 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent represents 22.1% of monthly income.

How is the 30% housing affordability standard calculated in Lake County, IN?

The federal 30% rule states that housing costs should not exceed 30% of gross household income. For a 2-bedroom rent of $1,317/month, the required minimum annual gross income is calculated as ($1,317 × 12) ÷ 0.30 = $52,680 per year.