Rental Benchmark Overview
2-Bedroom Benchmark Rent
$2,684$32,208 per year · HUD Fiscal Year 2026Fair market rent & 30% rule in Monterey County, CA
Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.
Fair Market Rent Schedule & Wage Requirements: Monterey County, CA
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 | $2,173 | $26,076 | $86,920 | $41.79/hr |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $2,232 | $26,784 | $89,280 | $42.92/hr |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentStandard Benchmark | $2,684 | $32,208 | $107,360 | $51.62/hr |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $3,623 | $43,476 | $144,920 | $69.67/hr |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $3,945 | $47,340 | $157,800 | $75.87/hr |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Rent in Monterey County, CA
What is the Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom in Monterey County, CA?
For Fiscal Year 2026, the official HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom home in Monterey County, CA is $2,684 per month ($32,208 per year).
What hourly wage is needed to afford rent in Monterey County, CA?
To comfortably afford a 2-bedroom apartment at $2,684/month without exceeding 30% of income on rent, a full-time worker (40 hours/week, 52 weeks/year) must earn at least $51.62 per hour ($107,360/year).
What are the HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count in Monterey County, CA?
Official 2026 HUD rents in Monterey County, CA are: Studio: $2,173/mo, 1-Bedroom: $2,232/mo, 2-Bedroom: $2,684/mo, 3-Bedroom: $3,623/mo, and 4-Bedroom: $3,945/mo.
How do HUD Fair Market Rents compare to local incomes in Monterey County, CA?
At the local Census ACS median household income of $97,230/year ($8,103/month), the benchmark 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent represents 33.1% of monthly income.
How is the 30% housing affordability standard calculated in Monterey County, CA?
The federal 30% rule states that housing costs should not exceed 30% of gross household income. For a 2-bedroom rent of $2,684/month, the required minimum annual gross income is calculated as ($2,684 × 12) ÷ 0.30 = $107,360 per year.