Rental Benchmark Overview
2-Bedroom Benchmark Rent
$1,971$23,652 per year · HUD Fiscal Year 2026Fair market rent & 30% rule in Pierce County, WA
Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.
Fair Market Rent Schedule & Wage Requirements: Pierce County, WA
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 | $1,428 | $17,136 | $57,120 | $27.46/hr |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $1,605 | $19,260 | $64,200 | $30.87/hr |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentStandard Benchmark | $1,971 | $23,652 | $78,840 | $37.90/hr |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $2,733 | $32,796 | $109,320 | $52.56/hr |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $3,102 | $37,224 | $124,080 | $59.65/hr |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Rent in Pierce County, WA
What is the Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom in Pierce County, WA?
For Fiscal Year 2026, the official HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom home in Pierce County, WA is $1,971 per month ($23,652 per year).
What hourly wage is needed to afford rent in Pierce County, WA?
To comfortably afford a 2-bedroom apartment at $1,971/month without exceeding 30% of income on rent, a full-time worker (40 hours/week, 52 weeks/year) must earn at least $37.90 per hour ($78,840/year).
What are the HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count in Pierce County, WA?
Official 2026 HUD rents in Pierce County, WA are: Studio: $1,428/mo, 1-Bedroom: $1,605/mo, 2-Bedroom: $1,971/mo, 3-Bedroom: $2,733/mo, and 4-Bedroom: $3,102/mo.
How do HUD Fair Market Rents compare to local incomes in Pierce County, WA?
At the local Census ACS median household income of $99,564/year ($8,297/month), the benchmark 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent represents 23.8% of monthly income.
How is the 30% housing affordability standard calculated in Pierce County, WA?
The federal 30% rule states that housing costs should not exceed 30% of gross household income. For a 2-bedroom rent of $1,971/month, the required minimum annual gross income is calculated as ($1,971 × 12) ÷ 0.30 = $78,840 per year.