California · HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rents

Rent in San Diego County, CA

For Fiscal Year 2026, the official HUD Fair Market Rent for a benchmark 2-bedroom home in San Diego County, CA is $3,001 per month ($36,012/year). Under the standard 30% federal housing rule, affording this rent comfortably requires an hourly wage of $57.71/hour ($120,040/year) for a full-time worker, representing 33.9% of the local median household income.

Rental Benchmark Overview

2-Bedroom Benchmark Rent

$3,001$36,012 per year · HUD Fiscal Year 2026
Studio FMR$2,288$44/hr needed
1-Bedroom FMR$2,459$47/hr needed
Housing Wage (2-BR)$57.71per hour · 40 hrs/wk, 52 wks
3-Bedroom FMR$3,998$77/hr needed

Fair market rent & 30% rule in San Diego County, CA

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

Moderate cost burden (30–50%)
HUD Fair Market Rent$3,001Monthly market rent
Share of gross income33.9%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$120,040To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$2,657At 30% of $106,268
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
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Fair Market Rent Schedule & Wage Requirements: San Diego 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.

HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent Schedule and Income Thresholds for San Diego County, CA
Bedroom TypeMonthly RentAnnual RentMin. Annual IncomeHourly Wage (40h/wk)
Studio / Efficiency$2,288$27,456$91,520$44.00/hr
1-Bedroom Apartment$2,459$29,508$98,360$47.29/hr
2-Bedroom ApartmentStandard Benchmark$3,001$36,012$120,040$57.71/hr
3-Bedroom Home$3,998$47,976$159,920$76.88/hr
4-Bedroom Home$4,845$58,140$193,800$93.17/hr

See comprehensive cost of living profile for San Diego County, CA →

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Frequently Asked Questions About Rent in San Diego County, CA

What is the Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom in San Diego County, CA?

For Fiscal Year 2026, the official HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom home in San Diego County, CA is $3,001 per month ($36,012 per year).

What hourly wage is needed to afford rent in San Diego County, CA?

To comfortably afford a 2-bedroom apartment at $3,001/month without exceeding 30% of income on rent, a full-time worker (40 hours/week, 52 weeks/year) must earn at least $57.71 per hour ($120,040/year).

What are the HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count in San Diego County, CA?

Official 2026 HUD rents in San Diego County, CA are: Studio: $2,288/mo, 1-Bedroom: $2,459/mo, 2-Bedroom: $3,001/mo, 3-Bedroom: $3,998/mo, and 4-Bedroom: $4,845/mo.

How do HUD Fair Market Rents compare to local incomes in San Diego County, CA?

At the local Census ACS median household income of $106,268/year ($8,856/month), the benchmark 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent represents 33.9% of monthly income.

How is the 30% housing affordability standard calculated in San Diego County, CA?

The federal 30% rule states that housing costs should not exceed 30% of gross household income. For a 2-bedroom rent of $3,001/month, the required minimum annual gross income is calculated as ($3,001 × 12) ÷ 0.30 = $120,040 per year.