Rental Benchmark Overview
2-Bedroom Benchmark Rent
$1,019$12,228 per year · HUD Fiscal Year 2026Fair market rent & 30% rule in St. Joseph County, MI
Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.
Fair Market Rent Schedule & Wage Requirements: St. Joseph County, MI
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 | $721 | $8,652 | $28,840 | $13.87/hr |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $777 | $9,324 | $31,080 | $14.94/hr |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentStandard Benchmark | $1,019 | $12,228 | $40,760 | $19.60/hr |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $1,380 | $16,560 | $55,200 | $26.54/hr |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $1,480 | $17,760 | $59,200 | $28.46/hr |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Rent in St. Joseph County, MI
What is the Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom in St. Joseph County, MI?
For Fiscal Year 2026, the official HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom home in St. Joseph County, MI is $1,019 per month ($12,228 per year).
What hourly wage is needed to afford rent in St. Joseph County, MI?
To comfortably afford a 2-bedroom apartment at $1,019/month without exceeding 30% of income on rent, a full-time worker (40 hours/week, 52 weeks/year) must earn at least $19.60 per hour ($40,760/year).
What are the HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count in St. Joseph County, MI?
Official 2026 HUD rents in St. Joseph County, MI are: Studio: $721/mo, 1-Bedroom: $777/mo, 2-Bedroom: $1,019/mo, 3-Bedroom: $1,380/mo, and 4-Bedroom: $1,480/mo.
How do HUD Fair Market Rents compare to local incomes in St. Joseph County, MI?
At the local Census ACS median household income of $66,425/year ($5,535/month), the benchmark 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent represents 18.4% of monthly income.
How is the 30% housing affordability standard calculated in St. Joseph County, MI?
The federal 30% rule states that housing costs should not exceed 30% of gross household income. For a 2-bedroom rent of $1,019/month, the required minimum annual gross income is calculated as ($1,019 × 12) ÷ 0.30 = $40,760 per year.