Rental Benchmark Overview
2-Bedroom Benchmark Rent
$1,218$14,616 per year · HUD Fiscal Year 2026Fair market rent & 30% rule in St. Louis city, MO
Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.
Fair Market Rent Schedule & Wage Requirements: St. Louis city, MO
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 | $955 | $11,460 | $38,200 | $18.37/hr |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $995 | $11,940 | $39,800 | $19.13/hr |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentStandard Benchmark | $1,218 | $14,616 | $48,720 | $23.42/hr |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $1,568 | $18,816 | $62,720 | $30.15/hr |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $1,812 | $21,744 | $72,480 | $34.85/hr |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Rent in St. Louis city, MO
What is the Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom in St. Louis city, MO?
For Fiscal Year 2026, the official HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom home in St. Louis city, MO is $1,218 per month ($14,616 per year).
What hourly wage is needed to afford rent in St. Louis city, MO?
To comfortably afford a 2-bedroom apartment at $1,218/month without exceeding 30% of income on rent, a full-time worker (40 hours/week, 52 weeks/year) must earn at least $23.42 per hour ($48,720/year).
What are the HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count in St. Louis city, MO?
Official 2026 HUD rents in St. Louis city, MO are: Studio: $955/mo, 1-Bedroom: $995/mo, 2-Bedroom: $1,218/mo, 3-Bedroom: $1,568/mo, and 4-Bedroom: $1,812/mo.
How do HUD Fair Market Rents compare to local incomes in St. Louis city, MO?
At the local Census ACS median household income of $56,160/year ($4,680/month), the benchmark 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent represents 26% of monthly income.
How is the 30% housing affordability standard calculated in St. Louis city, MO?
The federal 30% rule states that housing costs should not exceed 30% of gross household income. For a 2-bedroom rent of $1,218/month, the required minimum annual gross income is calculated as ($1,218 × 12) ÷ 0.30 = $48,720 per year.