Rental Benchmark Overview
2-Bedroom Benchmark Rent
$1,750$21,000 per year · HUD Fiscal Year 2026Fair market rent & 30% rule in Wake County, NC
Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.
Fair Market Rent Schedule & Wage Requirements: Wake County, NC
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 | $1,524 | $18,288 | $60,960 | $29.31/hr |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $1,596 | $19,152 | $63,840 | $30.69/hr |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentStandard Benchmark | $1,750 | $21,000 | $70,000 | $33.65/hr |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $2,196 | $26,352 | $87,840 | $42.23/hr |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $2,936 | $35,232 | $117,440 | $56.46/hr |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Rent in Wake County, NC
What is the Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom in Wake County, NC?
For Fiscal Year 2026, the official HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom home in Wake County, NC is $1,750 per month ($21,000 per year).
What hourly wage is needed to afford rent in Wake County, NC?
To comfortably afford a 2-bedroom apartment at $1,750/month without exceeding 30% of income on rent, a full-time worker (40 hours/week, 52 weeks/year) must earn at least $33.65 per hour ($70,000/year).
What are the HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count in Wake County, NC?
Official 2026 HUD rents in Wake County, NC are: Studio: $1,524/mo, 1-Bedroom: $1,596/mo, 2-Bedroom: $1,750/mo, 3-Bedroom: $2,196/mo, and 4-Bedroom: $2,936/mo.
How do HUD Fair Market Rents compare to local incomes in Wake County, NC?
At the local Census ACS median household income of $105,768/year ($8,814/month), the benchmark 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent represents 19.9% of monthly income.
How is the 30% housing affordability standard calculated in Wake County, NC?
The federal 30% rule states that housing costs should not exceed 30% of gross household income. For a 2-bedroom rent of $1,750/month, the required minimum annual gross income is calculated as ($1,750 × 12) ÷ 0.30 = $70,000 per year.