North Carolina · HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rents

Rent in Wilkes County, NC

For Fiscal Year 2026, the official HUD Fair Market Rent for a benchmark 2-bedroom home in Wilkes County, NC is $925 per month ($11,100/year). Under the standard 30% federal housing rule, affording this rent comfortably requires an hourly wage of $17.79/hour ($37,000/year) for a full-time worker, representing 21.5% of the local median household income.

Rental Benchmark Overview

2-Bedroom Benchmark Rent

$925$11,100 per year · HUD Fiscal Year 2026
Studio FMR$782$15/hr needed
1-Bedroom FMR$793$15/hr needed
Housing Wage (2-BR)$17.79per hour · 40 hrs/wk, 52 wks
3-Bedroom FMR$1,233$24/hr needed

Fair market rent & 30% rule in Wilkes County, NC

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

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$925Monthly market rent
Share of gross income21.5%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$37,000To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,293At 30% of $51,721
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

Fair Market Rent Schedule & Wage Requirements: Wilkes 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.

HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent Schedule and Income Thresholds for Wilkes County, NC
Bedroom TypeMonthly RentAnnual RentMin. Annual IncomeHourly Wage (40h/wk)
Studio / Efficiency$782$9,384$31,280$15.04/hr
1-Bedroom Apartment$793$9,516$31,720$15.25/hr
2-Bedroom ApartmentStandard Benchmark$925$11,100$37,000$17.79/hr
3-Bedroom Home$1,233$14,796$49,320$23.71/hr
4-Bedroom Home$1,538$18,456$61,520$29.58/hr

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Frequently Asked Questions About Rent in Wilkes County, NC

What is the Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom in Wilkes County, NC?

For Fiscal Year 2026, the official HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom home in Wilkes County, NC is $925 per month ($11,100 per year).

What hourly wage is needed to afford rent in Wilkes County, NC?

To comfortably afford a 2-bedroom apartment at $925/month without exceeding 30% of income on rent, a full-time worker (40 hours/week, 52 weeks/year) must earn at least $17.79 per hour ($37,000/year).

What are the HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count in Wilkes County, NC?

Official 2026 HUD rents in Wilkes County, NC are: Studio: $782/mo, 1-Bedroom: $793/mo, 2-Bedroom: $925/mo, 3-Bedroom: $1,233/mo, and 4-Bedroom: $1,538/mo.

How do HUD Fair Market Rents compare to local incomes in Wilkes County, NC?

At the local Census ACS median household income of $51,721/year ($4,310/month), the benchmark 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent represents 21.5% of monthly income.

How is the 30% housing affordability standard calculated in Wilkes County, NC?

The federal 30% rule states that housing costs should not exceed 30% of gross household income. For a 2-bedroom rent of $925/month, the required minimum annual gross income is calculated as ($925 × 12) ÷ 0.30 = $37,000 per year.