Rent comparison · HUD FY2026

Bay County vs Wayne County

How do Bay County and Wayne County rents compare? A side-by-side FY 2026 HUD Fair Market Rent breakdown, studio through 4-bedroom.

$814
Bay County (1BR)
$1,122
Wayne County (1BR)
−27%
1BR difference

Side-by-side FY 2026 HUD Fair Market Rent comparison. Data from U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

County
Bay County
$814/mo 1BR
Population: 103,752
County
Wayne County
$1,122/mo 1BR
Population: 1,781,641

A 1-bedroom in Bay County is 27% cheaper than Wayne County at the HUD Fair Market Rent level ($814 vs $1,122). Both figures are the 40th percentile of gross rents (utilities included, telephone excluded) set by HUD for the federal fiscal year 2026. Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher payment standards in each area are set between 90% and 110% of these FMR numbers. Source: HUD Fair Market Rents.

How Do Rents Compare By Bedroom?

Bedrooms Bay County Wayne County Difference
Studio $809 $1,009 −$200 (-20%)
1 Bedroom $814 $1,122 −$308 (-27%)
2 Bedroom $1,030 $1,411 −$381 (-27%)
3 Bedroom $1,399 $1,724 −$325 (-19%)
4 Bedroom $1,518 $1,868 −$350 (-19%)

vs US National Average

National average 1BR: $959. Bay County is 15% below the US average. Wayne County is 17% above.

Sources: HUD Fair Market Rents FY 2026. Population and median income from U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).