Rent comparison · HUD FY2026
Howard County vs St. Louis County
How do Howard County and St. Louis County rents compare? A side-by-side FY 2026 HUD Fair Market Rent breakdown, studio through 4-bedroom.
- $796
- Howard County (1BR)
- $995
- St. Louis County (1BR)
- −20%
- 1BR difference
Side-by-side FY 2026 HUD Fair Market Rent comparison. Data from U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
A 1-bedroom in Howard County is 20% cheaper than St. Louis County at the HUD Fair Market Rent level ($796 vs $995). 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 | Howard County | St. Louis County | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $720 | $955 | −$235 (-25%) |
| 1 Bedroom | $796 | $995 | −$199 (-20%) |
| 2 Bedroom | $1,044 | $1,218 | −$174 (-14%) |
| 3 Bedroom | $1,252 | $1,568 | −$316 (-20%) |
| 4 Bedroom | $1,382 | $1,812 | −$430 (-24%) |
vs US National Average
National average 1BR: $959. Howard County is 17% below the US average. St. Louis County is 4% above.
Sources: HUD Fair Market Rents FY 2026. Population and median income from U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).