Rent comparison · HUD FY2026

Lee County vs Wake County

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

$880
Lee County (1BR)
$1,596
Wake County (1BR)
−45%
1BR difference

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

County
Lee County
$880/mo 1BR
Population: 63,560
County
Wake County
$1,596/mo 1BR
Population: 1,132,103

A 1-bedroom in Lee County is 45% cheaper than Wake County at the HUD Fair Market Rent level ($880 vs $1,596). 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 Lee County Wake County Difference
Studio $874 $1,524 −$650 (-43%)
1 Bedroom $880 $1,596 −$716 (-45%)
2 Bedroom $1,136 $1,750 −$614 (-35%)
3 Bedroom $1,362 $2,196 −$834 (-38%)
4 Bedroom $1,715 $2,936 −$1221 (-42%)

vs US National Average

National average 1BR: $959. Lee County is 8% below the US average. Wake County is 66% above.

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