Rent comparison · HUD FY2026

Mecklenburg County vs Fairfax County

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

$724
Mecklenburg County (1BR)
$2,015
Fairfax County (1BR)
−64%
1BR difference

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

County
Mecklenburg County
$724/mo 1BR
Population: 30,367
County
Fairfax County
$2,015/mo 1BR
Population: 1,145,354

A 1-bedroom in Mecklenburg County is 64% cheaper than Fairfax County at the HUD Fair Market Rent level ($724 vs $2,015). 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 Mecklenburg County Fairfax County Difference
Studio $719 $1,953 −$1234 (-63%)
1 Bedroom $724 $2,015 −$1291 (-64%)
2 Bedroom $950 $2,246 −$1296 (-58%)
3 Bedroom $1,224 $2,835 −$1611 (-57%)
4 Bedroom $1,258 $3,332 −$2074 (-62%)

vs US National Average

National average 1BR: $959. Mecklenburg County is 25% below the US average. Fairfax County is 110% above.

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