Rent comparison · HUD FY2026
Orange County vs California
How do Orange County and California rents compare? A side-by-side FY 2026 HUD Fair Market Rent breakdown, studio through 4-bedroom.
- $2,746
- Orange County (1BR)
- $1,647
- California (1BR)
- +67%
- 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 Orange County is 67% more expensive than California at the HUD Fair Market Rent level ($2,746 vs $1,647). 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 | Orange County | California | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $2,682 | $1,513 | +$1169 (+77%) |
| 1 Bedroom | $2,746 | $1,647 | +$1099 (+67%) |
| 2 Bedroom | $3,236 | $2,053 | +$1183 (+58%) |
| 3 Bedroom | $4,393 | $2,752 | +$1641 (+60%) |
| 4 Bedroom | $5,246 | $3,165 | +$2081 (+66%) |
vs US National Average
National average 1BR: $959. Orange County is 186% above the US average. California is 72% above.
Sources: HUD Fair Market Rents FY 2026. Population and median income from U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).