County FMR · HUD FY2026

Bristol County Fair Market Rent

HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent for Bristol County, MA - 28% above the US average.

$1,230
1-bedroom FMR
$1,527
2-bedroom FMR
+4.5%
YoY change
+28%
vs US avg

The verdict

Bristol is the 1st cheapest of 14 counties in Massachusetts by 2-bedroom FMR; nationally it ranks #440 most expensive of 3,145 HUD counties.

#440
most expensive of 3,145 US counties (2BR)
#1
cheapest of 14 in Massachusetts (2BR)
-32%
vs the state average
$49,200
income to afford it (30% rule)

Software Developers spend the smallest share of income on rent here (9.8%), while Fast Food and Counter Workers spend the most (42.1%); nearby Massachusetts counties range as much as 79% apart in 1-bedroom FMR, so the county line itself can matter for renters comparing options.

FY 2026 HUD Fair Market Rent for Bristol County, MA. Verify with HUD →

The Fair Market Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Bristol County, Massachusetts is $1,230 per month in FY 2026, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). A 2-bedroom costs $1,527/mo and a studio is $1,203/mo. This is 28% higher than the national average of $959 and 32% below the Massachusetts average of $1,796.

Rent increased4.5% from FY 2025 ($1,177), outpacing inflation. A household needs about $49,200/year to stay under the 30% rent-to-income line.

Observed renter burden: 47.6% of the 87,659 renter households counted by ACS paid at least 30% of income in gross rent. This ACS 2023 household measure is distinct from HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent benchmark above.

FY 2026 HUD Fair Market Rents in Massachusetts. Population: 10,563. Population has held roughly steady over the past five years (+3.5%, Census ACS). That's in line with Massachusetts's statewide growth of +2.4% over the same period.

FMR filing desk

Area BRISTOL·COUNTY·MA·MA

Bristol County, MA: $1,230/mo 1BR · #440 of 3145 counties (2BR) · FY2026

  • FMR-AREA MA
  • 1BR-FMR $1,230
  • 2BR-FMR $1,527
  • RANK-MID #440
  • YOY-UP +4.5%
  • VSUS-HIGH +28%
  • VS-ST-LOW -32% MA
  • INC-ROOM 18%
  • POP-SMALL 11K
  • PHOTO-NEAR Suffolk County
  • VOUCH-90-110 $1,107–$1,353
  • FY-2026 FY2026

Photo-finish peer: Suffolk ($1,246 1BR gap)

Read with: Understanding rent burden

Fair Market Rents (2026)

Studio
State avg: $1,696 · US avg: $893
$1,203/mo
↑ 11.3% YoY -29% vs state +35% vs US
1 Bedroom
State avg: $1,796 · US avg: $959
$1,230/mo
↑ 4.5% YoY -32% vs state +28% vs US
2 Bedroom
State avg: $2,261 · US avg: $1,175
$1,527/mo
↑ 5.5% YoY -32% vs state +30% vs US
3 Bedroom
State avg: $2,823 · US avg: $1,525
$1,831/mo
↑ 4.9% YoY -35% vs state +20% vs US
4 Bedroom
State avg: $3,188 · US avg: $1,756
$2,289/mo
↑ 9.6% YoY -28% vs state +30% vs US

Year-over-Year Comparison

Bedrooms FY 2025 FY 2026 Change
Studio $1,081
$1,203
+$122 (+11.3%)
1 Bedroom $1,177
$1,230
+$53 (+4.5%)
2 Bedroom $1,448
$1,527
+$79 (+5.5%)
3 Bedroom $1,745
$1,831
+$86 (+4.9%)
4 Bedroom $2,088
$2,289
+$201 (+9.6%)

Rent Burden Analysis

How much of household income goes to rent in Bristol County. The 30% threshold indicates cost burden.

Studio
17.1%
Affordable
Need $48,120/yr for 30% rule
1 Bedroom
17.5%
Affordable
Need $49,200/yr for 30% rule
2 Bedroom
21.8%
Affordable
Need $61,080/yr for 30% rule
3 Bedroom
26.1%
Affordable
Need $73,240/yr for 30% rule
4 Bedroom
32.6%
Burdened
Need $91,560/yr for 30% rule
How we calculate this

Rent burden = (FMR × 12) ÷ county median household income. Required income = (FMR × 12) ÷ 0.3, the federal 30%-of-gross-income rule HUD uses to define cost burden. Median household income is from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey; FMR is from HUD's FY2026 release. See methodology.

0%100%National avg22%21.8%
Bristol County 2-bedroom rent burden
County median income: $84,198 · National avg burden: 21.7% ·View Massachusetts rent burden →

Where Bristol sits among every US county

2-bedroom Fair Market Rent vs. all 3,145 HUD counties

$1,527 Top 14% higher than 86% of 3,145 counties

$600–$800: 23 counties (1%). Below this entry. $800–$1,000: 1,406 counties (45%). Below this entry. $1,000–$1,200: 723 counties (23%). Below this entry. $1,200–$1,400: 417 counties (13%). Below this entry. $1,400–$1,600: 181 counties (6%). This entry sits in this band. $1,600–$1,800: 172 counties (5%). Above this entry. $1,800–$2,000: 108 counties (3%). Above this entry. $2,000–$2,200: 29 counties (1%). Above this entry. $2,200–$2,400: 40 counties (1%). Above this entry. $2,400–$2,600: 13 counties (0%). Above this entry. $2,600–$2,800: 9 counties (0%). Above this entry. $2,800–$3,000: 15 counties (0%). Above this entry. $3,000–$3,200: 3 counties (0%). Above this entry. $3,200–$3,400: 1 counties (0%). Above this entry. $3,400–$3,600: 1 counties (0%). Above this entry. $3,600–$3,800: 3 counties (0%). Above this entry. $3,800–$4,000: 0 counties (0%). Above this entry. $4,000–$4,200: 0 counties (0%). Above this entry. $4,200–$4,400: 1 counties (0%). Above this entry. This county $600 $4,400 every US county, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $0.2K-wide band; taller bars hold more counties. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Fair Market Rents · FY2026

How Bristol compares on 1-bedroom rent

1-bedroom FMR vs other Massachusetts counties

1BR FMR / mo

What this shows Bristol is highlighted. Nearby Massachusetts counties by 1-bedroom FMR, highest to lowest: Suffolk County ($2,476), Middlesex County ($2,476), Essex County ($2,476), Barnstable County ($1,846), Hampshire County ($1,580), Hampden County ($1,382), Bristol County (this county) ($1,230).

Source U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) As of FY2026

Can Common Jobs Afford Rent Here?

Against a high local FMR of $1,230/mo, which of 15 common occupations still clear the 30% line using Massachusetts BLS wages?

Occupation MA Salary Rent Burden Verdict
Software Developers $150,520 9.8% Affordable
General & Operations Managers $123,850 11.9% Affordable
Registered Nurses $101,970 14.5% Affordable
Accountants & Auditors $96,580 15.3% Affordable
Elementary School Teachers $83,260 17.7% Affordable
Electricians $82,120 18% Affordable
Police & Sheriff's Patrol Officers $78,610 18.8% Affordable
Paralegals & Legal Assistants $74,990 19.7% Affordable
Heavy & Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $60,630 24.3% Affordable
Customer Service Representatives $48,060 30.7% Stretched
Pharmacy Technicians $44,640 33.1% Stretched
Janitors & Cleaners $44,570 33.1% Stretched
Teaching Assistants $37,920 38.9% Stretched
Retail Salespersons $36,320 40.6% Stretched
Fast Food & Counter Workers $35,060 42.1% Stretched
Salaries: BLS OES (Massachusetts) median · 30% = affordable threshold · Try the salary calculator →

Rent Trends (2020–2026)

7-year Fair Market Rent history for Bristol County. Shows how HUD rental rates have changed over time.

Over the 6-year span HUD has tracked for Bristol (FY 2020-2026), the 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent has risen 56.9% overall, from $784 to $1,230. Most of that movement was gradual except for a single sharp jump of +16.4% in FY 2023, well above this county's typical year-to-year change.

$700$800$900$1,000$1,100$1,200$1,300 FY2020FY2021FY2022FY2023FY2024FY2025FY2026 $1,230
Bristol County 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent, FY2020–FY2026
Year Studio 1 BR 2 BR
FY 2026 ↑4.5% $1,203 $1,230 $1,527
FY 2025 ↓2.3% $1,081 $1,177 $1,448
FY 2024 ↑14.7% $1,027 $1,205 $1,463
FY 2023 ↑16.4% $890 $1,051 $1,282
FY 2022 ↑10.4% $809 $903 $1,114
FY 2021 ↑4.3% $777 $818 $1,012
FY 2020 $770 $784 $962
Total change (6yr): +56.9%
Annualized: +7.8%/yr
1 BR: $784 → $1,230

Part of the Providence-Warwick, RI-MA Metro Area

Bristol County is a central county of the Providence-Warwick, RI-MA metropolitan statistical area, alongside 5 other metro-area counties.

Bristol County ranks #6 of 6 counties in this metro area by 1-bedroom FMR. Every county sharing this metro, highest to lowest: Kent County ($1,402), Bristol County ($1,402), Providence County ($1,402), Washington County ($1,402), Newport County ($1,402), Bristol County (this county) ($1,230).

Kent County
1 BR: $1,402/mo
Bristol County
1 BR: $1,402/mo
Providence County
1 BR: $1,402/mo
Washington County
1 BR: $1,402/mo
Newport County
1 BR: $1,402/mo
Bristol County (this county)
1 BR: $1,230/mo

Nationwide peers by 2BR FMR & rent burden

Two PlainRent-derived comparison paths for Bristol County, both outside Massachusetts so the link neighborhoods are not the same-state geography lattice above. Axes stay disjoint: burden peers exclude the FMR peer set.

Similar 2-bedroom FMR

Nearest HUD 2BR Fair Market Rents outside MA (FY2026).

Lancaster County
PA · 2 BR $1,526/mo
Ouray County
CO · 2 BR $1,526/mo
Knox County
ME · 2 BR $1,526/mo
Monroe County
PA · 2 BR $1,529/mo

Similar rent burden

Nearest 2BR FMR as a share of median household income (outside MA).

Raleigh County
WV · 21.8% of income · 2 BR $944/mo
Anderson County
SC · 21.8% of income · 2 BR $1,173/mo
Bennington County
VT · 21.8% of income · 2 BR $1,297/mo
Clay County
AR · 21.8% of income · 2 BR $880/mo

Nearby Counties in Massachusetts

Largest counties by population in Massachusetts

Showing the 8 largest of 13 other counties in Massachusetts.

Suffolk County
1 BR: $2,476/mo Pop: 663,972
Barnstable County
1 BR: $1,846/mo Pop: 49,232
Hampshire County
1 BR: $1,580/mo Pop: 35,472
Hampden County
1 BR: $1,382/mo Pop: 28,510
Middlesex County
1 BR: $2,476/mo Pop: 23,961
Essex County
1 BR: $2,476/mo Pop: 17,277
Plymouth County
1 BR: $1,761/mo Pop: 17,008
Nantucket County
1 BR: $2,425/mo Pop: 14,299
View all counties in Massachusetts →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average rent in Bristol County? ▼
The FY 2026 Fair Market Rent for a 1-bedroom in Bristol County is $1,230 per month. A 2-bedroom is $1,527 and a studio is $1,203.
How does Bristol County rent compare to the national average? ▼
Rent in Bristol County is 28% above the national average. A 1-bedroom here costs $1,230 compared to $959 nationally.
Where does Bristol County rank nationally for Fair Market Rent? ▼
According to HUD's FY 2026 Fair Market Rent schedule, Bristol County's 2-bedroom FMR of $1,527 ranks #440 most expensive among 3,145 HUD counties, placing it in the upper-rent quarter of HUD counties.
What income do I need to afford rent in Bristol County? ▼
Based on the 30% affordability rule, you need an annual income of at least $49,200 ($4,100/month) to afford a 1-bedroom at Fair Market Rent in Bristol County.
Is rent going up or down in Bristol County? ▼
The 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent in Bristol County increased by 4.5% from FY 2025 to FY 2026, going from $1,177 to $1,230.
Which jobs can afford rent in Bristol County? ▼
Based on Massachusetts BLS salary data and the 30% affordability rule, jobs like Software Developers, General and Operations Managers, Registered Nurses can afford a 1-bedroom at $1,230/mo. 9 of 15 common occupations are affordable here.
How much has rent changed in Bristol County over time? ▼
The 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent in Bristol County went from $784 in FY 2020 to $1,230 in FY 2026, a total change of +56.9% over 6 years.
How does Fair Market Rent affect Section 8 vouchers in Bristol County? ▼
In Bristol County, the FY 2026 FMR of $1,230/mo for a 1-bedroom sets the baseline that local housing authorities use for Section 8 payment standards.
What does Fair Market Rent mean for Bristol County? ▼
For Bristol County, it's the specific 40th-percentile rent HUD publishes each year ($1,230/mo for a 1-bedroom in FY 2026).

Disclaimer: This information is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and HUD Fair Market Rents. Consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on this data.

All federal data sources used on this page
  • HUD Fair Market Rents (FMR) - county-level fair-market rent estimates by bedroom count. huduser.gov/datasets/fmr
  • HUD Income Limits - area median income for affordability calculations. huduser.gov/datasets/il
  • HUD Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy (CHAS) - rent burden and housing-cost distribution. huduser.gov/datasets/cp
  • U.S. Census Bureau ACS - county and metro housing characteristics + median rent. census.gov/programs-surveys/acs
  • BLS Consumer Price Index, Rent of Primary Residence - rent inflation by metro. bls.gov/cpi
  • IRS Migration Data (SOI) - interstate migration aggregates affecting county demand. irs.gov/statistics/migration
  • BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics - state-level median wages by occupation, used for job affordability analysis. bls.gov/oes

Every figure on PlainRent is rendered directly from HUD's published Fair Market Rent records, no number is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of FY 2026.