County FMR · HUD FY2026

Caroline County Fair Market Rent

HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent for Caroline County, MD - 4% above the US average.

$1,001
1-bedroom FMR
$1,314
2-bedroom FMR
+1.4%
YoY change
+4%
vs US avg

The verdict

Caroline is the 8th cheapest of 24 counties in Maryland by 2-bedroom FMR; nationally it ranks #723 most expensive of 3,145 HUD counties.

#723
most expensive of 3,145 US counties (2BR)
#8
cheapest of 24 in Maryland (2BR)
-29%
vs the state average
$40,040
income to afford it (30% rule)

Software Developers spend the smallest share of income on rent here (8.7%), while Fast Food and Counter Workers spend the most (38.5%).

FY 2026 HUD Fair Market Rent for Caroline County, MD. Verify with HUD →

The Fair Market Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Caroline County, Maryland is $1,001 per month in FY 2026, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). A 2-bedroom costs $1,314/mo and a studio is $995/mo. This is 4% higher than the national average of $959 and 29% below the Maryland average of $1,404.

Rent increased1.4% from FY 2025 ($987), roughly tracking inflation. Under the 30% rule, affordability starts near $40,040/year for a 1-bedroom.

Observed renter burden: 51.3% of the 3,428 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 Maryland. Population: 33,320. Population has held roughly steady over the past five years (+1.6%, Census ACS). That's in line with Maryland's statewide growth of +2.8% over the same period.

FMR filing desk

Area CAROLINE·COUNTY·MD·MD

Caroline County, MD: $1,001/mo 1BR · #723 of 3145 counties (2BR) · FY2026

  • FMR-AREA MD
  • 1BR-FMR $1,001
  • 2BR-FMR $1,314
  • RANK-MID #723
  • YOY-FLAT +1.4%
  • VSUS-NEAR +4%
  • VS-ST-LOW -29% MD
  • INC-ROOM 18%
  • POP-SMALL 33K
  • PHOTO-NEAR Montgomery County
  • VOUCH-90-110 $901–$1,101
  • FY-2026 FY2026

Photo-finish peer: Montgomery ($1,014 1BR gap)

Read with: How Fair Market Rent works

Fair Market Rents (2026)

Studio
State avg: $1,314 · US avg: $893
$995/mo
↑ 1.4% YoY -24% vs state +11% vs US
1 Bedroom
State avg: $1,404 · US avg: $959
$1,001/mo
↑ 1.4% YoY -29% vs state +4% vs US
2 Bedroom
State avg: $1,657 · US avg: $1,175
$1,314/mo
↑ 1.5% YoY -21% vs state +12% vs US
3 Bedroom
State avg: $2,133 · US avg: $1,525
$1,642/mo
↓ 2.7% YoY -23% vs state +8% vs US
4 Bedroom
State avg: $2,449 · US avg: $1,756
$2,184/mo
↑ 1.4% YoY -11% vs state +24% vs US

Year-over-Year Comparison

Bedrooms FY 2025 FY 2026 Change
Studio $981
$995
+$14 (+1.4%)
1 Bedroom $987
$1,001
+$14 (+1.4%)
2 Bedroom $1,295
$1,314
+$19 (+1.5%)
3 Bedroom $1,688
$1,642
$-46 (-2.7%)
4 Bedroom $2,153
$2,184
+$31 (+1.4%)

Rent Burden Analysis

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

Studio
18%
Affordable
Need $39,800/yr for 30% rule
1 Bedroom
18.1%
Affordable
Need $40,040/yr for 30% rule
2 Bedroom
23.8%
Affordable
Need $52,560/yr for 30% rule
3 Bedroom
29.7%
Affordable
Need $65,680/yr for 30% rule
4 Bedroom
39.5%
Burdened
Need $87,360/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%23.8%
Caroline County 2-bedroom rent burden
County median income: $66,368 · National avg burden: 21.7% ·View Maryland rent burden →

Where Caroline sits among every US county

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

$1,314 Top 23% higher than 77% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $1,400–$1,600: 181 counties (6%). Above this entry. $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 Caroline compares on 1-bedroom rent

1-bedroom FMR vs other Maryland counties

1BR FMR / mo

What this shows Caroline is highlighted. Nearby Maryland counties by 1-bedroom FMR, highest to lowest: Montgomery County ($2,015), Prince George's County ($2,015), Baltimore County ($1,511), Anne Arundel County ($1,511), Baltimore city ($1,511), Howard County ($1,511), Caroline County (this county) ($1,001).

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

Can Common Jobs Afford Rent Here?

How a 1-bedroom at $1,001/mo compares to Maryland salaries for popular occupations (BLS wage data, 30%-of-income rule).

Occupation MD Salary Rent Burden Verdict
Software Developers $137,890 8.7% Affordable
General & Operations Managers $105,320 11.4% Affordable
Registered Nurses $96,830 12.4% Affordable
Accountants & Auditors $84,890 14.2% Affordable
Police & Sheriff's Patrol Officers $77,440 15.5% Affordable
Elementary School Teachers $74,720 16.1% Affordable
Electricians $65,650 18.3% Affordable
Paralegals & Legal Assistants $63,560 18.9% Affordable
Heavy & Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $57,180 21% Affordable
Pharmacy Technicians $43,100 27.9% Affordable
Customer Service Representatives $40,310 29.8% Affordable
Janitors & Cleaners $36,090 33.3% Stretched
Teaching Assistants $35,700 33.6% Stretched
Retail Salespersons $34,310 35% Stretched
Fast Food & Counter Workers $31,200 38.5% Stretched
Salaries: BLS OES (Maryland) median · 30% = affordable threshold · Try the salary calculator →

Rent Trends (2020–2026)

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

Over the 6-year span HUD has tracked for Caroline (FY 2020-2026), the 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent has risen 36.7% overall, from $732 to $1,001. Most of that movement was gradual except for a single sharp jump of +17.3% in FY 2024, well above this county's typical year-to-year change.

$600$700$800$900$1,000$1,100 FY2020FY2021FY2022FY2023FY2024FY2025FY2026 $1,001
Caroline County 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent, FY2020–FY2026
Year Studio 1 BR 2 BR
FY 2026 ↑1.4% $995 $1,001 $1,314
FY 2025 ↑5.2% $981 $987 $1,295
FY 2024 ↑17.3% $931 $938 $1,232
FY 2023 ↑9.9% $794 $800 $1,052
FY 2022 ↑2.4% $723 $728 $958
FY 2021 ↓2.9% $677 $711 $937
FY 2020 $727 $732 $964
Total change (6yr): +36.7%
Annualized: +5.4%/yr
1 BR: $732 → $1,001

Where Caroline County Ranks in Maryland

Caroline County is not part of any federally-designated metropolitan or micropolitan statistical area -- an independent rental market not administratively tied to a larger urban core. By 2-bedroom FMR, it ranks #8 of 24 counties in Maryland. Nearest by rank: Dorchester County ($1,144), Somerset County ($1,167), Worcester County ($1,194), Kent County ($1,246), Washington County ($1,261), Caroline County (this county) ($1,314), Wicomico County ($1,378), Talbot County ($1,409), Cecil County ($1,810), St. Mary's County ($1,833), Anne Arundel County ($1,857).

Dorchester County
2 BR: $1,144/mo
Somerset County
2 BR: $1,167/mo
Worcester County
2 BR: $1,194/mo
Kent County
2 BR: $1,246/mo
Washington County
2 BR: $1,261/mo
Caroline County (this county)
2 BR: $1,314/mo
Wicomico County
2 BR: $1,378/mo
Talbot County
2 BR: $1,409/mo
Cecil County
2 BR: $1,810/mo
St. Mary's County
2 BR: $1,833/mo
Anne Arundel County
2 BR: $1,857/mo

Nationwide peers by 2BR FMR & rent burden

Two PlainRent-derived comparison paths for Caroline County, both outside Maryland 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 MD (FY2026).

Warren County
VA · 2 BR $1,315/mo
White Pine County
NV · 2 BR $1,315/mo
Southeast Fairbanks Census Area
AK · 2 BR $1,313/mo
Kenai Peninsula Borough
AK · 2 BR $1,312/mo

Similar rent burden

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

Clare County
MI · 23.8% of income · 2 BR $986/mo
Niagara County
NY · 23.8% of income · 2 BR $1,343/mo
Ashley County
AR · 23.7% of income · 2 BR $880/mo
Fairbanks North Star Borough
AK · 23.7% of income · 2 BR $1,676/mo

Nearby Counties in Maryland

Largest counties by population in Maryland

Showing the 8 largest of 23 other counties in Maryland.

Montgomery County
1 BR: $2,015/mo Pop: 1,056,910
Prince George's County
1 BR: $2,015/mo Pop: 957,189
Baltimore County
1 BR: $1,511/mo Pop: 850,737
Anne Arundel County
1 BR: $1,511/mo Pop: 588,109
Baltimore city
1 BR: $1,511/mo Pop: 584,548
Howard County
1 BR: $1,511/mo Pop: 332,011
Frederick County
1 BR: $2,015/mo Pop: 273,829
Harford County
1 BR: $1,511/mo Pop: 261,059
View all counties in Maryland →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average rent in Caroline County? ▼
The FY 2026 Fair Market Rent for a 1-bedroom in Caroline County is $1,001 per month. A 2-bedroom is $1,314 and a studio is $995.
How does Caroline County rent compare to the national average? ▼
Rent in Caroline County is 4% above the national average. A 1-bedroom here costs $1,001 compared to $959 nationally.
Where does Caroline County rank nationally for Fair Market Rent? ▼
According to HUD's FY 2026 Fair Market Rent schedule, Caroline County's 2-bedroom FMR of $1,314 ranks #723 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 Caroline County? ▼
Based on the 30% affordability rule, you need an annual income of at least $40,040 ($3,337/month) to afford a 1-bedroom at Fair Market Rent in Caroline County.
Is rent going up or down in Caroline County? ▼
The 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent in Caroline County increased by 1.4% from FY 2025 to FY 2026, going from $987 to $1,001.
Which jobs can afford rent in Caroline County? ▼
Based on Maryland BLS salary data and the 30% affordability rule, jobs like Software Developers, General and Operations Managers, Registered Nurses can afford a 1-bedroom at $1,001/mo. 11 of 15 common occupations are affordable here.
How much has rent changed in Caroline County over time? ▼
The 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent in Caroline County went from $732 in FY 2020 to $1,001 in FY 2026, a total change of +36.7% over 6 years.
How does Fair Market Rent affect Section 8 vouchers in Caroline County? ▼
In Caroline County, the FY 2026 FMR of $1,001/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 Caroline County? ▼
For Caroline County, it's the specific 40th-percentile rent HUD publishes each year ($1,001/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.