County FMR · HUD FY2026

Clay County Fair Market Rent

HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent for Clay County, NC - 1% below the US average.

$948
1-bedroom FMR
$1,039
2-bedroom FMR
+2.9%
YoY change
-1%
vs US avg

The verdict

Clay is the 46th cheapest of 100 counties in North Carolina by 2-bedroom FMR; nationally it ranks #1,541 most expensive of 3,145 HUD counties.

#1,541
most expensive of 3,145 US counties (2BR)
#46
cheapest of 100 in North Carolina (2BR)
-3%
vs the state average
$37,920
income to afford it (30% rule)

Software Developers spend the smallest share of income on rent here (8.7%), while Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary spend the most (40.3%).

FY 2026 HUD Fair Market Rent for Clay County, NC. Verify with HUD →

HUD sets the FY 2026 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent for Clay County, North Carolina at $948 per month - the federal rental-assistance benchmark for this county. A 2-bedroom costs $1,039/mo and a studio is $878/mo. This is 1% lower than the national average of $959 and 3% below the North Carolina average of $981.

Rent increased2.9% from FY 2025 ($921), outpacing inflation. Under the 30% rule, affordability starts near $37,920/year for a 1-bedroom.

Observed renter burden: 39.9% of the 1,017 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 North Carolina. Population: 11,186. Population grew 5.3% over the past five years (Census ACS) - among the faster-growing counties nationally, a trend that typically adds upward pressure on rents. That's in line with North Carolina's statewide growth of +4.2% over the same period.

FMR filing desk

Area CLAY·COUNTY·NC·NC

Clay County, NC: $948/mo 1BR · #1541 of 3145 counties (2BR) · FY2026

  • FMR-AREA NC
  • 1BR-FMR $948
  • 2BR-FMR $1,039
  • RANK-MID #1,541
  • YOY-UP +2.9%
  • VSUS-NEAR -1%
  • VS-ST-NEAR -3% NC
  • INC-MID 21%
  • POP-SMALL 11K
  • PHOTO-NEAR Wake County
  • VOUCH-90-110 $853–$1,043
  • FY-2026 FY2026

Photo-finish peer: Wake ($648 1BR gap)

Read with: How Fair Market Rent works

Fair Market Rents (2026)

Studio
State avg: $932 · US avg: $893
$878/mo
↑ 2.6% YoY -6% vs state -2% vs US
1 Bedroom
State avg: $981 · US avg: $959
$948/mo
↑ 2.9% YoY -3% vs state -1% vs US
2 Bedroom
State avg: $1,161 · US avg: $1,175
$1,039/mo
↑ 1.9% YoY -11% vs state -12% vs US
3 Bedroom
State avg: $1,499 · US avg: $1,525
$1,429/mo
↑ 5.3% YoY -5% vs state -6% vs US
4 Bedroom
State avg: $1,780 · US avg: $1,756
$1,561/mo
↑ 1.8% YoY -12% vs state -11% vs US

Year-over-Year Comparison

Bedrooms FY 2025 FY 2026 Change
Studio $856
$878
+$22 (+2.6%)
1 Bedroom $921
$948
+$27 (+2.9%)
2 Bedroom $1,020
$1,039
+$19 (+1.9%)
3 Bedroom $1,357
$1,429
+$72 (+5.3%)
4 Bedroom $1,533
$1,561
+$28 (+1.8%)

Rent Burden Analysis

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

Studio
19.6%
Affordable
Need $35,120/yr for 30% rule
1 Bedroom
21.2%
Affordable
Need $37,920/yr for 30% rule
2 Bedroom
23.2%
Affordable
Need $41,560/yr for 30% rule
3 Bedroom
32%
Burdened
Need $57,160/yr for 30% rule
4 Bedroom
34.9%
Burdened
Need $62,440/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%23.2%
Clay County 2-bedroom rent burden
County median income: $53,645 · National avg burden: 21.7% ·View North Carolina rent burden →

Where Clay sits among every US county

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

$1,039 higher than 51% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $1,200–$1,400: 417 counties (13%). Above this entry. $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 Clay compares on 1-bedroom rent

1-bedroom FMR vs other North Carolina counties

1BR FMR / mo

What this shows Clay is highlighted. Nearby North Carolina counties by 1-bedroom FMR, highest to lowest: Wake County ($1,596), Mecklenburg County ($1,538), Durham County ($1,507), Guilford County ($1,213), Cumberland County ($1,113), Forsyth County ($1,082), Clay County (this county) ($948).

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

Can Common Jobs Afford Rent Here?

How a 1-bedroom at $948/mo compares to North Carolina salaries for popular occupations (BLS wage data, 30%-of-income rule).

Occupation NC Salary Rent Burden Verdict
Software Developers $131,000 8.7% Affordable
General & Operations Managers $99,190 11.5% Affordable
Registered Nurses $81,860 13.9% Affordable
Accountants & Auditors $80,490 14.1% Affordable
Police & Sheriff's Patrol Officers $58,030 19.6% Affordable
Electricians $54,070 21% Affordable
Heavy & Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $49,580 22.9% Affordable
Elementary School Teachers $49,400 23% Affordable
Paralegals & Legal Assistants $49,390 23% Affordable
Pharmacy Technicians $39,870 28.5% Affordable
Customer Service Representatives $39,530 28.8% Affordable
Janitors & Cleaners $32,630 34.9% Stretched
Retail Salespersons $30,090 37.8% Stretched
Fast Food & Counter Workers $28,760 39.6% Stretched
Teaching Assistants $28,230 40.3% Stretched
Salaries: BLS OES (North Carolina) median · 30% = affordable threshold · Try the salary calculator →

Rent Trends (2020–2026)

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

Over the 6-year span HUD has tracked for Clay (FY 2020-2026), the 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent has risen 53.4% overall, from $618 to $948. The increases have been fairly steady year to year, with no single jump exceeding 11.2% (FY 2025).

$600$700$800$900$1,000 FY2020FY2021FY2022FY2023FY2024FY2025FY2026 $948
Clay County 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent, FY2020–FY2026
Year Studio 1 BR 2 BR
FY 2026 ↑2.9% $878 $948 $1,039
FY 2025 ↑11.2% $856 $921 $1,020
FY 2024 ↑10.8% $775 $828 $930
FY 2023 ↑3.6% $695 $747 $844
FY 2022 ↑8.4% $668 $721 $821
FY 2021 ↑7.6% $661 $665 $788
FY 2020 $614 $618 $754
Total change (6yr): +53.4%
Annualized: +7.4%/yr
1 BR: $618 → $948

Where Clay County Ranks in North Carolina

Clay 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 #46 of 100 counties in North Carolina. Nearest by rank: Duplin County ($980), Harnett County ($980), Polk County ($983), Macon County ($987), Hoke County ($998), Perquimans County ($999), Avery County ($1,005), Wilson County ($1,025), Clay County (this county) ($1,039), Rockingham County ($1,040), Bertie County ($1,044), Lincoln County ($1,054), Pamlico County ($1,077), Alexander County ($1,095), Burke County ($1,095), Caldwell County ($1,095), Catawba County ($1,095).

Duplin County
2 BR: $980/mo
Harnett County
2 BR: $980/mo
Polk County
2 BR: $983/mo
Macon County
2 BR: $987/mo
Hoke County
2 BR: $998/mo
Perquimans County
2 BR: $999/mo
Avery County
2 BR: $1,005/mo
Wilson County
2 BR: $1,025/mo
Clay County (this county)
2 BR: $1,039/mo
Rockingham County
2 BR: $1,040/mo
Bertie County
2 BR: $1,044/mo
Lincoln County
2 BR: $1,054/mo
Pamlico County
2 BR: $1,077/mo
Alexander County
2 BR: $1,095/mo
Burke County
2 BR: $1,095/mo
Caldwell County
2 BR: $1,095/mo
Catawba County
2 BR: $1,095/mo

Nationwide peers by 2BR FMR & rent burden

Two PlainRent-derived comparison paths for Clay County, both outside North Carolina 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 NC (FY2026).

Peoria County
IL · 2 BR $1,039/mo
Tazewell County
IL · 2 BR $1,039/mo
Woodford County
IL · 2 BR $1,039/mo
Charlevoix County
MI · 2 BR $1,039/mo

Similar rent burden

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

Baldwin County
GA · 23.2% of income · 2 BR $1,073/mo
Dawson County
TX · 23.2% of income · 2 BR $1,080/mo
Franklin County
OH · 23.3% of income · 2 BR $1,430/mo
Jefferson County
CO · 23.3% of income · 2 BR $2,089/mo

Nearby Counties in North Carolina

Largest counties by population in North Carolina

Showing the 8 largest of 99 other counties in North Carolina.

Wake County
1 BR: $1,596/mo Pop: 1,132,103
Mecklenburg County
1 BR: $1,538/mo Pop: 1,115,403
Guilford County
1 BR: $1,213/mo Pop: 539,557
Forsyth County
1 BR: $1,082/mo Pop: 383,739
Cumberland County
1 BR: $1,113/mo Pop: 335,207
Durham County
1 BR: $1,507/mo Pop: 325,101
Buncombe County
1 BR: $1,429/mo Pop: 269,449
Union County
1 BR: $1,538/mo Pop: 240,109
View all counties in North Carolina →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average rent in Clay County? ▼
The FY 2026 Fair Market Rent for a 1-bedroom in Clay County is $948 per month. A 2-bedroom is $1,039 and a studio is $878.
How does Clay County rent compare to the national average? ▼
Rent in Clay County is 1% below the national average. A 1-bedroom here costs $948 compared to $959 nationally.
Where does Clay County rank nationally for Fair Market Rent? ▼
According to HUD's FY 2026 Fair Market Rent schedule, Clay County's 2-bedroom FMR of $1,039 ranks #1,541 most expensive among 3,145 HUD counties, placing it in the middle half of HUD counties.
What income do I need to afford rent in Clay County? ▼
Based on the 30% affordability rule, you need an annual income of at least $37,920 ($3,160/month) to afford a 1-bedroom at Fair Market Rent in Clay County.
Is rent going up or down in Clay County? ▼
The 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent in Clay County increased by 2.9% from FY 2025 to FY 2026, going from $921 to $948.
Which jobs can afford rent in Clay County? ▼
Based on North Carolina BLS salary data and the 30% affordability rule, jobs like Software Developers, General and Operations Managers, Registered Nurses can afford a 1-bedroom at $948/mo. 11 of 15 common occupations are affordable here.
How much has rent changed in Clay County over time? ▼
The 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent in Clay County went from $618 in FY 2020 to $948 in FY 2026, a total change of +53.4% over 6 years.
How does Fair Market Rent affect Section 8 vouchers in Clay County? ▼
In Clay County, the FY 2026 FMR of $948/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 Clay County? ▼
For Clay County, it's the specific 40th-percentile rent HUD publishes each year ($948/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.