County FMR · HUD FY2026
Columbia County Fair Market Rent
HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent for Columbia County, WA - 1% below the US average.
- $951
- 1-bedroom FMR
- $1,052
- 2-bedroom FMR
- +18.0%
- YoY change
- -1%
- vs US avg
The verdict
Columbia is the 5th cheapest of 39 counties in Washington by 2-bedroom FMR; nationally it ranks #1,478 most expensive of 3,145 HUD counties; rent here has climbed 18.0% since FY 2025, a sharp move relative to most counties.
- #1,478
- most expensive of 3,145 US counties (2BR)
- #5
- cheapest of 39 in Washington (2BR)
- -19%
- vs the state average
- $38,040
- income to afford it (30% rule)
Software Developers spend the smallest share of income on rent here (6.8%), while Fast Food and Counter Workers spend the most (31%); 14 of 15 common occupations here can afford a 1-bedroom at Fair Market Rent without exceeding the 30% threshold; nearby Washington counties range as much as 80% apart in 1-bedroom FMR, so the county line itself can matter for renters comparing options.
FY 2026 HUD Fair Market Rent for Columbia County, WA. Verify with HUD →
The Fair Market Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Columbia County, Washington is $951 per month in FY 2026, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). A 2-bedroom costs $1,052/mo and a studio is $738/mo. This is 1% lower than the national average of $959 and 19% below the Washington average of $1,180.
Rent increased18.0% from FY 2025 ($806), outpacing inflation. Under the 30% rule, affordability starts near $38,040/year for a 1-bedroom.
FY 2026 HUD Fair Market Rents in Washington. Population: 3,980. Population has held roughly steady over the past five years (-0.1%, Census ACS). That's slower than Washington's statewide growth of +6.1% over the same period.
What these rents mean for Columbia County
HUD publishes one FMR schedule per FMR area (often the county). Local housing authorities use it as the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher payment-standard baseline. See how FMR is calculated.
According to HUD's FY 2026 Fair Market Rent schedule, Columbia County's 2-bedroom of $1,052 ranks #1,478 most expensive of 3,145 US counties, in the middle half of HUD counties.
Columbia County's 1-bedroom FMR tracks close to the national mid-point (1% below the US average of $959), while sitting 19% below the Washington average of $1,180. Year-over-year, the 1-bedroom FMR moved from$806 in FY 2025 to $951 in FY 2026, a change of +18.0%, which outpaces typical consumer inflation.
At the FY 2026 1-bedroom FMR of $951, the 30% rule points to $38,040/year (about $3,170/month) versus this county's median household income of $71,528. A 2-bedroom at $1,052 pushes the threshold higher.
Fair Market Rents (2026)
Year-over-Year Comparison
| Bedrooms | FY 2025 | FY 2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $724 | $738 | +$14 (+1.9%) |
| 1 Bedroom | $806 | $951 | +$145 (+18.0%) |
| 2 Bedroom | $1,035 | $1,052 | +$17 (+1.6%) |
| 3 Bedroom | $1,450 | $1,463 | +$13 (+0.9%) |
| 4 Bedroom | $1,722 | $1,765 | +$43 (+2.5%) |
Affordability Snapshot
Based on the standard that rent should not exceed 30% of gross income:
Rent Burden Analysis
How much of household income goes to rent in Columbia County. The 30% threshold indicates cost burden.
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.
Where Columbia sits among every US county
2-bedroom Fair Market Rent vs. all 3,145 HUD counties
$1,052 higher than 53% of 3,145 counties
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 Columbia compares on 1-bedroom rent
1-bedroom FMR vs other Washington counties
- King
King County
$2,146 1BR FMR / mo
- Snohomish
Snohomish County
$2,146 1BR FMR / mo
- Thurston
Thurston County
$1,682 1BR FMR / mo
- Clark
Clark County
$1,677 1BR FMR / mo
- Pierce
Pierce County
$1,605 1BR FMR / mo
- Spokane
Spokane County
$1,193 1BR FMR / mo
- Columbia
Columbia County
$951 1BR FMR / mo
What this shows Columbia is highlighted. Nearby Washington counties by 1-bedroom FMR, highest to lowest: King County ($2,146), Snohomish County ($2,146), Thurston County ($1,682), Clark County ($1,677), Pierce County ($1,605), Spokane County ($1,193), Columbia County (this county) ($951).
Can Common Jobs Afford Rent Here?
How a 1-bedroom at $951/mo compares to Washington salaries for popular occupations (BLS wage data, 30%-of-income rule).
| Occupation | WA Salary | Rent Burden | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Developers | $166,910 | 6.8% | Affordable |
| General & Operations Managers | $130,240 | 8.8% | Affordable |
| Registered Nurses | $112,180 | 10.2% | Affordable |
| Police & Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $102,640 | 11.1% | Affordable |
| Elementary School Teachers | $99,110 | 11.5% | Affordable |
| Electricians | $96,530 | 11.8% | Affordable |
| Accountants & Auditors | $96,180 | 11.9% | Affordable |
| Paralegals & Legal Assistants | $78,010 | 14.6% | Affordable |
| Heavy & Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $63,760 | 17.9% | Affordable |
| Pharmacy Technicians | $56,140 | 20.3% | Affordable |
| Customer Service Representatives | $49,150 | 23.2% | Affordable |
| Teaching Assistants | $47,210 | 24.2% | Affordable |
| Janitors & Cleaners | $43,720 | 26.1% | Affordable |
| Retail Salespersons | $38,350 | 29.8% | Affordable |
| Fast Food & Counter Workers | $36,820 | 31% | Stretched |
Rent Trends (2020–2026)
7-year Fair Market Rent history for Columbia County. Shows how HUD rental rates have changed over time.
Over the 6-year span HUD has tracked for Columbia (FY 2020-2026), the 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent has risen 25.1% overall, from $760 to $951. The path there hasn't been smooth: year-over-year moves have swung by as much as 18.0% (FY 2026), a volatility pattern that makes single-year comparisons a poor guide to the underlying trend.
| Year | Studio | 1 BR | 2 BR |
|---|---|---|---|
| FY 2026 ↑18.0% | $738 | $951 | $1,052 |
| FY 2025 ↓4.8% | $724 | $806 | $1,035 |
| FY 2024 ↑5.5% | $735 | $847 | $1,085 |
| FY 2023 ↑8.1% | $707 | $803 | $1,057 |
| FY 2022 ↓5.7% | $650 | $743 | $978 |
| FY 2021 ↑3.7% | $685 | $788 | $1,038 |
| FY 2020 | $652 | $760 | $1,001 |
Where Columbia County Ranks in Washington
Columbia 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 #5 of 39 counties in Washington. Nearest by rank: Ferry County ($973), Lincoln County ($1,021), Okanogan County ($1,043), Garfield County ($1,047), Columbia County (this county) ($1,052), Pend Oreille County ($1,099), Stevens County ($1,131), Adams County ($1,133), Pacific County ($1,134), Wahkiakum County ($1,137), Whitman County ($1,169).
Nearby Counties in Washington
Largest counties by population in Washington
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average rent in Columbia County? ▼
How does Columbia County rent compare to the national average? ▼
Where does Columbia County rank nationally for Fair Market Rent? ▼
What income do I need to afford rent in Columbia County? ▼
Is rent going up or down in Columbia County? ▼
Which jobs can afford rent in Columbia County? ▼
How much has rent changed in Columbia County over time? ▼
How does Fair Market Rent affect Section 8 vouchers in Columbia County? ▼
What does Fair Market Rent mean for Columbia County? ▼
What this means for renters
Treat Columbia's FY2026 Fair Market Rent as HUD's affordability benchmark, not a market quote.
- Budget to roughly 30% of income: the FY2026 1-bedroom FMR of $951 implies about $38,040/yr to rent without being cost-burdened. Run your numbers
- Compare this county against nearby metros and states before signing a lease. Compare areas
- See where it sits on the national rent map. View rankings
Fair Market Rent is HUD's 40th-percentile policy benchmark used to set Housing Choice Voucher payment standards. Actual asking rents in Columbia can run higher or lower, and HUD updates FMRs once a year. This page is informational and not financial or relocation advice.
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.
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.