County FMR · HUD FY2026

Columbus County Fair Market Rent

HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent for Columbus County, NC - 25% below the US average.

$722
1-bedroom FMR
$925
2-bedroom FMR
+1.0%
YoY change
-25%
vs US avg

The verdict

Columbus is the 6th cheapest of 100 counties in North Carolina by 2-bedroom FMR; nationally it ranks #599 most affordable of 3,145 HUD counties.

#599
most affordable of 3,145 US counties (2BR)
#6
cheapest of 100 in North Carolina (2BR)
-26%
vs the state average
$28,880
income to afford it (30% rule)

Software Developers spend the smallest share of income on rent here (6.6%), while Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary spend the most (30.7%); 13 of 15 common occupations here can afford a 1-bedroom at Fair Market Rent without exceeding the 30% threshold.

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

The Fair Market Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Columbus County, North Carolina is $722 per month in FY 2026, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). A 2-bedroom costs $925/mo and a studio is $718/mo. This is 25% lower than the national average of $959 and 26% below the North Carolina average of $981.

Rent increased1.0% from FY 2025 ($715), roughly tracking inflation. The 30% affordability floor is comparatively reachable here at $28,880/year.

Observed renter burden: 35.4% of the 5,334 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: 50,827. Population declined 10.4% over the past five years (Census ACS), a trend that can ease rental-market pressure over time even as FMR reflects recent rent levels. That's slower than North Carolina's statewide growth of +4.2% over the same period.

FMR filing desk

Area COLUMBUS·COUNTY·NC·NC

Columbus County, NC: $722/mo 1BR · #599 of 3145 counties (2BR) · FY2026

  • FMR-AREA NC
  • 1BR-FMR $722
  • 2BR-FMR $925
  • RANK-MID #599
  • YOY-FLAT +1.0%
  • VSUS-BELOW -25%
  • VS-ST-LOW -26% NC
  • INC-ROOM 18%
  • POP-MID 51K
  • PHOTO-NEAR Wake County
  • VOUCH-90-110 $650–$794
  • FY-2026 FY2026

Photo-finish peer: Wake ($874 1BR gap)

Read with: Section 8 housing guide

Fair Market Rents (2026)

Studio
State avg: $932 · US avg: $893
$718/mo
↑ 1.1% YoY -23% vs state -20% vs US
1 Bedroom
State avg: $981 · US avg: $959
$722/mo
↑ 1.0% YoY -26% vs state -25% vs US
2 Bedroom
State avg: $1,161 · US avg: $1,175
$925/mo
↓ 1.4% YoY -20% vs state -21% vs US
3 Bedroom
State avg: $1,499 · US avg: $1,525
$1,109/mo
↓ 1.9% YoY -26% vs state -27% vs US
4 Bedroom
State avg: $1,780 · US avg: $1,756
$1,225/mo
↓ 1.5% YoY -31% vs state -30% vs US

Year-over-Year Comparison

Bedrooms FY 2025 FY 2026 Change
Studio $710
$718
+$8 (+1.1%)
1 Bedroom $715
$722
+$7 (+1.0%)
2 Bedroom $938
$925
$-13 (-1.4%)
3 Bedroom $1,130
$1,109
$-21 (-1.9%)
4 Bedroom $1,244
$1,225
$-19 (-1.5%)

Rent Burden Analysis

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

Studio
17.9%
Affordable
Need $28,720/yr for 30% rule
1 Bedroom
18%
Affordable
Need $28,880/yr for 30% rule
2 Bedroom
23%
Affordable
Need $37,000/yr for 30% rule
3 Bedroom
27.6%
Affordable
Need $44,360/yr for 30% rule
4 Bedroom
30.5%
Burdened
Need $49,000/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%
Columbus County 2-bedroom rent burden
County median income: $48,184 · National avg burden: 21.7% ·View North Carolina rent burden →

Where Columbus sits among every US county

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

$925 higher than 19% of 3,145 counties

$600–$800: 23 counties (1%). Below this entry. $800–$1,000: 1,406 counties (45%). This entry sits in this band. $1,000–$1,200: 723 counties (23%). Above this entry. $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 Columbus compares on 1-bedroom rent

1-bedroom FMR vs other North Carolina counties

1BR FMR / mo

What this shows Columbus 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), Columbus County (this county) ($722).

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

Can Common Jobs Afford Rent Here?

With a below-average 1-bedroom at $722/mo, most of these North Carolina occupations clear, or miss, the 30% affordability line.

Occupation NC Salary Rent Burden Verdict
Software Developers $131,000 6.6% Affordable
General & Operations Managers $99,190 8.7% Affordable
Registered Nurses $81,860 10.6% Affordable
Accountants & Auditors $80,490 10.8% Affordable
Police & Sheriff's Patrol Officers $58,030 14.9% Affordable
Electricians $54,070 16% Affordable
Elementary School Teachers $49,400 17.5% Affordable
Paralegals & Legal Assistants $49,390 17.5% Affordable
Heavy & Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $49,580 17.5% Affordable
Pharmacy Technicians $39,870 21.7% Affordable
Customer Service Representatives $39,530 21.9% Affordable
Janitors & Cleaners $32,630 26.6% Affordable
Retail Salespersons $30,090 28.8% Affordable
Fast Food & Counter Workers $28,760 30.1% Stretched
Teaching Assistants $28,230 30.7% 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 Columbus County. Shows how HUD rental rates have changed over time.

Over the 6-year span HUD has tracked for Columbus (FY 2020-2026), the 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent has risen 36.2% overall, from $530 to $722. The increases have been fairly steady year to year, with no single jump exceeding 11.1% (FY 2024).

$500$550$600$650$700$750 FY2020FY2021FY2022FY2023FY2024FY2025FY2026 $722
Columbus County 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent, FY2020–FY2026
Year Studio 1 BR 2 BR
FY 2026 ↑1.0% $718 $722 $925
FY 2025 ↑9.8% $710 $715 $938
FY 2024 ↑11.1% $647 $651 $856
FY 2023 ↑6.5% $582 $586 $771
FY 2022 ↑0.0% $547 $550 $724
FY 2021 ↑3.8% $547 $550 $693
FY 2020 $527 $530 $671
Total change (6yr): +36.2%
Annualized: +5.3%/yr
1 BR: $530 → $722

Where Columbus County Ranks in North Carolina

Columbus 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 #6 of 100 counties in North Carolina. Nearest by rank: Ashe County ($925), Beaufort County ($925), Bladen County ($925), Caswell County ($925), Cleveland County ($925), Columbus County (this county) ($925), Graham County ($925), Greene County ($925), Halifax County ($925), Hertford County ($925), Jones County ($925), Lenoir County ($925), Martin County ($925), McDowell County ($925).

Ashe County
2 BR: $925/mo
Beaufort County
2 BR: $925/mo
Bladen County
2 BR: $925/mo
Caswell County
2 BR: $925/mo
Cleveland County
2 BR: $925/mo
Columbus County (this county)
2 BR: $925/mo
Graham County
2 BR: $925/mo
Greene County
2 BR: $925/mo
Halifax County
2 BR: $925/mo
Hertford County
2 BR: $925/mo
Jones County
2 BR: $925/mo
Lenoir County
2 BR: $925/mo
Martin County
2 BR: $925/mo
McDowell County
2 BR: $925/mo

Nationwide peers by 2BR FMR & rent burden

Two PlainRent-derived comparison paths for Columbus 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).

Greene County
TN · 2 BR $925/mo
Monroe County
TN · 2 BR $925/mo
Natchitoches Parish
LA · 2 BR $925/mo
Dyer County
TN · 2 BR $925/mo

Similar rent burden

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

Mississippi County
MO · 23% of income · 2 BR $888/mo
Newton County
IN · 23% of income · 2 BR $1,317/mo
Tangipahoa Parish
LA · 23% of income · 2 BR $1,099/mo
Catoosa County
GA · 23% of income · 2 BR $1,390/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 Columbus County? ▼
The FY 2026 Fair Market Rent for a 1-bedroom in Columbus County is $722 per month. A 2-bedroom is $925 and a studio is $718.
How does Columbus County rent compare to the national average? ▼
Rent in Columbus County is 25% below the national average. A 1-bedroom here costs $722 compared to $959 nationally.
Where does Columbus County rank nationally for Fair Market Rent? ▼
According to HUD's FY 2026 Fair Market Rent schedule, Columbus County's 2-bedroom FMR of $925 ranks #599 most affordable among 3,145 HUD counties, placing it in the lower-rent quarter of HUD counties.
What income do I need to afford rent in Columbus County? ▼
Based on the 30% affordability rule, you need an annual income of at least $28,880 ($2,407/month) to afford a 1-bedroom at Fair Market Rent in Columbus County.
Is rent going up or down in Columbus County? ▼
The 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent in Columbus County increased by 1.0% from FY 2025 to FY 2026, going from $715 to $722.
Which jobs can afford rent in Columbus 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 $722/mo. 13 of 15 common occupations are affordable here.
How much has rent changed in Columbus County over time? ▼
The 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent in Columbus County went from $530 in FY 2020 to $722 in FY 2026, a total change of +36.2% over 6 years.
How does Fair Market Rent affect Section 8 vouchers in Columbus County? ▼
In Columbus County, the FY 2026 FMR of $722/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 Columbus County? ▼
For Columbus County, it's the specific 40th-percentile rent HUD publishes each year ($722/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.