County FMR · HUD FY2026

Delaware County Fair Market Rent

HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent for Delaware County, PA - 58% above the US average.

$1,520
1-bedroom FMR
$1,810
2-bedroom FMR
+0.5%
YoY change
+58%
vs US avg

The verdict

Delaware is the 3rd most expensive of 67 counties in Pennsylvania by 2-bedroom FMR; nationally it ranks #220 most expensive of 3,145 HUD counties.

#220
most expensive of 3,145 US counties (2BR)
#3
most expensive of 67 in Pennsylvania (2BR)
+53%
vs the state average
$60,800
income to afford it (30% rule)

Software Developers spend the smallest share of income on rent here (14.7%), while Fast Food and Counter Workers spend the most (64%).

FY 2026 HUD Fair Market Rent for Delaware County, PA. Verify with HUD →

HUD sets the FY 2026 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent for Delaware County, Pennsylvania at $1,520 per month - the federal rental-assistance benchmark for this county. A 2-bedroom costs $1,810/mo and a studio is $1,397/mo. This is 58% higher than the national average of $959 and 53% above the Pennsylvania average of $996.

Rent increased0.5% from FY 2025 ($1,512), roughly tracking inflation. Clearing the 30% rule here takes $60,800/year, a high bar relative to most US counties.

FY 2026 HUD Fair Market Rents in Pennsylvania. Population: 575,312. Population has held roughly steady over the past five years (+2.2%, Census ACS). That's in line with Pennsylvania's statewide growth of +1.5% over the same period.

FMR filing desk

Area DELAWARE·COUNTY·PA·PA

Delaware County, PA: $1,520/mo 1BR · #220 of 3145 counties (2BR) · FY2026

  • FMR-AREA PA
  • 1BR-FMR $1,520
  • 2BR-FMR $1,810
  • RANK-UPPER #220
  • YOY-FLAT +0.5%
  • VSUS-HIGH +58%
  • VS-ST-HIGH +53% PA
  • INC-MID 21%
  • POP-MAJOR 575K
  • PHOTO-FINISH Philadelphia Count
  • VOUCH-90-110 $1,368–$1,672
  • FY-2026 FY2026

Photo-finish peer: Philadelphia ($0 1BR gap)

Read with: Understanding rent burden

Fair Market Rents (2026)

Studio
State avg: $900 · US avg: $893
$1,397/mo
↑ 1.8% YoY +55% vs state +56% vs US
1 Bedroom
State avg: $996 · US avg: $959
$1,520/mo
↑ 0.5% YoY +53% vs state +58% vs US
2 Bedroom
State avg: $1,225 · US avg: $1,175
$1,810/mo
↑ 0.4% YoY +48% vs state +54% vs US
3 Bedroom
State avg: $1,570 · US avg: $1,525
$2,170/mo
↓ 0.0% YoY +38% vs state +42% vs US
4 Bedroom
State avg: $1,744 · US avg: $1,756
$2,423/mo
↓ 1.8% YoY +39% vs state +38% vs US

Year-over-Year Comparison

Bedrooms FY 2025 FY 2026 Change
Studio $1,372
$1,397
+$25 (+1.8%)
1 Bedroom $1,512
$1,520
+$8 (+0.5%)
2 Bedroom $1,802
$1,810
+$8 (+0.4%)
3 Bedroom $2,171
$2,170
$-1 (-0.0%)
4 Bedroom $2,468
$2,423
$-45 (-1.8%)

Rent Burden Analysis

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

Studio
18.9%
Affordable
Need $55,880/yr for 30% rule
1 Bedroom
20.6%
Affordable
Need $60,800/yr for 30% rule
2 Bedroom
24.5%
Affordable
Need $72,400/yr for 30% rule
3 Bedroom
29.4%
Affordable
Need $86,800/yr for 30% rule
4 Bedroom
32.8%
Burdened
Need $96,920/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%24.5%
Delaware County 2-bedroom rent burden
County median income: $88,576 · National avg burden: 21.7% ·View Pennsylvania rent burden →

Where Delaware sits among every US county

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

$1,810 Top 7% higher than 93% 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%). Below this entry. $1,600–$1,800: 172 counties (5%). Below this entry. $1,800–$2,000: 108 counties (3%). This entry sits in this band. $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 Delaware compares on 1-bedroom rent

1-bedroom FMR vs other Pennsylvania counties

1BR FMR / mo

What this shows Delaware is highlighted. Nearby Pennsylvania counties by 1-bedroom FMR, highest to lowest: Delaware County (this county) ($1,520), Philadelphia County ($1,520), Montgomery County ($1,520), Bucks County ($1,520), Chester County ($1,520), Lancaster County ($1,220), Allegheny County ($1,077).

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 $1,520/mo, which of 15 common occupations still clear the 30% line using Pennsylvania BLS wages?

Occupation PA Salary Rent Burden Verdict
Software Developers $123,740 14.7% Affordable
General & Operations Managers $100,400 18.2% Affordable
Registered Nurses $87,610 20.8% Affordable
Police & Sheriff's Patrol Officers $86,350 21.1% Affordable
Accountants & Auditors $77,330 23.6% Affordable
Elementary School Teachers $74,160 24.6% Affordable
Electricians $65,400 27.9% Affordable
Paralegals & Legal Assistants $60,950 29.9% Affordable
Heavy & Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $58,540 31.2% Stretched
Customer Service Representatives $43,080 42.3% Stretched
Pharmacy Technicians $37,560 48.6% Stretched
Janitors & Cleaners $35,670 51.1% Unaffordable
Teaching Assistants $30,550 59.7% Unaffordable
Retail Salespersons $30,410 60% Unaffordable
Fast Food & Counter Workers $28,490 64% Unaffordable
Salaries: BLS OES (Pennsylvania) median · 30% = affordable threshold · Try the salary calculator →

Rent Trends (2020–2026)

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

Over the 6-year span HUD has tracked for Delaware (FY 2020-2026), the 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent has risen 50.0% overall, from $1,013 to $1,520. Most of that movement was gradual except for a single sharp jump of +19.1% in FY 2024, well above this county's typical year-to-year change.

$800$1,000$1,200$1,400$1,600 FY2020FY2021FY2022FY2023FY2024FY2025FY2026 $1,520
Delaware County 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent, FY2020–FY2026
Year Studio 1 BR 2 BR
FY 2026 ↑0.5% $1,397 $1,520 $1,810
FY 2025 ↑4.2% $1,372 $1,512 $1,802
FY 2024 ↑19.1% $1,303 $1,451 $1,737
FY 2023 ↑13.7% $1,081 $1,218 $1,470
FY 2022 ↑3.0% $940 $1,071 $1,298
FY 2021 ↑2.7% $900 $1,040 $1,260
FY 2020 $864 $1,013 $1,226
Total change (6yr): +50.0%
Annualized: +7.0%/yr
1 BR: $1,013 → $1,520

Part of the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD Metro Area

Delaware County is a central county of the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metropolitan statistical area, alongside 10 other metro-area counties.

Delaware County ranks #11 of 11 counties in this metro area by 1-bedroom FMR. Every county sharing this metro, highest to lowest: Philadelphia County ($1,520), Montgomery County ($1,520), Bucks County ($1,520), New Castle County ($1,520), Chester County ($1,520), Camden County ($1,520), Burlington County ($1,520), Gloucester County ($1,520), Cecil County ($1,520), Salem County ($1,520), Delaware County (this county) ($1,520).

Philadelphia County
1 BR: $1,520/mo
Montgomery County
1 BR: $1,520/mo
Bucks County
1 BR: $1,520/mo
New Castle County
1 BR: $1,520/mo
Chester County
1 BR: $1,520/mo
Camden County
1 BR: $1,520/mo
Burlington County
1 BR: $1,520/mo
Gloucester County
1 BR: $1,520/mo
Cecil County
1 BR: $1,520/mo
Salem County
1 BR: $1,520/mo
Delaware County (this county)
1 BR: $1,520/mo

Nationwide peers by 2BR FMR & rent burden

Two PlainRent-derived comparison paths for Delaware County, both outside Pennsylvania 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 PA (FY2026).

New Castle County
DE · 2 BR $1,810/mo
Camden County
NJ · 2 BR $1,810/mo
Burlington County
NJ · 2 BR $1,810/mo
Gloucester County
NJ · 2 BR $1,810/mo

Similar rent burden

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

Lee County
SC · 24.5% of income · 2 BR $902/mo
Linn County
OR · 24.5% of income · 2 BR $1,500/mo
Shelby County
TN · 24.5% of income · 2 BR $1,274/mo
Warren County
NC · 24.5% of income · 2 BR $925/mo

Nearby Counties in Pennsylvania

Largest counties by population in Pennsylvania

Showing the 8 largest of 66 other counties in Pennsylvania.

Philadelphia County
1 BR: $1,520/mo Pop: 1,593,208
Allegheny County
1 BR: $1,077/mo Pop: 1,245,310
Montgomery County
1 BR: $1,520/mo Pop: 856,399
Bucks County
1 BR: $1,520/mo Pop: 645,163
Lancaster County
1 BR: $1,220/mo Pop: 553,202
Chester County
1 BR: $1,520/mo Pop: 536,474
York County
1 BR: $1,060/mo Pop: 457,051
Berks County
1 BR: $1,237/mo Pop: 428,483
View all counties in Pennsylvania →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average rent in Delaware County? ▼
The FY 2026 Fair Market Rent for a 1-bedroom in Delaware County is $1,520 per month. A 2-bedroom is $1,810 and a studio is $1,397.
How does Delaware County rent compare to the national average? ▼
Rent in Delaware County is 58% above the national average. A 1-bedroom here costs $1,520 compared to $959 nationally.
Where does Delaware County rank nationally for Fair Market Rent? ▼
According to HUD's FY 2026 Fair Market Rent schedule, Delaware County's 2-bedroom FMR of $1,810 ranks #220 most expensive among 3,145 HUD counties, placing it in the highest-rent tenth of HUD counties.
What income do I need to afford rent in Delaware County? ▼
Based on the 30% affordability rule, you need an annual income of at least $60,800 ($5,067/month) to afford a 1-bedroom at Fair Market Rent in Delaware County.
Is rent going up or down in Delaware County? ▼
The 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent in Delaware County increased by 0.5% from FY 2025 to FY 2026, going from $1,512 to $1,520.
Which jobs can afford rent in Delaware County? ▼
Based on Pennsylvania BLS salary data and the 30% affordability rule, jobs like Software Developers, General and Operations Managers, Registered Nurses can afford a 1-bedroom at $1,520/mo. 8 of 15 common occupations are affordable here.
How much has rent changed in Delaware County over time? ▼
The 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent in Delaware County went from $1,013 in FY 2020 to $1,520 in FY 2026, a total change of +50.0% over 6 years.
How does Fair Market Rent affect Section 8 vouchers in Delaware County? ▼
In Delaware County, the FY 2026 FMR of $1,520/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 Delaware County? ▼
For Delaware County, it's the specific 40th-percentile rent HUD publishes each year ($1,520/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.