County FMR · HUD FY2026

El Paso County Fair Market Rent

HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent for El Paso County, TX - 6% above the US average.

$1,013
1-bedroom FMR
$1,191
2-bedroom FMR
-0.7%
YoY change
+6%
vs US avg

The verdict

El Paso is the 63rd most expensive of 254 counties in Texas by 2-bedroom FMR; nationally it ranks #1,006 most expensive of 3,145 HUD counties.

#1,006
most expensive of 3,145 US counties (2BR)
#63
most expensive of 254 in Texas (2BR)
+8%
vs the state average
$40,520
income to afford it (30% rule)

Software Developers spend the smallest share of income on rent here (9.3%), while Fast Food and Counter Workers spend the most (45%).

FY 2026 HUD Fair Market Rent for El Paso County, TX. Verify with HUD →

HUD sets the FY 2026 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent for El Paso County, Texas at $1,013 per month - the federal rental-assistance benchmark for this county. A 2-bedroom costs $1,191/mo and a studio is $821/mo. This is 6% higher than the national average of $959 and 8% above the Texas average of $935.

Rent decreased0.7% from FY 2025 ($1,020), roughly tracking inflation. Under the 30% rule, affordability starts near $40,520/year for a 1-bedroom.

FY 2026 HUD Fair Market Rents in Texas. Population: 863,832. Population has held roughly steady over the past five years (+3.4%, Census ACS). That's slower than Texas's statewide growth of +6.3% over the same period.

What these rents mean for El Paso 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, El Paso County's 2-bedroom of $1,191 ranks #1,006 most expensive of 3,145 US counties, in the middle half of HUD counties.

El Paso County's 1-bedroom FMR tracks close to the national mid-point (6% above the US average of $959), while sitting 8% above the Texas average of $935. Over the past year, 1-bedroom rent here shifted from$1,020 in FY 2025 to $1,013 in FY 2026, a change of -0.7%, which tracks roughly with broader price trends.

At the FY 2026 1-bedroom FMR of $1,013, the 30% rule points to $40,520/year (about $3,377/month) versus this county's median household income of $58,859. A 2-bedroom at $1,191 pushes the threshold higher.

Fair Market Rents (2026)

Studio
State avg: $887 · US avg: $893
$821/mo
↑ 0.0% YoY -7% vs state -8% vs US
1 Bedroom
State avg: $935 · US avg: $959
$1,013/mo
↓ 0.7% YoY +8% vs state +6% vs US
2 Bedroom
State avg: $1,149 · US avg: $1,175
$1,191/mo
↓ 0.1% YoY +4% vs state +1% vs US
3 Bedroom
State avg: $1,497 · US avg: $1,525
$1,633/mo
↓ 0.9% YoY +9% vs state +7% vs US
4 Bedroom
State avg: $1,733 · US avg: $1,756
$1,998/mo
↓ 0.2% YoY +15% vs state +14% vs US

Year-over-Year Comparison

Bedrooms FY 2025 FY 2026 Change
Studio $821
$821
$0 (0.0%)
1 Bedroom $1,020
$1,013
$-7 (-0.7%)
2 Bedroom $1,192
$1,191
$-1 (-0.1%)
3 Bedroom $1,647
$1,633
$-14 (-0.9%)
4 Bedroom $2,002
$1,998
$-4 (-0.2%)

Affordability Snapshot

Based on the standard that rent should not exceed 30% of gross income:

Required annual income for 1 BR
$40,520
$3,377/month gross
Required annual income for 2 BR
$47,640
$3,970/month gross

Rent Burden Analysis

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

Studio
16.7%
Affordable
Need $32,840/yr for 30% rule
1 Bedroom
20.7%
Affordable
Need $40,520/yr for 30% rule
2 Bedroom
24.3%
Affordable
Need $47,640/yr for 30% rule
3 Bedroom
33.3%
Burdened
Need $65,320/yr for 30% rule
4 Bedroom
40.7%
Burdened
Need $79,920/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%24.3%
El Paso County 2-bedroom rent burden
County median income: $58,859 · National avg burden: 21.7% ·View Texas rent burden →

Where El Paso sits among every US county

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

$1,191 Top 32% higher than 68% 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 El Paso compares on 1-bedroom rent

1-bedroom FMR vs other Texas counties

1BR FMR / mo

What this shows El Paso is highlighted. Nearby Texas counties by 1-bedroom FMR, highest to lowest: Dallas County ($1,648), Collin County ($1,648), Travis County ($1,562), Tarrant County ($1,473), Harris County ($1,323), Bexar County ($1,177), El Paso County (this county) ($1,013).

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

Can Common Jobs Afford Rent Here?

How a 1-bedroom at $1,013/mo compares to Texas salaries for popular occupations (BLS wage data, 30%-of-income rule).

Occupation TX Salary Rent Burden Verdict
Software Developers $130,500 9.3% Affordable
General & Operations Managers $100,290 12.1% Affordable
Registered Nurses $90,010 13.5% Affordable
Accountants & Auditors $80,000 15.2% Affordable
Police & Sheriff's Patrol Officers $76,350 15.9% Affordable
Elementary School Teachers $61,380 19.8% Affordable
Paralegals & Legal Assistants $59,700 20.4% Affordable
Electricians $56,920 21.4% Affordable
Heavy & Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $53,070 22.9% Affordable
Pharmacy Technicians $43,920 27.7% Affordable
Customer Service Representatives $39,100 31.1% Stretched
Janitors & Cleaners $31,230 38.9% Stretched
Retail Salespersons $30,130 40.3% Stretched
Teaching Assistants $27,630 44% Stretched
Fast Food & Counter Workers $27,000 45% Stretched
Salaries: BLS OES (Texas) median · 30% = affordable threshold · Try the salary calculator →

Rent Trends (2020–2026)

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

Over the 6-year span HUD has tracked for El Paso (FY 2020-2026), the 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent has risen 49.6% overall, from $677 to $1,013. Most of that movement was gradual except for a single sharp jump of +18.9% in FY 2024, well above this county's typical year-to-year change.

$600$700$800$900$1,000$1,100 FY2020FY2021FY2022FY2023FY2024FY2025FY2026 $1,013
El Paso County 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent, FY2020–FY2026
Year Studio 1 BR 2 BR
FY 2026 ↓0.7% $821 $1,013 $1,191
FY 2025 ↑4.1% $821 $1,020 $1,192
FY 2024 ↑18.9% $804 $980 $1,150
FY 2023 ↑17.5% $672 $824 $977
FY 2022 ↑2.0% $558 $701 $840
FY 2021 ↑1.5% $548 $687 $831
FY 2020 $539 $677 $827
Total change (6yr): +49.6%
Annualized: +6.9%/yr
1 BR: $677 → $1,013

Part of the El Paso, TX Metro Area

El Paso County is a central county of the El Paso, TX metropolitan statistical area, alongside 1 other metro-area county.

El Paso County ranks #1 of 2 counties in this metro area by 1-bedroom FMR. Every county sharing this metro, highest to lowest: El Paso County (this county) ($1,013), Hudspeth County ($828).

El Paso County (this county)
1 BR: $1,013/mo
Hudspeth County
1 BR: $828/mo

Nearby Counties in Texas

Largest counties by population in Texas

Harris County
1 BR: $1,323/mo Pop: 4,726,177
Dallas County
1 BR: $1,648/mo Pop: 2,604,053
Tarrant County
1 BR: $1,473/mo Pop: 2,113,854
Bexar County
1 BR: $1,177/mo Pop: 2,014,059
Travis County
1 BR: $1,562/mo Pop: 1,289,054
Collin County
1 BR: $1,648/mo Pop: 1,079,153
Denton County
1 BR: $1,648/mo Pop: 914,870
Hidalgo County
1 BR: $847/mo Pop: 873,167
View all counties in Texas →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average rent in El Paso County? ▼
The FY 2026 Fair Market Rent for a 1-bedroom in El Paso County is $1,013 per month. A 2-bedroom is $1,191 and a studio is $821.
How does El Paso County rent compare to the national average? ▼
Rent in El Paso County is 6% above the national average. A 1-bedroom here costs $1,013 compared to $959 nationally.
Where does El Paso County rank nationally for Fair Market Rent? ▼
According to HUD's FY 2026 Fair Market Rent schedule, El Paso County's 2-bedroom FMR of $1,191 ranks #1,006 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 El Paso County? ▼
Based on the 30% affordability rule, you need an annual income of at least $40,520 ($3,377/month) to afford a 1-bedroom at Fair Market Rent in El Paso County.
Is rent going up or down in El Paso County? ▼
The 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent in El Paso County decreased by 0.7% from FY 2025 to FY 2026, going from $1,020 to $1,013.
Which jobs can afford rent in El Paso County? ▼
Based on Texas BLS salary data and the 30% affordability rule, jobs like Software Developers, General and Operations Managers, Registered Nurses can afford a 1-bedroom at $1,013/mo. 10 of 15 common occupations are affordable here.
How much has rent changed in El Paso County over time? ▼
The 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent in El Paso County went from $677 in FY 2020 to $1,013 in FY 2026, a total change of +49.6% over 6 years.
How does Fair Market Rent affect Section 8 vouchers in El Paso County? ▼
In El Paso County, the FY 2026 FMR of $1,013/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 El Paso County? ▼
For El Paso County, it's the specific 40th-percentile rent HUD publishes each year ($1,013/mo for a 1-bedroom in FY 2026).

What this means for renters

Treat El Paso'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 $1,013 implies about $40,520/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 El Paso 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.

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.