County FMR · HUD FY2026
Faulkner County Fair Market Rent
HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent for Faulkner County, AR - 3% above the US average.
- $989
- 1-bedroom FMR
- $1,147
- 2-bedroom FMR
- +10.9%
- YoY change
- +3%
- vs US avg
The verdict
Faulkner is the 9th most expensive of 75 counties in Arkansas by 2-bedroom FMR; nationally it ranks #1,132 most expensive of 3,145 HUD counties; rent here has climbed 10.9% since FY 2025, a sharp move relative to most counties.
- #1,132
- most expensive of 3,145 US counties (2BR)
- #9
- most expensive of 75 in Arkansas (2BR)
- +32%
- vs the state average
- $39,560
- income to afford it (30% rule)
Software Developers spend the smallest share of income on rent here (12.3%), while Fast Food and Counter Workers spend the most (44.4%); nearby Arkansas counties range as much as 56% apart in 1-bedroom FMR, so the county line itself can matter for renters comparing options.
FY 2026 HUD Fair Market Rent for Faulkner County, AR. Verify with HUD →
The Fair Market Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Faulkner County, Arkansas is $989 per month in FY 2026, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). A 2-bedroom costs $1,147/mo and a studio is $984/mo. This is 3% higher than the national average of $959 and 32% above the Arkansas average of $751.
Rent increased10.9% from FY 2025 ($892), outpacing inflation. Under the 30% rule, affordability starts near $39,560/year for a 1-bedroom.
FY 2026 HUD Fair Market Rents in Arkansas. Population: 124,611. Population has held roughly steady over the past five years (+2.9%, Census ACS). That's faster than Arkansas's statewide growth of +1.4% over the same period.
What these rents mean for Faulkner 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, Faulkner County's 2-bedroom of $1,147 ranks #1,132 most expensive of 3,145 US counties, in the middle half of HUD counties.
Faulkner County's 1-bedroom FMR tracks close to the national mid-point (3% above the US average of $959), while sitting 32% above the Arkansas average of $751. Year-over-year, the 1-bedroom FMR moved from$892 in FY 2025 to $989 in FY 2026, a change of +10.9%, which outpaces typical consumer inflation.
At the FY 2026 1-bedroom FMR of $989, the 30% rule points to $39,560/year (about $3,297/month) versus this county's median household income of $65,071. A 2-bedroom at $1,147 pushes the threshold higher.
Fair Market Rents (2026)
Year-over-Year Comparison
| Bedrooms | FY 2025 | FY 2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $887 | $984 | +$97 (+10.9%) |
| 1 Bedroom | $892 | $989 | +$97 (+10.9%) |
| 2 Bedroom | $1,032 | $1,147 | +$115 (+11.1%) |
| 3 Bedroom | $1,376 | $1,540 | +$164 (+11.9%) |
| 4 Bedroom | $1,628 | $1,822 | +$194 (+11.9%) |
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 Faulkner 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 Faulkner sits among every US county
2-bedroom Fair Market Rent vs. all 3,145 HUD counties
$1,147 Top 36% higher than 64% 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 Faulkner compares on 1-bedroom rent
1-bedroom FMR vs other Arkansas counties
- Benton
Benton County
$1,115 1BR FMR / mo
- Washington
Washington County
$1,115 1BR FMR / mo
- Faulkner
Faulkner County
$989 1BR FMR / mo
- Pulaski
Pulaski County
$989 1BR FMR / mo
- Saline
Saline County
$989 1BR FMR / mo
- Craighead
Craighead County
$870 1BR FMR / mo
- Sebastian
Sebastian County
$714 1BR FMR / mo
What this shows Faulkner is highlighted. Nearby Arkansas counties by 1-bedroom FMR, highest to lowest: Benton County ($1,115), Washington County ($1,115), Faulkner County (this county) ($989), Pulaski County ($989), Saline County ($989), Craighead County ($870), Sebastian County ($714).
Can Common Jobs Afford Rent Here?
How a 1-bedroom at $989/mo compares to Arkansas salaries for popular occupations (BLS wage data, 30%-of-income rule).
| Occupation | AR Salary | Rent Burden | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Developers | $96,820 | 12.3% | Affordable |
| Registered Nurses | $77,130 | 15.4% | Affordable |
| General & Operations Managers | $64,260 | 18.5% | Affordable |
| Accountants & Auditors | $64,180 | 18.5% | Affordable |
| Elementary School Teachers | $50,550 | 23.5% | Affordable |
| Electricians | $49,420 | 24% | Affordable |
| Heavy & Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $49,520 | 24% | Affordable |
| Police & Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $48,090 | 24.7% | Affordable |
| Paralegals & Legal Assistants | $46,940 | 25.3% | Affordable |
| Pharmacy Technicians | $37,380 | 31.7% | Stretched |
| Customer Service Representatives | $37,490 | 31.7% | Stretched |
| Janitors & Cleaners | $29,540 | 40.2% | Stretched |
| Retail Salespersons | $29,420 | 40.3% | Stretched |
| Teaching Assistants | $29,270 | 40.5% | Stretched |
| Fast Food & Counter Workers | $26,740 | 44.4% | Stretched |
Rent Trends (2020–2026)
7-year Fair Market Rent history for Faulkner County. Shows how HUD rental rates have changed over time.
Over the 6-year span HUD has tracked for Faulkner (FY 2020-2026), the 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent has risen 43.8% overall, from $688 to $989. Most of that movement was gradual except for a single sharp jump of +18.0% in FY 2024, well above this county's typical year-to-year change.
| Year | Studio | 1 BR | 2 BR |
|---|---|---|---|
| FY 2026 ↑10.9% | $984 | $989 | $1,147 |
| FY 2025 ↓6.1% | $887 | $892 | $1,032 |
| FY 2024 ↑18.0% | $944 | $950 | $1,089 |
| FY 2023 ↑10.6% | $791 | $805 | $920 |
| FY 2022 ↓1.0% | $706 | $728 | $833 |
| FY 2021 ↑6.8% | $702 | $735 | $849 |
| FY 2020 | $640 | $688 | $804 |
Part of the Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR Metro Area
Faulkner County is a outlying county of the Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR metropolitan statistical area, alongside 5 other metro-area counties.
Faulkner County ranks #5 of 6 counties in this metro area by 1-bedroom FMR. Every county sharing this metro, highest to lowest: Pulaski County ($989), Saline County ($989), Lonoke County ($989), Perry County ($989), Faulkner County (this county) ($989), Grant County ($800).
Nearby Counties in Arkansas
Largest counties by population in Arkansas
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average rent in Faulkner County? ▼
How does Faulkner County rent compare to the national average? ▼
Where does Faulkner County rank nationally for Fair Market Rent? ▼
What income do I need to afford rent in Faulkner County? ▼
Is rent going up or down in Faulkner County? ▼
Which jobs can afford rent in Faulkner County? ▼
How much has rent changed in Faulkner County over time? ▼
How does Fair Market Rent affect Section 8 vouchers in Faulkner County? ▼
What does Fair Market Rent mean for Faulkner County? ▼
What this means for renters
Treat Faulkner'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 $989 implies about $39,560/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 Faulkner 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.