County FMR · HUD FY2026

Garrett County Fair Market Rent

HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent for Garrett County, MD - 10% below the US average.

$864
1-bedroom FMR
$973
2-bedroom FMR
+4.7%
YoY change
-10%
vs US avg

The verdict

Garrett is the 2nd cheapest of 24 counties in Maryland by 2-bedroom FMR; nationally it ranks #976 most affordable of 3,145 HUD counties.

#976
most affordable of 3,145 US counties (2BR)
#2
cheapest of 24 in Maryland (2BR)
-38%
vs the state average
$34,560
income to afford it (30% rule)

Software Developers spend the smallest share of income on rent here (7.5%), while Fast Food and Counter Workers spend the most (33.2%); 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 Garrett County, MD. Verify with HUD →

Garrett County, Maryland carries an FY 2026 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent of $864 per month, the federal benchmark HUD publishes for this county. A 2-bedroom costs $973/mo and a studio is $848/mo. That's 10% below the national benchmark of $959 and 38% below the Maryland average of $1,404.

Rent increased4.7% from FY 2025 ($825), outpacing inflation. Under the 30% rule, affordability starts near $34,560/year for a 1-bedroom.

Observed renter burden: 23.5% of the 2,385 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 Maryland. Population: 28,856. Population has held roughly steady over the past five years (-2.3%, Census ACS). That's slower than Maryland's statewide growth of +2.8% over the same period.

FMR filing desk

Area GARRETT·COUNTY·MD·MD

Garrett County, MD: $864/mo 1BR · #976 of 3145 counties (2BR) · FY2026

  • FMR-AREA MD
  • 1BR-FMR $864
  • 2BR-FMR $973
  • RANK-MID #976
  • YOY-UP +4.7%
  • VSUS-BELOW -10%
  • VS-ST-LOW -38% MD
  • INC-ROOM 15%
  • POP-SMALL 29K
  • PHOTO-NEAR Montgomery County
  • VOUCH-90-110 $778–$950
  • FY-2026 FY2026

Photo-finish peer: Montgomery ($1,151 1BR gap)

Read with: How Fair Market Rent works

Fair Market Rents (2026)

Studio
State avg: $1,314 · US avg: $893
$848/mo
↑ 4.6% YoY -35% vs state -5% vs US
1 Bedroom
State avg: $1,404 · US avg: $959
$864/mo
↑ 4.7% YoY -38% vs state -10% vs US
2 Bedroom
State avg: $1,657 · US avg: $1,175
$973/mo
↑ 4.3% YoY -41% vs state -17% vs US
3 Bedroom
State avg: $2,133 · US avg: $1,525
$1,353/mo
↑ 3.5% YoY -37% vs state -11% vs US
4 Bedroom
State avg: $2,449 · US avg: $1,756
$1,441/mo
↓ 5.9% YoY -41% vs state -18% vs US

Year-over-Year Comparison

Bedrooms FY 2025 FY 2026 Change
Studio $811
$848
+$37 (+4.6%)
1 Bedroom $825
$864
+$39 (+4.7%)
2 Bedroom $933
$973
+$40 (+4.3%)
3 Bedroom $1,307
$1,353
+$46 (+3.5%)
4 Bedroom $1,532
$1,441
$-91 (-5.9%)

Rent Burden Analysis

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

Studio
14.7%
Affordable
Need $33,920/yr for 30% rule
1 Bedroom
15%
Affordable
Need $34,560/yr for 30% rule
2 Bedroom
16.9%
Affordable
Need $38,920/yr for 30% rule
3 Bedroom
23.5%
Affordable
Need $54,120/yr for 30% rule
4 Bedroom
25%
Affordable
Need $57,640/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%16.9%
Garrett County 2-bedroom rent burden
County median income: $69,031 · National avg burden: 21.7% ·View Maryland rent burden →

Where Garrett sits among every US county

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

$973 higher than 31% 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 Garrett compares on 1-bedroom rent

1-bedroom FMR vs other Maryland counties

1BR FMR / mo

What this shows Garrett is highlighted. Nearby Maryland counties by 1-bedroom FMR, highest to lowest: Montgomery County ($2,015), Prince George's County ($2,015), Baltimore County ($1,511), Anne Arundel County ($1,511), Baltimore city ($1,511), Howard County ($1,511), Garrett County (this county) ($864).

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

Can Common Jobs Afford Rent Here?

How a 1-bedroom at $864/mo compares to Maryland salaries for popular occupations (BLS wage data, 30%-of-income rule).

Occupation MD Salary Rent Burden Verdict
Software Developers $137,890 7.5% Affordable
General & Operations Managers $105,320 9.8% Affordable
Registered Nurses $96,830 10.7% Affordable
Accountants & Auditors $84,890 12.2% Affordable
Police & Sheriff's Patrol Officers $77,440 13.4% Affordable
Elementary School Teachers $74,720 13.9% Affordable
Electricians $65,650 15.8% Affordable
Paralegals & Legal Assistants $63,560 16.3% Affordable
Heavy & Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $57,180 18.1% Affordable
Pharmacy Technicians $43,100 24.1% Affordable
Customer Service Representatives $40,310 25.7% Affordable
Janitors & Cleaners $36,090 28.7% Affordable
Teaching Assistants $35,700 29% Affordable
Retail Salespersons $34,310 30.2% Stretched
Fast Food & Counter Workers $31,200 33.2% Stretched
Salaries: BLS OES (Maryland) median · 30% = affordable threshold · Try the salary calculator →

Rent Trends (2020–2026)

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

Over the 6-year span HUD has tracked for Garrett (FY 2020-2026), the 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent has risen 46.9% overall, from $588 to $864. Most of that movement was gradual except for a single sharp jump of +12.3% in FY 2024, well above this county's typical year-to-year change.

$500$600$700$800$900 FY2020FY2021FY2022FY2023FY2024FY2025FY2026 $864
Garrett County 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent, FY2020–FY2026
Year Studio 1 BR 2 BR
FY 2026 ↑4.7% $848 $864 $973
FY 2025 ↑3.8% $811 $825 $933
FY 2024 ↑12.3% $785 $795 $905
FY 2023 ↑11.1% $696 $708 $826
FY 2022 ↑5.5% $557 $637 $757
FY 2021 ↑2.7% $484 $604 $734
FY 2020 $477 $588 $732
Total change (6yr): +46.9%
Annualized: +6.6%/yr
1 BR: $588 → $864

Where Garrett County Ranks in Maryland

Garrett 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 #2 of 24 counties in Maryland. Nearest by rank: Allegany County ($973), Garrett County (this county) ($973), Dorchester County ($1,144), Somerset County ($1,167), Worcester County ($1,194), Kent County ($1,246), Washington County ($1,261).

Allegany County
2 BR: $973/mo
Garrett County (this county)
2 BR: $973/mo
Dorchester County
2 BR: $1,144/mo
Somerset County
2 BR: $1,167/mo
Worcester County
2 BR: $1,194/mo
Kent County
2 BR: $1,246/mo
Washington County
2 BR: $1,261/mo

Nationwide peers by 2BR FMR & rent burden

Two PlainRent-derived comparison paths for Garrett County, both outside Maryland 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 MD (FY2026).

Mahoning County
OH · 2 BR $973/mo
Trumbull County
OH · 2 BR $973/mo
Richland County
OH · 2 BR $973/mo
Columbiana County
OH · 2 BR $973/mo

Similar rent burden

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

Calumet County
WI · 16.9% of income · 2 BR $1,236/mo
Emmet County
IA · 16.9% of income · 2 BR $919/mo
Champaign County
OH · 16.9% of income · 2 BR $1,046/mo
Frontier County
NE · 16.9% of income · 2 BR $961/mo

Nearby Counties in Maryland

Largest counties by population in Maryland

Showing the 8 largest of 23 other counties in Maryland.

Montgomery County
1 BR: $2,015/mo Pop: 1,056,910
Prince George's County
1 BR: $2,015/mo Pop: 957,189
Baltimore County
1 BR: $1,511/mo Pop: 850,737
Anne Arundel County
1 BR: $1,511/mo Pop: 588,109
Baltimore city
1 BR: $1,511/mo Pop: 584,548
Howard County
1 BR: $1,511/mo Pop: 332,011
Frederick County
1 BR: $2,015/mo Pop: 273,829
Harford County
1 BR: $1,511/mo Pop: 261,059
View all counties in Maryland →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average rent in Garrett County? ▼
The FY 2026 Fair Market Rent for a 1-bedroom in Garrett County is $864 per month. A 2-bedroom is $973 and a studio is $848.
How does Garrett County rent compare to the national average? ▼
Rent in Garrett County is 10% below the national average. A 1-bedroom here costs $864 compared to $959 nationally.
Where does Garrett County rank nationally for Fair Market Rent? ▼
According to HUD's FY 2026 Fair Market Rent schedule, Garrett County's 2-bedroom FMR of $973 ranks #976 most affordable among 3,145 HUD counties, placing it in the middle half of HUD counties.
What income do I need to afford rent in Garrett County? ▼
Based on the 30% affordability rule, you need an annual income of at least $34,560 ($2,880/month) to afford a 1-bedroom at Fair Market Rent in Garrett County.
Is rent going up or down in Garrett County? ▼
The 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent in Garrett County increased by 4.7% from FY 2025 to FY 2026, going from $825 to $864.
Which jobs can afford rent in Garrett County? ▼
Based on Maryland BLS salary data and the 30% affordability rule, jobs like Software Developers, General and Operations Managers, Registered Nurses can afford a 1-bedroom at $864/mo. 13 of 15 common occupations are affordable here.
How much has rent changed in Garrett County over time? ▼
The 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent in Garrett County went from $588 in FY 2020 to $864 in FY 2026, a total change of +46.9% over 6 years.
How does Fair Market Rent affect Section 8 vouchers in Garrett County? ▼
In Garrett County, the FY 2026 FMR of $864/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 Garrett County? ▼
For Garrett County, it's the specific 40th-percentile rent HUD publishes each year ($864/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.