County FMR · HUD FY2026

Golden Valley County Fair Market Rent

HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent for Golden Valley County, ND - 14% below the US average.

$826
1-bedroom FMR
$1,027
2-bedroom FMR
+8.5%
YoY change
-14%
vs US avg

The verdict

Golden Valley is the 14th most expensive of 53 counties in North Dakota by 2-bedroom FMR; nationally it ranks #1,573 most expensive of 3,145 HUD counties; rent here has climbed 8.5% since FY 2025, a modest shift relative to most counties.

#1,573
most expensive of 3,145 US counties (2BR)
#14
most expensive of 53 in North Dakota (2BR)
+4%
vs the state average
$33,040
income to afford it (30% rule)

Software Developers spend the smallest share of income on rent here (10.1%), while Fast Food and Counter Workers spend the most (33%); 14 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 Golden Valley County, ND. Verify with HUD →

Golden Valley County, North Dakota carries an FY 2026 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent of $826 per month, the federal benchmark HUD publishes for this county. A 2-bedroom costs $1,027/mo and a studio is $820/mo. That's 14% below the national benchmark of $959 and 4% above the North Dakota average of $795.

Rent increased8.5% from FY 2025 ($761), outpacing inflation. Under the 30% rule, affordability starts near $33,040/year for a 1-bedroom.

Observed renter burden: 18.2% of the 165 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 Dakota. Population: 1,734.

FMR filing desk

Area GOLDEN·VALLEY·COUNTY·ND·ND

Golden Valley County, ND: $826/mo 1BR · #1573 of 3145 counties (2BR) · FY2026

  • FMR-AREA ND
  • 1BR-FMR $826
  • 2BR-FMR $1,027
  • RANK-MID #1,573
  • YOY-SURGE +8.5%
  • VSUS-BELOW -14%
  • VS-ST-NEAR +4% ND
  • INC-ROOM 13%
  • POP-SMALL 2K
  • PHOTO-NEAR Cass County
  • VOUCH-90-110 $743–$909
  • FY-2026 FY2026

Photo-finish peer: Cass ($91 1BR gap)

Read with: How Fair Market Rent works

Fair Market Rents (2026)

Studio
State avg: $769 · US avg: $893
$820/mo
↑ 8.5% YoY +7% vs state -8% vs US
1 Bedroom
State avg: $795 · US avg: $959
$826/mo
↑ 8.5% YoY +4% vs state -14% vs US
2 Bedroom
State avg: $965 · US avg: $1,175
$1,027/mo
↑ 10.2% YoY +6% vs state -13% vs US
3 Bedroom
State avg: $1,297 · US avg: $1,525
$1,428/mo
↑ 27.2% YoY +10% vs state -6% vs US
4 Bedroom
State avg: $1,588 · US avg: $1,756
$1,723/mo
↑ 10.1% YoY +9% vs state -2% vs US

Year-over-Year Comparison

Bedrooms FY 2025 FY 2026 Change
Studio $756
$820
+$64 (+8.5%)
1 Bedroom $761
$826
+$65 (+8.5%)
2 Bedroom $932
$1,027
+$95 (+10.2%)
3 Bedroom $1,123
$1,428
+$305 (+27.2%)
4 Bedroom $1,565
$1,723
+$158 (+10.1%)

Rent Burden Analysis

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

Studio
12.9%
Affordable
Need $32,800/yr for 30% rule
1 Bedroom
13%
Affordable
Need $33,040/yr for 30% rule
2 Bedroom
16.1%
Affordable
Need $41,080/yr for 30% rule
3 Bedroom
22.4%
Affordable
Need $57,120/yr for 30% rule
4 Bedroom
27%
Affordable
Need $68,920/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%16.1%
Golden Valley County 2-bedroom rent burden
County median income: $76,528 · National avg burden: 21.7% ·View North Dakota rent burden →

Where Golden Valley sits among every US county

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

$1,027 higher than 50% 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 Golden Valley compares on 1-bedroom rent

1-bedroom FMR vs other North Dakota counties

1BR FMR / mo

What this shows Golden Valley is highlighted. Nearby North Dakota counties by 1-bedroom FMR, highest to lowest: Williams County ($1,068), Burleigh County ($1,030), Morton County ($1,030), Ward County ($960), Cass County ($917), Grand Forks County ($868), Golden Valley County (this county) ($826).

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

Can Common Jobs Afford Rent Here?

How a 1-bedroom at $826/mo compares to North Dakota salaries for popular occupations (BLS wage data, 30%-of-income rule).

Occupation ND Salary Rent Burden Verdict
Software Developers $98,550 10.1% Affordable
General & Operations Managers $93,290 10.6% Affordable
Registered Nurses $78,260 12.7% Affordable
Police & Sheriff's Patrol Officers $75,530 13.1% Affordable
Accountants & Auditors $72,180 13.7% Affordable
Electricians $65,820 15.1% Affordable
Paralegals & Legal Assistants $59,910 16.5% Affordable
Heavy & Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $58,970 16.8% Affordable
Elementary School Teachers $57,820 17.1% Affordable
Pharmacy Technicians $47,600 20.8% Affordable
Customer Service Representatives $43,160 23% Affordable
Teaching Assistants $36,810 26.9% Affordable
Janitors & Cleaners $36,660 27% Affordable
Retail Salespersons $35,670 27.8% Affordable
Fast Food & Counter Workers $30,010 33% Stretched
Salaries: BLS OES (North Dakota) median · 30% = affordable threshold · Try the salary calculator →

Rent Trends (2020–2026)

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

Over the 6-year span HUD has tracked for Golden Valley (FY 2020-2026), the 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent has risen 26.5% overall, from $653 to $826. The increases have been fairly steady year to year, with no single jump exceeding 11.6% (FY 2022).

$500$600$700$800$900 FY2020FY2021FY2022FY2023FY2024FY2025FY2026 $826
Golden Valley County 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent, FY2020–FY2026
Year Studio 1 BR 2 BR
FY 2026 ↑8.5% $820 $826 $1,027
FY 2025 ↑8.3% $756 $761 $932
FY 2024 ↑9.3% $699 $703 $872
FY 2023 ↓3.2% $639 $643 $826
FY 2022 ↑11.6% $653 $664 $757
FY 2021 ↓8.9% $591 $595 $778
FY 2020 $648 $653 $864
Total change (6yr): +26.5%
Annualized: +4.0%/yr
1 BR: $653 → $826

Where Golden Valley County Ranks in North Dakota

Golden Valley 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 #40 of 53 counties in North Dakota. Nearest by rank: Hettinger County ($927), Sargent County ($935), Dunn County ($938), Barnes County ($948), Rolette County ($954), McHenry County ($1,000), Logan County ($1,014), Golden Valley County (this county) ($1,027), Stark County ($1,056), Mountrail County ($1,071), Renville County ($1,081), Grand Forks County ($1,089), Cass County ($1,112), Mercer County ($1,156), Ward County ($1,165).

Hettinger County
2 BR: $927/mo
Sargent County
2 BR: $935/mo
Dunn County
2 BR: $938/mo
Barnes County
2 BR: $948/mo
Rolette County
2 BR: $954/mo
McHenry County
2 BR: $1,000/mo
Logan County
2 BR: $1,014/mo
Golden Valley County (this county)
2 BR: $1,027/mo
Stark County
2 BR: $1,056/mo
Mountrail County
2 BR: $1,071/mo
Renville County
2 BR: $1,081/mo
Grand Forks County
2 BR: $1,089/mo
Cass County
2 BR: $1,112/mo
Mercer County
2 BR: $1,156/mo
Ward County
2 BR: $1,165/mo

Nationwide peers by 2BR FMR & rent burden

Two PlainRent-derived comparison paths for Golden Valley County, both outside North Dakota 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 ND (FY2026).

Garfield County
OK · 2 BR $1,027/mo
Logan County
OH · 2 BR $1,027/mo
Becker County
MN · 2 BR $1,027/mo
Morrow County
OR · 2 BR $1,027/mo

Similar rent burden

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

Logan County
NE · 16.1% of income · 2 BR $961/mo
Lincoln County
NC · 16.1% of income · 2 BR $1,054/mo
Stanley County
SD · 16.1% of income · 2 BR $1,034/mo
Carroll County
IA · 16.1% of income · 2 BR $919/mo

Nearby Counties in North Dakota

Largest counties by population in North Dakota

Showing the 8 largest of 52 other counties in North Dakota.

Cass County
1 BR: $917/mo Pop: 186,328
Burleigh County
1 BR: $1,030/mo Pop: 98,443
Grand Forks County
1 BR: $868/mo Pop: 72,927
Ward County
1 BR: $960/mo Pop: 69,532
Williams County
1 BR: $1,068/mo Pop: 39,076
Morton County
1 BR: $1,030/mo Pop: 33,192
Stark County
1 BR: $874/mo Pop: 32,989
Stutsman County
1 BR: $680/mo Pop: 21,609
View all counties in North Dakota →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average rent in Golden Valley County? ▼
The FY 2026 Fair Market Rent for a 1-bedroom in Golden Valley County is $826 per month. A 2-bedroom is $1,027 and a studio is $820.
How does Golden Valley County rent compare to the national average? ▼
Rent in Golden Valley County is 14% below the national average. A 1-bedroom here costs $826 compared to $959 nationally.
Where does Golden Valley County rank nationally for Fair Market Rent? ▼
According to HUD's FY 2026 Fair Market Rent schedule, Golden Valley County's 2-bedroom FMR of $1,027 ranks #1,573 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 Golden Valley County? ▼
Based on the 30% affordability rule, you need an annual income of at least $33,040 ($2,753/month) to afford a 1-bedroom at Fair Market Rent in Golden Valley County.
Is rent going up or down in Golden Valley County? ▼
The 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent in Golden Valley County increased by 8.5% from FY 2025 to FY 2026, going from $761 to $826.
Which jobs can afford rent in Golden Valley County? ▼
Based on North Dakota BLS salary data and the 30% affordability rule, jobs like Software Developers, General and Operations Managers, Registered Nurses can afford a 1-bedroom at $826/mo. 14 of 15 common occupations are affordable here.
How much has rent changed in Golden Valley County over time? ▼
The 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent in Golden Valley County went from $653 in FY 2020 to $826 in FY 2026, a total change of +26.5% over 6 years.
How does Fair Market Rent affect Section 8 vouchers in Golden Valley County? ▼
In Golden Valley County, the FY 2026 FMR of $826/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 Golden Valley County? ▼
For Golden Valley County, it's the specific 40th-percentile rent HUD publishes each year ($826/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.