County FMR · HUD FY2026

Goochland County Fair Market Rent

HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent for Goochland County, VA - 57% above the US average.

$1,507
1-bedroom FMR
$1,655
2-bedroom FMR
-2.5%
YoY change
+57%
vs US avg

The verdict

Goochland is the 44th most expensive of 133 counties in Virginia by 2-bedroom FMR; nationally it ranks #377 most expensive of 3,145 HUD counties.

#377
most expensive of 3,145 US counties (2BR)
#44
most expensive of 133 in Virginia (2BR)
+27%
vs the state average
$60,280
income to afford it (30% rule)

Software Developers spend the smallest share of income on rent here (13.4%), while Fast Food and Counter Workers spend the most (62.2%).

FY 2026 HUD Fair Market Rent for Goochland County, VA. Verify with HUD →

Goochland County, Virginia carries an FY 2026 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent of $1,507 per month, the federal benchmark HUD publishes for this county. A 2-bedroom costs $1,655/mo and a studio is $1,442/mo. That's 57% above the national benchmark of $959 and 27% above the Virginia average of $1,182.

Rent decreased2.5% from FY 2025 ($1,545), declining against the trend. Clearing the 30% rule here takes $60,280/year, a high bar relative to most US counties.

FY 2026 HUD Fair Market Rents in Virginia. Population: 24,906. Population grew 13.9% over the past five years (Census ACS) - among the faster-growing counties nationally, a trend that typically adds upward pressure on rents. That's faster than Virginia's statewide growth of +2.9% over the same period.

What these rents mean for Goochland 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, Goochland County's 2-bedroom of $1,655 ranks #377 most expensive of 3,145 US counties, in the upper-rent quarter of HUD counties.

Goochland County sits in the expensive tier: 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent is 57% above the US average of $959, and 27% above the Virginia average of $1,182. Voucher payment standards and renter budgets both feel that premium. From FY 2025 to FY 2026 the 1-bedroom schedule moved $1,545 → $1,507 (-2.5%), a rare easing in a high-rent county.

At $1,507/mo for a 1-bedroom, the 30% rule wants $60,280/year: still within reach of the county median income of $118,695, though a 2-bedroom at $1,655 raises the bar.

Fair Market Rents (2026)

Studio
State avg: $1,137 · US avg: $893
$1,442/mo
↓ 3.1% YoY +27% vs state +61% vs US
1 Bedroom
State avg: $1,182 · US avg: $959
$1,507/mo
↓ 2.5% YoY +27% vs state +57% vs US
2 Bedroom
State avg: $1,369 · US avg: $1,175
$1,655/mo
↓ 3.3% YoY +21% vs state +41% vs US
3 Bedroom
State avg: $1,789 · US avg: $1,525
$2,072/mo
↓ 4.3% YoY +16% vs state +36% vs US
4 Bedroom
State avg: $2,128 · US avg: $1,756
$2,553/mo
↓ 4.6% YoY +20% vs state +45% vs US

Year-over-Year Comparison

Bedrooms FY 2025 FY 2026 Change
Studio $1,488
$1,442
$-46 (-3.1%)
1 Bedroom $1,545
$1,507
$-38 (-2.5%)
2 Bedroom $1,711
$1,655
$-56 (-3.3%)
3 Bedroom $2,166
$2,072
$-94 (-4.3%)
4 Bedroom $2,677
$2,553
$-124 (-4.6%)

Affordability Snapshot

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

Required annual income for 1 BR
$60,280
$5,023/month gross
Required annual income for 2 BR
$66,200
$5,517/month gross

Rent Burden Analysis

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

Studio
14.6%
Affordable
Need $57,680/yr for 30% rule
1 Bedroom
15.2%
Affordable
Need $60,280/yr for 30% rule
2 Bedroom
16.7%
Affordable
Need $66,200/yr for 30% rule
3 Bedroom
20.9%
Affordable
Need $82,880/yr for 30% rule
4 Bedroom
25.8%
Affordable
Need $102,120/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%16.7%
Goochland County 2-bedroom rent burden
County median income: $118,695 · National avg burden: 21.7% ·View Virginia rent burden →

Where Goochland sits among every US county

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

$1,655 Top 12% higher than 88% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $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 Goochland compares on 1-bedroom rent

1-bedroom FMR vs other Virginia counties

1BR FMR / mo

What this shows Goochland is highlighted. Nearby Virginia counties by 1-bedroom FMR, highest to lowest: Fairfax County ($2,015), Prince William County ($2,015), Loudoun County ($2,015), Virginia Beach city ($1,512), Goochland County (this county) ($1,507), Chesterfield County ($1,507), Henrico County ($1,507).

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 $1,507/mo, which of 15 common occupations still clear the 30% line using Virginia BLS wages?

Occupation VA Salary Rent Burden Verdict
Software Developers $134,470 13.4% Affordable
General & Operations Managers $121,530 14.9% Affordable
Registered Nurses $88,820 20.4% Affordable
Accountants & Auditors $84,190 21.5% Affordable
Police & Sheriff's Patrol Officers $65,110 27.8% Affordable
Elementary School Teachers $62,270 29% Affordable
Electricians $61,610 29.4% Affordable
Paralegals & Legal Assistants $61,200 29.5% Affordable
Heavy & Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $54,500 33.2% Stretched
Pharmacy Technicians $42,490 42.6% Stretched
Customer Service Representatives $39,210 46.1% Stretched
Teaching Assistants $36,650 49.3% Stretched
Janitors & Cleaners $33,970 53.2% Unaffordable
Retail Salespersons $32,760 55.2% Unaffordable
Fast Food & Counter Workers $29,060 62.2% Unaffordable
Salaries: BLS OES (Virginia) median · 30% = affordable threshold · Try the salary calculator →

Rent Trends (2020–2026)

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

Over the 6-year span HUD has tracked for Goochland (FY 2020-2026), the 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent has risen 61.7% overall, from $932 to $1,507. Most of that movement was gradual except for a single sharp jump of +15.4% in FY 2024, well above this county's typical year-to-year change.

$800$1,000$1,200$1,400$1,600 FY2020FY2021FY2022FY2023FY2024FY2025FY2026 $1,507
Goochland County 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent, FY2020–FY2026
Year Studio 1 BR 2 BR
FY 2026 ↓2.5% $1,442 $1,507 $1,655
FY 2025 ↑13.2% $1,488 $1,545 $1,711
FY 2024 ↑15.4% $1,328 $1,365 $1,532
FY 2023 ↑13.3% $1,157 $1,183 $1,336
FY 2022 ↑2.4% $1,022 $1,044 $1,189
FY 2021 ↑9.4% $993 $1,020 $1,163
FY 2020 $899 $932 $1,061
Total change (6yr): +61.7%
Annualized: +8.3%/yr
1 BR: $932 → $1,507

Part of the Richmond, VA Metro Area

Goochland County is a outlying county of the Richmond, VA metropolitan statistical area, alongside 16 other metro-area counties.

Goochland County ranks #16 of 17 counties in this metro area by 1-bedroom FMR. Every county sharing this metro, highest to lowest: Chesterfield County ($1,507), Henrico County ($1,507), Richmond city ($1,507), Hanover County ($1,507), Prince George County ($1,507), Petersburg city ($1,507), Powhatan County ($1,507), Dinwiddie County ($1,507), New Kent County ($1,507), Hopewell city ($1,507), Colonial Heights city ($1,507), King William County ($1,507), Amelia County ($1,507), Sussex County ($1,507), Charles City County ($1,507), Goochland County (this county) ($1,507), King and Queen County ($1,139).

Chesterfield County
1 BR: $1,507/mo
Henrico County
1 BR: $1,507/mo
Richmond city
1 BR: $1,507/mo
Hanover County
1 BR: $1,507/mo
Prince George County
1 BR: $1,507/mo
Petersburg city
1 BR: $1,507/mo
Powhatan County
1 BR: $1,507/mo
Dinwiddie County
1 BR: $1,507/mo
New Kent County
1 BR: $1,507/mo
Hopewell city
1 BR: $1,507/mo
Colonial Heights city
1 BR: $1,507/mo
King William County
1 BR: $1,507/mo
Goochland County (this county)
1 BR: $1,507/mo
Show all 17 counties in this metro area
Amelia County
1 BR: $1,507/mo
Sussex County
1 BR: $1,507/mo
Charles City County
1 BR: $1,507/mo
King and Queen County
1 BR: $1,139/mo

Nearby Counties in Virginia

Largest counties by population in Virginia

Fairfax County
1 BR: $2,015/mo Pop: 1,145,354
Prince William County
1 BR: $2,015/mo Pop: 481,114
Virginia Beach city
1 BR: $1,512/mo Pop: 457,900
Loudoun County
1 BR: $2,015/mo Pop: 420,773
Chesterfield County
1 BR: $1,507/mo Pop: 366,019
Henrico County
1 BR: $1,507/mo Pop: 333,120
Chesapeake city
1 BR: $1,512/mo Pop: 249,377
Norfolk city
1 BR: $1,512/mo Pop: 236,973
View all counties in Virginia →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average rent in Goochland County? ▼
The FY 2026 Fair Market Rent for a 1-bedroom in Goochland County is $1,507 per month. A 2-bedroom is $1,655 and a studio is $1,442.
How does Goochland County rent compare to the national average? ▼
Rent in Goochland County is 57% above the national average. A 1-bedroom here costs $1,507 compared to $959 nationally.
Where does Goochland County rank nationally for Fair Market Rent? ▼
According to HUD's FY 2026 Fair Market Rent schedule, Goochland County's 2-bedroom FMR of $1,655 ranks #377 most expensive among 3,145 HUD counties, placing it in the upper-rent quarter of HUD counties.
What income do I need to afford rent in Goochland County? ▼
Based on the 30% affordability rule, you need an annual income of at least $60,280 ($5,023/month) to afford a 1-bedroom at Fair Market Rent in Goochland County.
Is rent going up or down in Goochland County? ▼
The 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent in Goochland County decreased by 2.5% from FY 2025 to FY 2026, going from $1,545 to $1,507.
Which jobs can afford rent in Goochland County? ▼
Based on Virginia BLS salary data and the 30% affordability rule, jobs like Software Developers, General and Operations Managers, Registered Nurses can afford a 1-bedroom at $1,507/mo. 8 of 15 common occupations are affordable here.
How much has rent changed in Goochland County over time? ▼
The 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent in Goochland County went from $932 in FY 2020 to $1,507 in FY 2026, a total change of +61.7% over 6 years.
How does Fair Market Rent affect Section 8 vouchers in Goochland County? ▼
In Goochland County, the FY 2026 FMR of $1,507/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 Goochland County? ▼
For Goochland County, it's the specific 40th-percentile rent HUD publishes each year ($1,507/mo for a 1-bedroom in FY 2026).

What this means for renters

Treat Goochland'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 $1,507 implies about $60,280/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 Goochland 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.