County FMR · HUD FY2026

Grayson County Fair Market Rent

HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent for Grayson County, VA - 13% below the US average.

$834
1-bedroom FMR
$914
2-bedroom FMR
+8.5%
YoY change
-13%
vs US avg

The verdict

Grayson is the 11th cheapest of 133 counties in Virginia by 2-bedroom FMR; rent here has climbed 8.5% since FY 2025, a modest shift relative to most counties.

#11
cheapest of 133 in Virginia (2BR)
-29%
vs the state average
$33,360
income to afford it (30% rule)
+8.5%
YoY, FY2025→2026

Software Developers spend the smallest share of income on rent here (7.4%), while Fast Food and Counter Workers spend the most (34.4%); 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 Grayson County, VA. Verify with HUD →

The Fair Market Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Grayson County, Virginia is $834 per month in FY 2026, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). A 2-bedroom costs $914/mo and a studio is $792/mo. This is 13% lower than the national average of $959 and 29% below the Virginia average of $1,182.

Rent increased8.5% from FY 2025 ($769), outpacing inflation. To afford rent here, a household needs at least $33,360/year based on the 30% affordability rule.

FY 2026 HUD Fair Market Rents in Virginia. Population: 15,356. Population has held roughly steady over the past five years (-3.1%, Census ACS). That's slower than Virginia's statewide growth of +2.9% over the same period.

What these rents mean for Grayson County

The Grayson County FMR area applies to all ZIP codes inside the county boundary, and Virginia's housing authorities use it as the baseline for Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher payment standards. See how FMR is calculated for the full 40th-percentile methodology and payment-standard rules.

Compared to the rest of the country, a 1-bedroom here is 13% below the US average of $959 and 29% lower than the Virginia state average of $1,182. Year-over-year, the 1-bedroom FMR moved from$769 in FY 2025 to $834 in FY 2026 - a change of +8.5%, which outpaces typical consumer inflation.

At the FY 2026 1-bedroom FMR of $834, affording it under the 30%-of-income rule takes $33,360 per year (about $2,780/month) in household income, and a 2-bedroom at $914 pushes that threshold even higher. With a population of 15,356 and a county median household income of $42,864, the arithmetic here directly shapes which wage earners can rent without being cost-burdened.

Fair Market Rents (2026)

Studio
State avg: $1,137 · US avg: $893
$792/mo
↑ 7.6% YoY -30% vs state -11% vs US
1 Bedroom
State avg: $1,182 · US avg: $959
$834/mo
↑ 8.5% YoY -29% vs state -13% vs US
2 Bedroom
State avg: $1,369 · US avg: $1,175
$914/mo
↑ 7.4% YoY -33% vs state -22% vs US
3 Bedroom
State avg: $1,789 · US avg: $1,525
$1,241/mo
↑ 7.7% YoY -31% vs state -19% vs US
4 Bedroom
State avg: $2,128 · US avg: $1,756
$1,252/mo
↑ 1.4% YoY -41% vs state -29% vs US

Year-over-Year Comparison

Bedrooms FY 2025 FY 2026 Change
Studio $736
$792
+$56 (+7.6%)
1 Bedroom $769
$834
+$65 (+8.5%)
2 Bedroom $851
$914
+$63 (+7.4%)
3 Bedroom $1,152
$1,241
+$89 (+7.7%)
4 Bedroom $1,235
$1,252
+$17 (+1.4%)

Affordability Snapshot

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

Required annual income for 1 BR
$33,360
$2,780/month gross
Required annual income for 2 BR
$36,560
$3,047/month gross

Rent Burden Analysis

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

Studio
22.2%
Affordable
Need $31,680/yr for 30% rule
1 Bedroom
23.3%
Affordable
Need $33,360/yr for 30% rule
2 Bedroom
25.6%
Affordable
Need $36,560/yr for 30% rule
3 Bedroom
34.7%
Burdened
Need $49,640/yr for 30% rule
4 Bedroom
35.1%
Burdened
Need $50,080/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.

Grayson County 2-bedroom rent burden

0%100%National avg22%25.6%
Grayson County 2-bedroom rent burden
County median income: $42,864 · National avg burden: 21.7% ·View Virginia rent burden →

Where Grayson sits among every US county

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

$914 higher than 14% 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 Grayson compares on 1-bedroom rent

1-bedroom FMR vs other Virginia counties

1BR FMR / mo

What this shows Grayson 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), Chesterfield County ($1,507), Henrico County ($1,507), Grayson County (this county) ($834).

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

Can Common Jobs Afford Rent Here?

How a 1-bedroom at $834/mo compares to Virginia salaries for popular occupations (BLS wage data, 30%-of-income rule).

Occupation VA Salary Rent Burden Verdict
Software Developers $134,470 7.4% Affordable
General & Operations Managers $121,530 8.2% Affordable
Registered Nurses $88,820 11.3% Affordable
Accountants & Auditors $84,190 11.9% Affordable
Police & Sheriff's Patrol Officers $65,110 15.4% Affordable
Elementary School Teachers $62,270 16.1% Affordable
Electricians $61,610 16.2% Affordable
Paralegals & Legal Assistants $61,200 16.4% Affordable
Heavy & Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $54,500 18.4% Affordable
Pharmacy Technicians $42,490 23.6% Affordable
Customer Service Representatives $39,210 25.5% Affordable
Teaching Assistants $36,650 27.3% Affordable
Janitors & Cleaners $33,970 29.5% Affordable
Retail Salespersons $32,760 30.5% Stretched
Fast Food & Counter Workers $29,060 34.4% Stretched
Salaries: BLS OES (Virginia) median · 30% = affordable threshold · Try the salary calculator →

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

Over the 6-year span HUD has tracked for Grayson (FY 2020-2026), the 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent has risen 33.0% overall, from $627 to $834. Most of that movement was gradual except for a single sharp jump of +14.8% in FY 2024, well above this county's typical year-to-year change.

$600$650$700$750$800$850 FY2020FY2021FY2022FY2023FY2024FY2025FY2026 $834
Grayson County 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent, FY2020–FY2026
Year Studio 1 BR 2 BR
FY 2026 ↑8.5% $792 $834 $914
FY 2025 ↑5.3% $736 $769 $851
FY 2024 ↑14.8% $725 $730 $905
FY 2023 ↑3.2% $588 $636 $793
FY 2022 ↑0.2% $479 $616 $702
FY 2021 ↓1.9% $472 $615 $701
FY 2020 $482 $627 $714
Total change (6yr): +33.0%
Annualized: +4.9%/yr
1 BR: $627 → $834

Where Grayson County Ranks in Virginia

Grayson 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 #11 of 133 counties in Virginia. Nearest by rank: Brunswick County ($914), Buchanan County ($914), Carroll County ($914), Charlotte County ($914), Covington city ($914), Danville city ($914), Dickenson County ($914), Galax city ($914), Grayson County (this county) ($914), Halifax County ($914), Henry County ($914), Highland County ($914), Lee County ($914), Lunenburg County ($914), Martinsville city ($914), Norton city ($914), Patrick County ($914).

Nearby Counties in Virginia

Largest counties by population in Virginia

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average rent in Grayson County?
The FY 2026 Fair Market Rent for a 1-bedroom in Grayson County is $834 per month. A 2-bedroom is $914 and a studio is $792.
How does Grayson County rent compare to the national average?
Rent in Grayson County is 13% below the national average. A 1-bedroom here costs $834 compared to $959 nationally.
What income do I need to afford rent in Grayson County?
Based on the 30% affordability rule, you need an annual income of at least $33,360 ($2,780/month) to afford a 1-bedroom at Fair Market Rent in Grayson County.
Is rent going up or down in Grayson County?
The 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent in Grayson County increased by 8.5% from FY 2025 to FY 2026, going from $769 to $834.
Which jobs can afford rent in Grayson 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 $834/mo. 13 of 15 common occupations are affordable here.
How much has rent changed in Grayson County over time?
The 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent in Grayson County went from $627 in FY 2020 to $834 in FY 2026, a total change of +33.0% over 6 years.
How does Fair Market Rent affect Section 8 vouchers in Grayson County?
In Grayson County, the FY 2026 FMR of $834/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 Grayson County?
For Grayson County, it's the specific 40th-percentile rent HUD publishes each year ($834/mo for a 1-bedroom in FY 2026).

What this means for renters

Treat Grayson'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 $834 implies about $33,360/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 Grayson 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.