County FMR · HUD FY2026

Hampshire County Fair Market Rent

HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent for Hampshire County, WV - 31% above the US average.

$1,255
1-bedroom FMR
$1,573
2-bedroom FMR
+0.2%
YoY change
+31%
vs US avg

The verdict

Hampshire is the 1st most expensive of 55 counties in West Virginia by 2-bedroom FMR; nationally it ranks #409 most expensive of 3,145 HUD counties.

#409
most expensive of 3,145 US counties (2BR)
#1
most expensive of 55 in West Virginia (2BR)
+64%
vs the state average
$50,200
income to afford it (30% rule)

Software Developers spend the smallest share of income on rent here (14.5%), while Fast Food and Counter Workers spend the most (60.3%).

FY 2026 HUD Fair Market Rent for Hampshire County, WV. Verify with HUD →

The Fair Market Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Hampshire County, West Virginia is $1,255 per month in FY 2026, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). A 2-bedroom costs $1,573/mo and a studio is $1,133/mo. This is 31% higher than the national average of $959 and 64% above the West Virginia average of $766.

Rent increased0.2% from FY 2025 ($1,253), roughly tracking inflation. A household needs about $50,200/year to stay under the 30% rent-to-income line.

FY 2026 HUD Fair Market Rents in West Virginia. Population: 23,275. Population has held roughly steady over the past five years (-0.1%, Census ACS). That's faster than West Virginia's statewide growth of -2.4% over the same period.

FMR filing desk

Area HAMPSHIRE·COUNTY·WV·WV

Hampshire County, WV: $1,255/mo 1BR · #409 of 3145 counties (2BR) · FY2026

  • FMR-AREA WV
  • 1BR-FMR $1,255
  • 2BR-FMR $1,573
  • RANK-MID #409
  • YOY-FLAT +0.2%
  • VSUS-HIGH +31%
  • VS-ST-HIGH +64% WV
  • INC-MID 25%
  • POP-SMALL 23K
  • PHOTO-NEAR Kanawha County
  • VOUCH-90-110 $1,130–$1,381
  • FY-2026 FY2026

Photo-finish peer: Kanawha ($426 1BR gap)

Read with: Understanding rent burden

Fair Market Rents (2026)

Studio
State avg: $714 · US avg: $893
$1,133/mo
↑ 3.5% YoY +59% vs state +27% vs US
1 Bedroom
State avg: $766 · US avg: $959
$1,255/mo
↑ 0.2% YoY +64% vs state +31% vs US
2 Bedroom
State avg: $945 · US avg: $1,175
$1,573/mo
↑ 0.3% YoY +66% vs state +34% vs US
3 Bedroom
State avg: $1,231 · US avg: $1,525
$1,965/mo
↑ 0.7% YoY +60% vs state +29% vs US
4 Bedroom
State avg: $1,380 · US avg: $1,756
$2,639/mo
↑ 0.2% YoY +91% vs state +50% vs US

Year-over-Year Comparison

Bedrooms FY 2025 FY 2026 Change
Studio $1,095
$1,133
+$38 (+3.5%)
1 Bedroom $1,253
$1,255
+$2 (+0.2%)
2 Bedroom $1,569
$1,573
+$4 (+0.3%)
3 Bedroom $1,952
$1,965
+$13 (+0.7%)
4 Bedroom $2,635
$2,639
+$4 (+0.2%)

Rent Burden Analysis

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

Studio
22.5%
Affordable
Need $45,320/yr for 30% rule
1 Bedroom
25%
Affordable
Need $50,200/yr for 30% rule
2 Bedroom
31.3%
Burdened
Need $62,920/yr for 30% rule
3 Bedroom
39.1%
Burdened
Need $78,600/yr for 30% rule
4 Bedroom
52.5%
Severe
Need $105,560/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%31.3%
Hampshire County 2-bedroom rent burden
County median income: $60,299 · National avg burden: 21.7% ·View West Virginia rent burden →

Where Hampshire sits among every US county

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

$1,573 Top 13% higher than 87% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $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 Hampshire compares on 1-bedroom rent

1-bedroom FMR vs other West Virginia counties

1BR FMR / mo

What this shows Hampshire is highlighted. Nearby West Virginia counties by 1-bedroom FMR, highest to lowest: Hampshire County (this county) ($1,255), Berkeley County ($971), Monongalia County ($877), Cabell County ($853), Kanawha County ($829), Wood County ($745), Raleigh County ($719).

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 $1,255/mo, which of 15 common occupations still clear the 30% line using West Virginia BLS wages?

Occupation WV Salary Rent Burden Verdict
Software Developers $103,550 14.5% Affordable
General & Operations Managers $80,490 18.7% Affordable
Registered Nurses $79,990 18.8% Affordable
Accountants & Auditors $74,520 20.2% Affordable
Electricians $63,850 23.6% Affordable
Elementary School Teachers $55,550 27.1% Affordable
Police & Sheriff's Patrol Officers $54,570 27.6% Affordable
Paralegals & Legal Assistants $49,620 30.4% Stretched
Heavy & Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $49,040 30.7% Stretched
Customer Service Representatives $37,610 40% Stretched
Pharmacy Technicians $37,370 40.3% Stretched
Janitors & Cleaners $30,590 49.2% Stretched
Teaching Assistants $28,220 53.4% Unaffordable
Retail Salespersons $27,910 54% Unaffordable
Fast Food & Counter Workers $24,960 60.3% Unaffordable
Salaries: BLS OES (West Virginia) median · 30% = affordable threshold · Try the salary calculator →

Rent Trends (2020–2026)

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

Over the 6-year span HUD has tracked for Hampshire (FY 2020-2026), the 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent has risen 60.3% overall, from $783 to $1,255. 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$800$1,000$1,200$1,400 FY2020FY2021FY2022FY2023FY2024FY2025FY2026 $1,255
Hampshire County 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent, FY2020–FY2026
Year Studio 1 BR 2 BR
FY 2026 ↑0.2% $1,133 $1,255 $1,573
FY 2025 ↑13.5% $1,095 $1,253 $1,569
FY 2024 ↑14.8% $983 $1,104 $1,390
FY 2023 ↑10.8% $879 $962 $1,227
FY 2022 ↑6.0% $868 $868 $1,117
FY 2021 ↑4.6% $814 $819 $1,064
FY 2020 $778 $783 $1,027
Total change (6yr): +60.3%
Annualized: +8.2%/yr
1 BR: $783 → $1,255

Part of the Winchester, VA-WV Metro Area

Hampshire County is a outlying county of the Winchester, VA-WV metropolitan statistical area, alongside 2 other metro-area counties.

Hampshire County ranks #3 of 3 counties in this metro area by 1-bedroom FMR. Every county sharing this metro, highest to lowest: Frederick County ($1,255), Winchester city ($1,255), Hampshire County (this county) ($1,255).

Frederick County
1 BR: $1,255/mo
Winchester city
1 BR: $1,255/mo
Hampshire County (this county)
1 BR: $1,255/mo

Nationwide peers by 2BR FMR & rent burden

Two PlainRent-derived comparison paths for Hampshire County, both outside West Virginia 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 WV (FY2026).

Harris County
TX · 2 BR $1,573/mo
Fort Bend County
TX · 2 BR $1,573/mo
Monroe County
NY · 2 BR $1,573/mo
Montgomery County
TX · 2 BR $1,573/mo

Similar rent burden

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

Petroleum County
MT · 31.3% of income · 2 BR $1,548/mo
Charlottesville city
VA · 31.3% of income · 2 BR $1,824/mo
Knox County
KY · 31.3% of income · 2 BR $866/mo
Dallas County
TX · 31.3% of income · 2 BR $1,931/mo

Nearby Counties in West Virginia

Largest counties by population in West Virginia

Showing the 8 largest of 54 other counties in West Virginia.

Kanawha County
1 BR: $829/mo Pop: 179,895
Berkeley County
1 BR: $971/mo Pop: 123,283
Monongalia County
1 BR: $877/mo Pop: 105,988
Cabell County
1 BR: $853/mo Pop: 93,965
Wood County
1 BR: $745/mo Pop: 84,272
Raleigh County
1 BR: $719/mo Pop: 74,303
Harrison County
1 BR: $843/mo Pop: 65,862
Mercer County
1 BR: $717/mo Pop: 59,530
View all counties in West Virginia →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average rent in Hampshire County? ▼
The FY 2026 Fair Market Rent for a 1-bedroom in Hampshire County is $1,255 per month. A 2-bedroom is $1,573 and a studio is $1,133.
How does Hampshire County rent compare to the national average? ▼
Rent in Hampshire County is 31% above the national average. A 1-bedroom here costs $1,255 compared to $959 nationally.
Where does Hampshire County rank nationally for Fair Market Rent? ▼
According to HUD's FY 2026 Fair Market Rent schedule, Hampshire County's 2-bedroom FMR of $1,573 ranks #409 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 Hampshire County? ▼
Based on the 30% affordability rule, you need an annual income of at least $50,200 ($4,183/month) to afford a 1-bedroom at Fair Market Rent in Hampshire County.
Is rent going up or down in Hampshire County? ▼
The 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent in Hampshire County increased by 0.2% from FY 2025 to FY 2026, going from $1,253 to $1,255.
Which jobs can afford rent in Hampshire County? ▼
Based on West 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 $1,255/mo. 7 of 15 common occupations are affordable here.
How much has rent changed in Hampshire County over time? ▼
The 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent in Hampshire County went from $783 in FY 2020 to $1,255 in FY 2026, a total change of +60.3% over 6 years.
How does Fair Market Rent affect Section 8 vouchers in Hampshire County? ▼
In Hampshire County, the FY 2026 FMR of $1,255/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 Hampshire County? ▼
For Hampshire County, it's the specific 40th-percentile rent HUD publishes each year ($1,255/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.