County FMR · HUD FY2026

Harrisonburg city Fair Market Rent

HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent for Harrisonburg city, VA - 10% above the US average.

$1,057
1-bedroom FMR
$1,322
2-bedroom FMR
-2.8%
YoY change
+10%
vs US avg

The verdict

Harrisonburg city is the 56th most expensive of 133 counties in Virginia by 2-bedroom FMR; nationally it ranks #723 most expensive of 3,145 HUD counties.

#723
most expensive of 3,145 US counties (2BR)
#56
most expensive of 133 in Virginia (2BR)
-11%
vs the state average
$42,280
income to afford it (30% rule)

Software Developers spend the smallest share of income on rent here (9.4%), while Fast Food and Counter Workers spend the most (43.6%).

FY 2026 HUD Fair Market Rent for Harrisonburg city, VA. Verify with HUD →

Harrisonburg city, Virginia carries an FY 2026 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent of $1,057 per month, the federal benchmark HUD publishes for this county. A 2-bedroom costs $1,322/mo and a studio is $1,050/mo. That's 10% above the national benchmark of $959 and 11% below the Virginia average of $1,182.

Rent decreased2.8% from FY 2025 ($1,088), declining against the trend. Under the 30% rule, affordability starts near $42,280/year for a 1-bedroom.

FY 2026 HUD Fair Market Rents in Virginia. Population: 51,784. Population has held roughly steady over the past five years (-3.6%, Census ACS). That's slower than Virginia's statewide growth of +2.9% over the same period.

What these rents mean for Harrisonburg city

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, Harrisonburg city's 2-bedroom of $1,322 ranks #723 most expensive of 3,145 US counties, in the upper-rent quarter of HUD counties.

Harrisonburg city's 1-bedroom FMR tracks close to the national mid-point (10% above the US average of $959), while sitting 11% below the Virginia average of $1,182. The 1-bedroom FMR went from$1,088 in FY 2025 to $1,057 in FY 2026, a change of -2.8%, which suggests softening demand or revised HUD sampling.

At the FY 2026 1-bedroom FMR of $1,057, the 30% rule points to $42,280/year (about $3,523/month) versus this county's median household income of $59,752. A 2-bedroom at $1,322 pushes the threshold higher.

Fair Market Rents (2026)

Studio
State avg: $1,137 · US avg: $893
$1,050/mo
↓ 2.9% YoY -8% vs state +18% vs US
1 Bedroom
State avg: $1,182 · US avg: $959
$1,057/mo
↓ 2.8% YoY -11% vs state +10% vs US
2 Bedroom
State avg: $1,369 · US avg: $1,175
$1,322/mo
↓ 5.0% YoY -3% vs state +13% vs US
3 Bedroom
State avg: $1,789 · US avg: $1,525
$1,801/mo
↓ 4.4% YoY +1% vs state +18% vs US
4 Bedroom
State avg: $2,128 · US avg: $1,756
$2,125/mo
↓ 8.2% YoY -0% vs state +21% vs US

Year-over-Year Comparison

Bedrooms FY 2025 FY 2026 Change
Studio $1,081
$1,050
$-31 (-2.9%)
1 Bedroom $1,088
$1,057
$-31 (-2.8%)
2 Bedroom $1,392
$1,322
$-70 (-5.0%)
3 Bedroom $1,883
$1,801
$-82 (-4.4%)
4 Bedroom $2,314
$2,125
$-189 (-8.2%)

Affordability Snapshot

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

Required annual income for 1 BR
$42,280
$3,523/month gross
Required annual income for 2 BR
$52,880
$4,407/month gross

Rent Burden Analysis

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

Studio
21.1%
Affordable
Need $42,000/yr for 30% rule
1 Bedroom
21.2%
Affordable
Need $42,280/yr for 30% rule
2 Bedroom
26.5%
Affordable
Need $52,880/yr for 30% rule
3 Bedroom
36.2%
Burdened
Need $72,040/yr for 30% rule
4 Bedroom
42.7%
Burdened
Need $85,000/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%26.5%
Harrisonburg city 2-bedroom rent burden
County median income: $59,752 · National avg burden: 21.7% ·View Virginia rent burden →

Where Harrisonburg city sits among every US county

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

$1,322 Top 23% higher than 77% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $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 Harrisonburg city compares on 1-bedroom rent

1-bedroom FMR vs other Virginia counties

1BR FMR / mo

What this shows Harrisonburg city 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), Harrisonburg city (this county) ($1,057).

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

Can Common Jobs Afford Rent Here?

How a 1-bedroom at $1,057/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 9.4% Affordable
General & Operations Managers $121,530 10.4% Affordable
Registered Nurses $88,820 14.3% Affordable
Accountants & Auditors $84,190 15.1% Affordable
Police & Sheriff's Patrol Officers $65,110 19.5% Affordable
Elementary School Teachers $62,270 20.4% Affordable
Electricians $61,610 20.6% Affordable
Paralegals & Legal Assistants $61,200 20.7% Affordable
Heavy & Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $54,500 23.3% Affordable
Pharmacy Technicians $42,490 29.9% Affordable
Customer Service Representatives $39,210 32.3% Stretched
Teaching Assistants $36,650 34.6% Stretched
Janitors & Cleaners $33,970 37.3% Stretched
Retail Salespersons $32,760 38.7% Stretched
Fast Food & Counter Workers $29,060 43.6% Stretched
Salaries: BLS OES (Virginia) median · 30% = affordable threshold · Try the salary calculator →

Rent Trends (2020–2026)

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

Over the 6-year span HUD has tracked for Harrisonburg city (FY 2020-2026), the 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent has risen 54.3% overall, from $685 to $1,057. Most of that movement was gradual except for a single sharp jump of +18.8% in FY 2024, well above this county's typical year-to-year change.

$600$700$800$900$1,000$1,100$1,200 FY2020FY2021FY2022FY2023FY2024FY2025FY2026 $1,057
Harrisonburg city 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent, FY2020–FY2026
Year Studio 1 BR 2 BR
FY 2026 ↓2.8% $1,050 $1,057 $1,322
FY 2025 ↑17.4% $1,081 $1,088 $1,392
FY 2024 ↑18.8% $921 $927 $1,203
FY 2023 ↑7.9% $775 $780 $1,027
FY 2022 ↑2.8% $718 $723 $951
FY 2021 ↑2.6% $699 $703 $927
FY 2020 $680 $685 $902
Total change (6yr): +54.3%
Annualized: +7.5%/yr
1 BR: $685 → $1,057

Part of the Harrisonburg, VA Metro Area

Harrisonburg city is a central county of the Harrisonburg, VA metropolitan statistical area, alongside 1 other metro-area county.

Harrisonburg city ranks #2 of 2 counties in this metro area by 1-bedroom FMR. Every county sharing this metro, highest to lowest: Rockingham County ($1,057), Harrisonburg city (this county) ($1,057).

Rockingham County
1 BR: $1,057/mo
Harrisonburg city (this county)
1 BR: $1,057/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 Harrisonburg city? ▼
The FY 2026 Fair Market Rent for a 1-bedroom in Harrisonburg city is $1,057 per month. A 2-bedroom is $1,322 and a studio is $1,050.
How does Harrisonburg city rent compare to the national average? ▼
Rent in Harrisonburg city is 10% above the national average. A 1-bedroom here costs $1,057 compared to $959 nationally.
Where does Harrisonburg city rank nationally for Fair Market Rent? ▼
According to HUD's FY 2026 Fair Market Rent schedule, Harrisonburg city's 2-bedroom FMR of $1,322 ranks #723 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 Harrisonburg city? ▼
Based on the 30% affordability rule, you need an annual income of at least $42,280 ($3,523/month) to afford a 1-bedroom at Fair Market Rent in Harrisonburg city.
Is rent going up or down in Harrisonburg city? ▼
The 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent in Harrisonburg city decreased by 2.8% from FY 2025 to FY 2026, going from $1,088 to $1,057.
Which jobs can afford rent in Harrisonburg city? ▼
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 $1,057/mo. 10 of 15 common occupations are affordable here.
How much has rent changed in Harrisonburg city over time? ▼
The 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent in Harrisonburg city went from $685 in FY 2020 to $1,057 in FY 2026, a total change of +54.3% over 6 years.
How does Fair Market Rent affect Section 8 vouchers in Harrisonburg city? ▼
In Harrisonburg city, the FY 2026 FMR of $1,057/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 Harrisonburg city? ▼
For Harrisonburg city, it's the specific 40th-percentile rent HUD publishes each year ($1,057/mo for a 1-bedroom in FY 2026).

What this means for renters

Treat Harrisonburg city'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 $1,057 implies about $42,280/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 Harrisonburg city 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.