County FMR · HUD FY2026

Hertford County Fair Market Rent

HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent for Hertford County, NC - 26% below the US average.

$705
1-bedroom FMR
$925
2-bedroom FMR
-7.0%
YoY change
-26%
vs US avg

The verdict

Hertford is the 10th cheapest of 100 counties in North Carolina by 2-bedroom FMR; nationally it ranks #599 most affordable of 3,145 HUD counties; rent here has fallen 7.0% since FY 2025, a modest shift relative to most counties.

#599
most affordable of 3,145 US counties (2BR)
#10
cheapest of 100 in North Carolina (2BR)
-28%
vs the state average
$28,200
income to afford it (30% rule)

Software Developers spend the smallest share of income on rent here (6.5%), while Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary spend the most (30%); 15 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 Hertford County, NC. Verify with HUD →

The Fair Market Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Hertford County, North Carolina is $705 per month in FY 2026, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). A 2-bedroom costs $925/mo and a studio is $638/mo. This is 26% lower than the national average of $959 and 28% below the North Carolina average of $981.

Rent decreased7.0% from FY 2025 ($758), declining against the trend. The 30% affordability floor is comparatively reachable here at $28,200/year.

FY 2026 HUD Fair Market Rents in North Carolina. Population: 21,633. Population declined 15.2% over the past five years (Census ACS), a trend that can ease rental-market pressure over time even as FMR reflects recent rent levels. That's slower than North Carolina's statewide growth of +4.2% over the same period.

What these rents mean for Hertford 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, Hertford County's 2-bedroom of $925 ranks #599 most affordable of 3,145 US counties, in the lower-rent quarter of HUD counties.

This is a below-average rent market: 1-bedroom FMR is 26% under the US average of $959 and 28% below North Carolina's $981. HUD's 1-bedroom figure shifted from $758 (FY 2025) to $705 (FY 2026), a -7.0% move that deepens an already-cheap market.

A 1-bedroom at $705 needs $28,200/year under the 30% rule against a county median of $47,472, and the median household clears that line with room to spare. A 2-bedroom at $925 is the next step up.

Fair Market Rents (2026)

Studio
State avg: $932 · US avg: $893
$638/mo
↓ 6.5% YoY -32% vs state -29% vs US
1 Bedroom
State avg: $981 · US avg: $959
$705/mo
↓ 7.0% YoY -28% vs state -26% vs US
2 Bedroom
State avg: $1,161 · US avg: $1,175
$925/mo
↓ 7.0% YoY -20% vs state -21% vs US
3 Bedroom
State avg: $1,499 · US avg: $1,525
$1,210/mo
↓ 1.9% YoY -19% vs state -21% vs US
4 Bedroom
State avg: $1,780 · US avg: $1,756
$1,225/mo
↓ 7.1% YoY -31% vs state -30% vs US

Year-over-Year Comparison

Bedrooms FY 2025 FY 2026 Change
Studio $682
$638
$-44 (-6.5%)
1 Bedroom $758
$705
$-53 (-7.0%)
2 Bedroom $995
$925
$-70 (-7.0%)
3 Bedroom $1,233
$1,210
$-23 (-1.9%)
4 Bedroom $1,319
$1,225
$-94 (-7.1%)

Affordability Snapshot

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

Required annual income for 1 BR
$28,200
$2,350/month gross
Required annual income for 2 BR
$37,000
$3,083/month gross

Rent Burden Analysis

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

Studio
16.1%
Affordable
Need $25,520/yr for 30% rule
1 Bedroom
17.8%
Affordable
Need $28,200/yr for 30% rule
2 Bedroom
23.4%
Affordable
Need $37,000/yr for 30% rule
3 Bedroom
30.6%
Burdened
Need $48,400/yr for 30% rule
4 Bedroom
31%
Burdened
Need $49,000/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%23.4%
Hertford County 2-bedroom rent burden
County median income: $47,472 · National avg burden: 21.7% ·View North Carolina rent burden →

Where Hertford sits among every US county

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

$925 higher than 19% 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 Hertford compares on 1-bedroom rent

1-bedroom FMR vs other North Carolina counties

1BR FMR / mo

What this shows Hertford is highlighted. Nearby North Carolina counties by 1-bedroom FMR, highest to lowest: Wake County ($1,596), Mecklenburg County ($1,538), Durham County ($1,507), Guilford County ($1,213), Cumberland County ($1,113), Forsyth County ($1,082), Hertford County (this county) ($705).

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

Can Common Jobs Afford Rent Here?

With a below-average 1-bedroom at $705/mo, most of these North Carolina occupations clear, or miss, the 30% affordability line.

Occupation NC Salary Rent Burden Verdict
Software Developers $131,000 6.5% Affordable
General & Operations Managers $99,190 8.5% Affordable
Registered Nurses $81,860 10.3% Affordable
Accountants & Auditors $80,490 10.5% Affordable
Police & Sheriff's Patrol Officers $58,030 14.6% Affordable
Electricians $54,070 15.6% Affordable
Elementary School Teachers $49,400 17.1% Affordable
Paralegals & Legal Assistants $49,390 17.1% Affordable
Heavy & Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $49,580 17.1% Affordable
Pharmacy Technicians $39,870 21.2% Affordable
Customer Service Representatives $39,530 21.4% Affordable
Janitors & Cleaners $32,630 25.9% Affordable
Retail Salespersons $30,090 28.1% Affordable
Fast Food & Counter Workers $28,760 29.4% Affordable
Teaching Assistants $28,230 30% Affordable
Salaries: BLS OES (North Carolina) median · 30% = affordable threshold · Try the salary calculator →

Rent Trends (2020–2026)

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

Over the 6-year span HUD has tracked for Hertford (FY 2020-2026), the 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent has risen 24.6% overall, from $566 to $705. The increases have been fairly steady year to year, with no single jump exceeding 7.8% (FY 2024).

$550$600$650$700$750$800 FY2020FY2021FY2022FY2023FY2024FY2025FY2026 $705
Hertford County 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent, FY2020–FY2026
Year Studio 1 BR 2 BR
FY 2026 ↓7.0% $638 $705 $925
FY 2025 ↑5.4% $682 $758 $995
FY 2024 ↑7.8% $661 $719 $945
FY 2023 ↑7.1% $640 $667 $878
FY 2022 ↑6.9% $619 $623 $820
FY 2021 ↑3.0% $579 $583 $768
FY 2020 $562 $566 $745
Total change (6yr): +24.6%
Annualized: +3.7%/yr
1 BR: $566 → $705

Where Hertford County Ranks in North Carolina

Hertford 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 #10 of 100 counties in North Carolina. Nearest by rank: Beaufort County ($925), Bladen County ($925), Caswell County ($925), Cleveland County ($925), Columbus County ($925), Graham County ($925), Greene County ($925), Halifax County ($925), Hertford County (this county) ($925), Jones County ($925), Lenoir County ($925), Martin County ($925), McDowell County ($925), Mitchell County ($925), Montgomery County ($925), Richmond County ($925), Robeson County ($925).

Beaufort County
2 BR: $925/mo
Bladen County
2 BR: $925/mo
Caswell County
2 BR: $925/mo
Cleveland County
2 BR: $925/mo
Columbus County
2 BR: $925/mo
Graham County
2 BR: $925/mo
Greene County
2 BR: $925/mo
Halifax County
2 BR: $925/mo
Hertford County (this county)
2 BR: $925/mo
Jones County
2 BR: $925/mo
Lenoir County
2 BR: $925/mo
Martin County
2 BR: $925/mo
McDowell County
2 BR: $925/mo
Mitchell County
2 BR: $925/mo
Montgomery County
2 BR: $925/mo
Richmond County
2 BR: $925/mo
Robeson County
2 BR: $925/mo

Nearby Counties in North Carolina

Largest counties by population in North Carolina

Wake County
1 BR: $1,596/mo Pop: 1,132,103
Mecklenburg County
1 BR: $1,538/mo Pop: 1,115,403
Guilford County
1 BR: $1,213/mo Pop: 539,557
Forsyth County
1 BR: $1,082/mo Pop: 383,739
Cumberland County
1 BR: $1,113/mo Pop: 335,207
Durham County
1 BR: $1,507/mo Pop: 325,101
Buncombe County
1 BR: $1,429/mo Pop: 269,449
Union County
1 BR: $1,538/mo Pop: 240,109
View all counties in North Carolina →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average rent in Hertford County? ▼
The FY 2026 Fair Market Rent for a 1-bedroom in Hertford County is $705 per month. A 2-bedroom is $925 and a studio is $638.
How does Hertford County rent compare to the national average? ▼
Rent in Hertford County is 26% below the national average. A 1-bedroom here costs $705 compared to $959 nationally.
Where does Hertford County rank nationally for Fair Market Rent? ▼
According to HUD's FY 2026 Fair Market Rent schedule, Hertford County's 2-bedroom FMR of $925 ranks #599 most affordable among 3,145 HUD counties, placing it in the lower-rent quarter of HUD counties.
What income do I need to afford rent in Hertford County? ▼
Based on the 30% affordability rule, you need an annual income of at least $28,200 ($2,350/month) to afford a 1-bedroom at Fair Market Rent in Hertford County.
Is rent going up or down in Hertford County? ▼
The 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent in Hertford County decreased by 7.0% from FY 2025 to FY 2026, going from $758 to $705.
Which jobs can afford rent in Hertford County? ▼
Based on North Carolina BLS salary data and the 30% affordability rule, jobs like Software Developers, General and Operations Managers, Registered Nurses can afford a 1-bedroom at $705/mo. 15 of 15 common occupations are affordable here.
How much has rent changed in Hertford County over time? ▼
The 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent in Hertford County went from $566 in FY 2020 to $705 in FY 2026, a total change of +24.6% over 6 years.
How does Fair Market Rent affect Section 8 vouchers in Hertford County? ▼
In Hertford County, the FY 2026 FMR of $705/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 Hertford County? ▼
For Hertford County, it's the specific 40th-percentile rent HUD publishes each year ($705/mo for a 1-bedroom in FY 2026).

What this means for renters

Treat Hertford'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 $705 implies about $28,200/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 Hertford 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.