County FMR · HUD FY2026

Hillsborough County Fair Market Rent

HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent for Hillsborough County, NH - 74% above the US average.

Compiled by PlainRent Editorial, Fair Market Rent Editorial Team · May 15, 2026

$1,673
1-bedroom FMR: $2,127
2-bedroom FMR: +3.2%
YoY change: +74%
vs US avg

The verdict

Hillsborough is the 3rd most expensive of 10 counties in New Hampshire by 2-bedroom FMR.

#3
most expensive of 10 in New Hampshire (2BR): +15%
vs the state average: $66,920
income to afford it (30% rule): +3.2%
YoY, FY2025→2026

Software Developers spend the smallest share of income on rent here (15.2%), while Fast Food and Counter Workers spend the most (66.2%); only 5 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 Hillsborough County, NH. Verify with HUD →

The Fair Market Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Hillsborough County, New Hampshire is $1,673 per month in FY 2026, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). A 2-bedroom costs $2,127/mo and a studio is $1,467/mo. This is 74% higher than the national average of $959 and 15% above the New Hampshire average of $1,460.

Rent increased3.2% from FY 2025 ($1,621), outpacing inflation. To afford rent here, a household needs at least $66,920/year based on the 30% affordability rule.

FY 2026 HUD Fair Market Rents in New Hampshire. Population: 11,821. Population has held roughly steady over the past five years (+3.3%, Census ACS). That's in line with New Hampshire's statewide growth of +3.3% over the same period.

What these rents mean for Hillsborough County

The Hillsborough County FMR area applies to all ZIP codes inside the county boundary, and New Hampshire'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 74% above the US average of $959 and 15% higher than the New Hampshire state average of $1,460. Year-over-year, the 1-bedroom FMR moved from$1,621 in FY 2025 to $1,673 in FY 2026 - a change of +3.2%, which outpaces typical consumer inflation.

At the FY 2026 1-bedroom FMR of $1,673, affording it under the 30%-of-income rule takes $66,920 per year (about $5,577/month) in household income, and a 2-bedroom at $2,127 pushes that threshold even higher. With a population of 11,821 and a county median household income of $100,436, the arithmetic here directly shapes which wage earners can rent without being cost-burdened.

Fair Market Rents (2026)

Studio

State avg: $1,340 · US avg: $893

$1,467/mo

↑ 0.6% YoY +9% vs state +64% vs US

1 Bedroom

State avg: $1,460 · US avg: $959

$1,673/mo

↑ 3.2% YoY +15% vs state +74% vs US

2 Bedroom

State avg: $1,894 · US avg: $1,175

$2,127/mo

↑ 0.0% YoY +12% vs state +81% vs US

3 Bedroom

State avg: $2,464 · US avg: $1,525

$2,822/mo

↓ 0.1% YoY +15% vs state +85% vs US

4 Bedroom

State avg: $2,665 · US avg: $1,756

$3,001/mo

↑ 0.1% YoY +13% vs state +71% vs US

Year-over-Year Comparison

Bedrooms	FY 2025	FY 2026	Change	vs State	vs US
Studio	$1,458	$1,467	+$9 (+0.6%)	+9%	+64%
1 Bedroom	$1,621	$1,673	+$52 (+3.2%)	+15%	+74%
2 Bedroom	$2,126	$2,127	+$1 (+0.0%)	+12%	+81%
3 Bedroom	$2,824	$2,822	$-2 (-0.1%)	+15%	+85%
4 Bedroom	$2,999	$3,001	+$2 (+0.1%)	+13%	+71%

Affordability Snapshot

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

Required annual income for 1 BR

$66,920

$5,577/month gross

Required annual income for 2 BR

$85,080

$7,090/month gross

Rent Burden Analysis

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

Studio

17.5%

Affordable

Need $58,680/yr for 30% rule

1 Bedroom

20%

Affordable

Need $66,920/yr for 30% rule

2 Bedroom

25.4%

Affordable

Need $85,080/yr for 30% rule

3 Bedroom

33.7%

Burdened

Need $112,880/yr for 30% rule

4 Bedroom

35.9%

Burdened

Need $120,040/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.

Hillsborough County 2-bedroom rent burden

County median income: $100,436 · National avg burden: 21.7% ·View New Hampshire rent burden →

Where Hillsborough sits among every US county

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

$2,127 Top 3% higher than 97% of 3,145 counties

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

Rockingham

$1,730
Strafford

$1,677
Hillsborough

$1,673
Merrimack

$1,504
Cheshire

$1,468
Grafton

$1,455
Belknap

$1,425

What this shows Hillsborough is highlighted. Nearby New Hampshire counties by 1-bedroom FMR, highest to lowest: Rockingham County ($1,730), Strafford County ($1,677), Hillsborough County (this county) ($1,673), Merrimack County ($1,504), Cheshire County ($1,468), Grafton County ($1,455), Belknap County ($1,425).

Can Common Jobs Afford Rent Here?

How a 1-bedroom at $1,673/mo compares to New Hampshire salaries for popular occupations (BLS wage data, 30%-of-income rule).

Occupation	NH Salary	Rent Burden	Verdict
Software Developers	$132,420	15.2%	Affordable
General & Operations Managers	$107,060	18.8%	Affordable
Registered Nurses	$96,830	20.7%	Affordable
Accountants & Auditors	$82,830	24.2%	Affordable
Police & Sheriff's Patrol Officers	$67,620	29.7%	Affordable
Elementary School Teachers	$64,430	31.2%	Stretched
Electricians	$61,990	32.4%	Stretched
Paralegals & Legal Assistants	$60,640	33.1%	Stretched
Heavy & Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers	$58,620	34.2%	Stretched
Customer Service Representatives	$46,960	42.8%	Stretched
Pharmacy Technicians	$45,300	44.3%	Stretched
Janitors & Cleaners	$37,860	53%	Unaffordable
Teaching Assistants	$37,220	53.9%	Unaffordable
Retail Salespersons	$35,440	56.6%	Unaffordable
Fast Food & Counter Workers	$30,320	66.2%	Unaffordable

Salaries: BLS OES (New Hampshire) median · 30% = affordable threshold · Try the salary calculator →

Rent Trends (2020–2026)

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

Over the 6-year span HUD has tracked for Hillsborough (FY 2020-2026), the 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent has risen 61.5% overall, from $1,036 to $1,673. The increases have been fairly steady year to year, with no single jump exceeding 10.7% (FY 2021).

Hillsborough County 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent, FY2020–FY2026

Year	Studio	1 BR	2 BR	3 BR	4 BR
FY 2026 ↑3.2%	$1,467	$1,673	$2,127	$2,822	$3,001
FY 2025 ↑8.9%	$1,458	$1,621	$2,126	$2,824	$2,999
FY 2024 ↑9.2%	$1,326	$1,489	$1,956	$2,528	$2,737
FY 2023 ↑10.3%	$1,201	$1,364	$1,796	$2,304	$2,486
FY 2022 ↑7.8%	$1,082	$1,237	$1,628	$2,087	$2,208
FY 2021 ↑10.7%	$997	$1,147	$1,511	$2,003	$2,049
FY 2020	$889	$1,036	$1,365	$1,833	$1,849

Total change (6yr): +61.5%

Annualized: +8.3%/yr

1 BR: $1,036 → $1,673

Part of the Manchester-Nashua, NH Metro Area

Hillsborough County is a central county of the Manchester-Nashua, NH metropolitan statistical area.

Nearby Counties in New Hampshire

Largest counties by population in New Hampshire

Strafford County

1 BR: $1,677/mo Pop: 9,420

Rockingham County

1 BR: $1,730/mo Pop: 7,222

Belknap County

1 BR: $1,425/mo Pop: 5,953

Merrimack County

1 BR: $1,504/mo Pop: 4,727

Grafton County

1 BR: $1,455/mo Pop: 1,919

Cheshire County

1 BR: $1,468/mo Pop: 1,625

Sullivan County

1 BR: $1,332/mo Pop: 854

Carroll County

1 BR: $1,343/mo Pop: 819

View all counties in New Hampshire →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average rent in Hillsborough County? ▼

The FY 2026 Fair Market Rent for a 1-bedroom in Hillsborough County is $1,673 per month. A 2-bedroom is $2,127 and a studio is $1,467.

How does Hillsborough County rent compare to the national average? ▼

Rent in Hillsborough County is 74% above the national average. A 1-bedroom here costs $1,673 compared to $959 nationally.

What income do I need to afford rent in Hillsborough County? ▼

Based on the 30% affordability rule, you need an annual income of at least $66,920 ($5,577/month) to afford a 1-bedroom at Fair Market Rent in Hillsborough County.

Is rent going up or down in Hillsborough County? ▼

The 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent in Hillsborough County increased by 3.2% from FY 2025 to FY 2026, going from $1,621 to $1,673.

Which jobs can afford rent in Hillsborough County? ▼

Based on New Hampshire BLS salary data and the 30% affordability rule, jobs like Software Developers, General and Operations Managers, Registered Nurses can afford a 1-bedroom at $1,673/mo. 5 of 15 common occupations are affordable here.

How much has rent changed in Hillsborough County over time? ▼

The 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent in Hillsborough County went from $1,036 in FY 2020 to $1,673 in FY 2026, a total change of +61.5% over 6 years.

How does Fair Market Rent affect Section 8 vouchers in Hillsborough County? ▼

In Hillsborough County, the FY 2026 FMR of $1,673/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 Hillsborough County? ▼

For Hillsborough County, it's the specific 40th-percentile rent HUD publishes each year ($1,673/mo for a 1-bedroom in FY 2026).

What this means for renters

Treat Hillsborough'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 $1,673 implies about $66,920/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 Hillsborough 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.