County FMR · HUD FY2026

Lake County Fair Market Rent

HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent for Lake County, OH - 10% above the US average.

$1,058
1-bedroom FMR
$1,279
2-bedroom FMR
+6.3%
YoY change
+10%
vs US avg

The verdict

Lake is the 15th most expensive of 88 counties in Ohio by 2-bedroom FMR; nationally it ranks #786 most expensive of 3,145 HUD counties; rent here has climbed 6.3% since FY 2025, a modest shift relative to most counties.

#786
most expensive of 3,145 US counties (2BR)
#15
most expensive of 88 in Ohio (2BR)
+21%
vs the state average
$42,320
income to afford it (30% rule)

Software Developers spend the smallest share of income on rent here (11.8%), while Fast Food and Counter Workers spend the most (45.2%).

FY 2026 HUD Fair Market Rent for Lake County, OH. Verify with HUD →

Lake County, Ohio carries an FY 2026 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent of $1,058 per month, the federal benchmark HUD publishes for this county. A 2-bedroom costs $1,279/mo and a studio is $933/mo. That's 10% above the national benchmark of $959 and 21% above the Ohio average of $873.

Rent increased6.3% from FY 2025 ($995), outpacing inflation. Under the 30% rule, affordability starts near $42,320/year for a 1-bedroom.

FY 2026 HUD Fair Market Rents in Ohio. Population: 232,236. Population has held roughly steady over the past five years (+0.9%, Census ACS). That's in line with Ohio's statewide growth of +1.2% over the same period.

FMR filing desk

Area LAKE·COUNTY·OH·OH

Lake County, OH: $1,058/mo 1BR · #786 of 3145 counties (2BR) · FY2026

  • FMR-AREA OH
  • 1BR-FMR $1,058
  • 2BR-FMR $1,279
  • RANK-MID #786
  • YOY-SURGE +6.3%
  • VSUS-ABOVE +10%
  • VS-ST-HIGH +21% OH
  • INC-ROOM 16%
  • POP-MID 232K
  • PHOTO-NEAR Franklin County
  • VOUCH-90-110 $952–$1,164
  • FY-2026 FY2026

Photo-finish peer: Franklin ($136 1BR gap)

Read with: How Fair Market Rent works

Fair Market Rents (2026)

Studio
State avg: $816 · US avg: $893
$933/mo
↑ 5.9% YoY +14% vs state +4% vs US
1 Bedroom
State avg: $873 · US avg: $959
$1,058/mo
↑ 6.3% YoY +21% vs state +10% vs US
2 Bedroom
State avg: $1,092 · US avg: $1,175
$1,279/mo
↑ 5.9% YoY +17% vs state +9% vs US
3 Bedroom
State avg: $1,388 · US avg: $1,525
$1,646/mo
↑ 6.0% YoY +19% vs state +8% vs US
4 Bedroom
State avg: $1,550 · US avg: $1,756
$1,760/mo
↑ 5.6% YoY +14% vs state +0% vs US

Year-over-Year Comparison

Bedrooms FY 2025 FY 2026 Change
Studio $881
$933
+$52 (+5.9%)
1 Bedroom $995
$1,058
+$63 (+6.3%)
2 Bedroom $1,208
$1,279
+$71 (+5.9%)
3 Bedroom $1,553
$1,646
+$93 (+6.0%)
4 Bedroom $1,667
$1,760
+$93 (+5.6%)

Rent Burden Analysis

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

Studio
14.4%
Affordable
Need $37,320/yr for 30% rule
1 Bedroom
16.3%
Affordable
Need $42,320/yr for 30% rule
2 Bedroom
19.7%
Affordable
Need $51,160/yr for 30% rule
3 Bedroom
25.3%
Affordable
Need $65,840/yr for 30% rule
4 Bedroom
27.1%
Affordable
Need $70,400/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%19.7%
Lake County 2-bedroom rent burden
County median income: $77,952 · National avg burden: 21.7% ·View Ohio rent burden →

Where Lake sits among every US county

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

$1,279 Top 25% higher than 75% 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 Lake compares on 1-bedroom rent

1-bedroom FMR vs other Ohio counties

1BR FMR / mo

What this shows Lake is highlighted. Nearby Ohio counties by 1-bedroom FMR, highest to lowest: Franklin County ($1,194), Lake County (this county) ($1,058), Cuyahoga County ($1,058), Hamilton County ($1,051), Montgomery County ($1,009), Summit County ($985), Lucas County ($820).

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

Can Common Jobs Afford Rent Here?

How a 1-bedroom at $1,058/mo compares to Ohio salaries for popular occupations (BLS wage data, 30%-of-income rule).

Occupation OH Salary Rent Burden Verdict
Software Developers $107,690 11.8% Affordable
General & Operations Managers $94,990 13.4% Affordable
Registered Nurses $81,250 15.6% Affordable
Accountants & Auditors $77,640 16.4% Affordable
Police & Sheriff's Patrol Officers $77,050 16.5% Affordable
Elementary School Teachers $65,380 19.4% Affordable
Electricians $63,560 20% Affordable
Paralegals & Legal Assistants $58,870 21.6% Affordable
Heavy & Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $58,080 21.9% Affordable
Customer Service Representatives $43,510 29.2% Affordable
Pharmacy Technicians $37,860 33.5% Stretched
Teaching Assistants $35,380 35.9% Stretched
Janitors & Cleaners $34,710 36.6% Stretched
Retail Salespersons $30,440 41.7% Stretched
Fast Food & Counter Workers $28,100 45.2% Stretched
Salaries: BLS OES (Ohio) median · 30% = affordable threshold · Try the salary calculator →

Rent Trends (2020–2026)

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

Over the 6-year span HUD has tracked for Lake (FY 2020-2026), the 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent has risen 53.1% overall, from $691 to $1,058. Most of that movement was gradual except for a single sharp jump of +12.0% in FY 2023, well above this county's typical year-to-year change.

$600$700$800$900$1,000$1,100 FY2020FY2021FY2022FY2023FY2024FY2025FY2026 $1,058
Lake County 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent, FY2020–FY2026
Year Studio 1 BR 2 BR
FY 2026 ↑6.3% $933 $1,058 $1,279
FY 2025 ↑9.0% $881 $995 $1,208
FY 2024 ↑11.3% $811 $913 $1,108
FY 2023 ↑12.0% $719 $820 $998
FY 2022 ↑3.8% $632 $732 $893
FY 2021 ↑2.0% $599 $705 $865
FY 2020 $585 $691 $849
Total change (6yr): +53.1%
Annualized: +7.4%/yr
1 BR: $691 → $1,058

Part of the Cleveland, OH Metro Area

Lake County is a central county of the Cleveland, OH metropolitan statistical area, alongside 5 other metro-area counties.

Lake County ranks #5 of 6 counties in this metro area by 1-bedroom FMR. Every county sharing this metro, highest to lowest: Cuyahoga County ($1,058), Lorain County ($1,058), Medina County ($1,058), Geauga County ($1,058), Lake County (this county) ($1,058), Ashtabula County ($840).

Cuyahoga County
1 BR: $1,058/mo
Lorain County
1 BR: $1,058/mo
Medina County
1 BR: $1,058/mo
Geauga County
1 BR: $1,058/mo
Lake County (this county)
1 BR: $1,058/mo
Ashtabula County
1 BR: $840/mo

Nationwide peers by 2BR FMR & rent burden

Two PlainRent-derived comparison paths for Lake County, both outside Ohio 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 OH (FY2026).

Lewis County
WA · 2 BR $1,279/mo
Taos County
NM · 2 BR $1,279/mo
Lassen County
CA · 2 BR $1,279/mo
Lake County
MN · 2 BR $1,277/mo

Similar rent burden

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

Humboldt County
NV · 19.7% of income · 2 BR $1,312/mo
Adams County
ID · 19.7% of income · 2 BR $973/mo
Garvin County
OK · 19.7% of income · 2 BR $937/mo
Moffat County
CO · 19.7% of income · 2 BR $1,164/mo

Nearby Counties in Ohio

Largest counties by population in Ohio

Showing the 8 largest of 87 other counties in Ohio.

Franklin County
1 BR: $1,194/mo Pop: 1,318,149
Cuyahoga County
1 BR: $1,058/mo Pop: 1,256,620
Hamilton County
1 BR: $1,051/mo Pop: 827,671
Summit County
1 BR: $985/mo Pop: 539,361
Montgomery County
1 BR: $1,009/mo Pop: 536,121
Lucas County
1 BR: $820/mo Pop: 430,014
Butler County
1 BR: $1,051/mo Pop: 388,327
Stark County
1 BR: $846/mo Pop: 374,199
View all counties in Ohio →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average rent in Lake County? ▼
The FY 2026 Fair Market Rent for a 1-bedroom in Lake County is $1,058 per month. A 2-bedroom is $1,279 and a studio is $933.
How does Lake County rent compare to the national average? ▼
Rent in Lake County is 10% above the national average. A 1-bedroom here costs $1,058 compared to $959 nationally.
Where does Lake County rank nationally for Fair Market Rent? ▼
According to HUD's FY 2026 Fair Market Rent schedule, Lake County's 2-bedroom FMR of $1,279 ranks #786 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 Lake County? ▼
Based on the 30% affordability rule, you need an annual income of at least $42,320 ($3,527/month) to afford a 1-bedroom at Fair Market Rent in Lake County.
Is rent going up or down in Lake County? ▼
The 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent in Lake County increased by 6.3% from FY 2025 to FY 2026, going from $995 to $1,058.
Which jobs can afford rent in Lake County? ▼
Based on Ohio BLS salary data and the 30% affordability rule, jobs like Software Developers, General and Operations Managers, Registered Nurses can afford a 1-bedroom at $1,058/mo. 10 of 15 common occupations are affordable here.
How much has rent changed in Lake County over time? ▼
The 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent in Lake County went from $691 in FY 2020 to $1,058 in FY 2026, a total change of +53.1% over 6 years.
How does Fair Market Rent affect Section 8 vouchers in Lake County? ▼
In Lake County, the FY 2026 FMR of $1,058/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 Lake County? ▼
For Lake County, it's the specific 40th-percentile rent HUD publishes each year ($1,058/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.