County FMR · HUD FY2026

Leon County Fair Market Rent

HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent for Leon County, TX - 19% below the US average.

$778
1-bedroom FMR
$973
2-bedroom FMR
+9.4%
YoY change
-19%
vs US avg

The verdict

Leon is the 42nd cheapest of 254 counties in Texas by 2-bedroom FMR; nationally it ranks #976 most affordable of 3,145 HUD counties; rent here has climbed 9.4% since FY 2025, a modest shift relative to most counties.

#976
most affordable of 3,145 US counties (2BR)
#42
cheapest of 254 in Texas (2BR)
-17%
vs the state average
$31,120
income to afford it (30% rule)

Software Developers spend the smallest share of income on rent here (7.2%), while Fast Food and Counter Workers spend the most (34.6%).

FY 2026 HUD Fair Market Rent for Leon County, TX. Verify with HUD →

Leon County, Texas carries an FY 2026 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent of $778 per month, the federal benchmark HUD publishes for this county. A 2-bedroom costs $973/mo and a studio is $773/mo. That's 19% below the national benchmark of $959 and 17% below the Texas average of $935.

Rent increased9.4% from FY 2025 ($711), outpacing inflation. The 30% affordability floor is comparatively reachable here at $31,120/year.

Observed renter burden: 25.1% of the 1,504 renter households counted by ACS paid at least 30% of income in gross rent. This ACS 2023 household measure is distinct from HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent benchmark above.

FY 2026 HUD Fair Market Rents in Texas. Population: 15,928. Population declined 6.0% 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 Texas's statewide growth of +6.3% over the same period.

FMR filing desk

Area LEON·COUNTY·TX·TX

Leon County, TX: $778/mo 1BR · #976 of 3145 counties (2BR) · FY2026

  • FMR-AREA TX
  • 1BR-FMR $778
  • 2BR-FMR $973
  • RANK-MID #976
  • YOY-SURGE +9.4%
  • VSUS-BELOW -19%
  • VS-ST-LOW -17% TX
  • INC-ROOM 16%
  • POP-SMALL 16K
  • PHOTO-NEAR Harris County
  • VOUCH-90-110 $700–$856
  • FY-2026 FY2026

Photo-finish peer: Harris ($545 1BR gap)

Read with: Section 8 housing guide

Fair Market Rents (2026)

Studio
State avg: $887 · US avg: $893
$773/mo
↑ 19.7% YoY -13% vs state -13% vs US
1 Bedroom
State avg: $935 · US avg: $959
$778/mo
↑ 9.4% YoY -17% vs state -19% vs US
2 Bedroom
State avg: $1,149 · US avg: $1,175
$973/mo
↑ 4.3% YoY -15% vs state -17% vs US
3 Bedroom
State avg: $1,497 · US avg: $1,525
$1,283/mo
↑ 4.1% YoY -14% vs state -16% vs US
4 Bedroom
State avg: $1,733 · US avg: $1,756
$1,288/mo
↑ 4.1% YoY -26% vs state -27% vs US

Year-over-Year Comparison

Bedrooms FY 2025 FY 2026 Change
Studio $646
$773
+$127 (+19.7%)
1 Bedroom $711
$778
+$67 (+9.4%)
2 Bedroom $933
$973
+$40 (+4.3%)
3 Bedroom $1,232
$1,283
+$51 (+4.1%)
4 Bedroom $1,237
$1,288
+$51 (+4.1%)

Rent Burden Analysis

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

Studio
15.5%
Affordable
Need $30,920/yr for 30% rule
1 Bedroom
15.6%
Affordable
Need $31,120/yr for 30% rule
2 Bedroom
19.5%
Affordable
Need $38,920/yr for 30% rule
3 Bedroom
25.7%
Affordable
Need $51,320/yr for 30% rule
4 Bedroom
25.8%
Affordable
Need $51,520/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%19.5%
Leon County 2-bedroom rent burden
County median income: $59,975 · National avg burden: 21.7% ·View Texas rent burden →

Where Leon sits among every US county

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

$973 higher than 31% 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 Leon compares on 1-bedroom rent

1-bedroom FMR vs other Texas counties

1BR FMR / mo

What this shows Leon is highlighted. Nearby Texas counties by 1-bedroom FMR, highest to lowest: Dallas County ($1,648), Collin County ($1,648), Travis County ($1,562), Tarrant County ($1,473), Harris County ($1,323), Bexar County ($1,177), Leon County (this county) ($778).

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 $778/mo, most of these Texas occupations clear, or miss, the 30% affordability line.

Occupation TX Salary Rent Burden Verdict
Software Developers $130,500 7.2% Affordable
General & Operations Managers $100,290 9.3% Affordable
Registered Nurses $90,010 10.4% Affordable
Accountants & Auditors $80,000 11.7% Affordable
Police & Sheriff's Patrol Officers $76,350 12.2% Affordable
Elementary School Teachers $61,380 15.2% Affordable
Paralegals & Legal Assistants $59,700 15.6% Affordable
Electricians $56,920 16.4% Affordable
Heavy & Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $53,070 17.6% Affordable
Pharmacy Technicians $43,920 21.3% Affordable
Customer Service Representatives $39,100 23.9% Affordable
Janitors & Cleaners $31,230 29.9% Affordable
Retail Salespersons $30,130 31% Stretched
Teaching Assistants $27,630 33.8% Stretched
Fast Food & Counter Workers $27,000 34.6% Stretched
Salaries: BLS OES (Texas) median · 30% = affordable threshold · Try the salary calculator →

Rent Trends (2020–2026)

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

Over the 6-year span HUD has tracked for Leon (FY 2020-2026), the 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent has risen 33.2% overall, from $584 to $778. Most of that movement was gradual except for a single sharp jump of +12.9% in FY 2023, well above this county's typical year-to-year change.

$500$550$600$650$700$750$800 FY2020FY2021FY2022FY2023FY2024FY2025FY2026 $778
Leon County 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent, FY2020–FY2026
Year Studio 1 BR 2 BR
FY 2026 ↑9.4% $773 $778 $973
FY 2025 ↑0.7% $646 $711 $933
FY 2024 ↑5.8% $629 $706 $928
FY 2023 ↑12.9% $662 $667 $878
FY 2022 ↑6.1% $576 $591 $778
FY 2021 ↓4.6% $538 $557 $734
FY 2020 $529 $584 $714
Total change (6yr): +33.2%
Annualized: +4.9%/yr
1 BR: $584 → $778

Where Leon County Ranks in Texas

Leon 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 #42 of 254 counties in Texas. Nearest by rank: Jack County ($973), Jasper County ($973), Jim Hogg County ($973), Jim Wells County ($973), Kimble County ($973), Knox County ($973), Lamar County ($973), Lamb County ($973), Leon County (this county) ($973), Limestone County ($973), Lipscomb County ($973), Madison County ($973), Marion County ($973), Maverick County ($973), Menard County ($973), Mills County ($973), Morris County ($973).

Jack County
2 BR: $973/mo
Jasper County
2 BR: $973/mo
Jim Hogg County
2 BR: $973/mo
Jim Wells County
2 BR: $973/mo
Kimble County
2 BR: $973/mo
Knox County
2 BR: $973/mo
Lamar County
2 BR: $973/mo
Lamb County
2 BR: $973/mo
Leon County (this county)
2 BR: $973/mo
Limestone County
2 BR: $973/mo
Lipscomb County
2 BR: $973/mo
Madison County
2 BR: $973/mo
Marion County
2 BR: $973/mo
Maverick County
2 BR: $973/mo
Menard County
2 BR: $973/mo
Mills County
2 BR: $973/mo
Morris County
2 BR: $973/mo

Nationwide peers by 2BR FMR & rent burden

Two PlainRent-derived comparison paths for Leon County, both outside Texas 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 TX (FY2026).

Mahoning County
OH · 2 BR $973/mo
Trumbull County
OH · 2 BR $973/mo
Richland County
OH · 2 BR $973/mo
Columbiana County
OH · 2 BR $973/mo

Similar rent burden

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

Logan County
AR · 19.5% of income · 2 BR $880/mo
Montgomery County
PA · 19.5% of income · 2 BR $1,810/mo
Sangamon County
IL · 19.5% of income · 2 BR $1,203/mo
York County
PA · 19.5% of income · 2 BR $1,335/mo

Nearby Counties in Texas

Largest counties by population in Texas

Showing the 8 largest of 253 other counties in Texas.

Harris County
1 BR: $1,323/mo Pop: 4,726,177
Dallas County
1 BR: $1,648/mo Pop: 2,604,053
Tarrant County
1 BR: $1,473/mo Pop: 2,113,854
Bexar County
1 BR: $1,177/mo Pop: 2,014,059
Travis County
1 BR: $1,562/mo Pop: 1,289,054
Collin County
1 BR: $1,648/mo Pop: 1,079,153
Denton County
1 BR: $1,648/mo Pop: 914,870
Hidalgo County
1 BR: $847/mo Pop: 873,167
View all counties in Texas →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average rent in Leon County? ▼
The FY 2026 Fair Market Rent for a 1-bedroom in Leon County is $778 per month. A 2-bedroom is $973 and a studio is $773.
How does Leon County rent compare to the national average? ▼
Rent in Leon County is 19% below the national average. A 1-bedroom here costs $778 compared to $959 nationally.
Where does Leon County rank nationally for Fair Market Rent? ▼
According to HUD's FY 2026 Fair Market Rent schedule, Leon County's 2-bedroom FMR of $973 ranks #976 most affordable among 3,145 HUD counties, placing it in the middle half of HUD counties.
What income do I need to afford rent in Leon County? ▼
Based on the 30% affordability rule, you need an annual income of at least $31,120 ($2,593/month) to afford a 1-bedroom at Fair Market Rent in Leon County.
Is rent going up or down in Leon County? ▼
The 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent in Leon County increased by 9.4% from FY 2025 to FY 2026, going from $711 to $778.
Which jobs can afford rent in Leon County? ▼
Based on Texas BLS salary data and the 30% affordability rule, jobs like Software Developers, General and Operations Managers, Registered Nurses can afford a 1-bedroom at $778/mo. 12 of 15 common occupations are affordable here.
How much has rent changed in Leon County over time? ▼
The 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent in Leon County went from $584 in FY 2020 to $778 in FY 2026, a total change of +33.2% over 6 years.
How does Fair Market Rent affect Section 8 vouchers in Leon County? ▼
In Leon County, the FY 2026 FMR of $778/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 Leon County? ▼
For Leon County, it's the specific 40th-percentile rent HUD publishes each year ($778/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.