County FMR · HUD FY2026

Lexington city Fair Market Rent

HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent for Lexington city, VA - 4% below the US average.

$917
1-bedroom FMR
$1,005
2-bedroom FMR
+12.9%
YoY change
-4%
vs US avg

The verdict

Lexington city is the 39th cheapest of 133 counties in Virginia by 2-bedroom FMR; nationally it ranks #1,448 most affordable of 3,145 HUD counties; rent here has climbed 12.9% since FY 2025, a sharp move relative to most counties.

#1,448
most affordable of 3,145 US counties (2BR)
#39
cheapest of 133 in Virginia (2BR)
-22%
vs the state average
$36,680
income to afford it (30% rule)

Software Developers spend the smallest share of income on rent here (8.2%), while Fast Food and Counter Workers spend the most (37.9%).

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

The Fair Market Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Lexington city, Virginia is $917 per month in FY 2026, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). A 2-bedroom costs $1,005/mo and a studio is $870/mo. This is 4% lower than the national average of $959 and 22% below the Virginia average of $1,182.

Rent increased12.9% from FY 2025 ($812), outpacing inflation. Under the 30% rule, affordability starts near $36,680/year for a 1-bedroom.

Observed renter burden: 43.7% of the 996 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 Virginia. Population: 7,346. Population has held roughly steady over the past five years (+4.4%, Census ACS). That's faster than Virginia's statewide growth of +2.9% over the same period.

FMR filing desk

Area LEXINGTON·CITY·VA·VA

Lexington city, VA: $917/mo 1BR · #1448 of 3145 counties (2BR) · FY2026

  • FMR-AREA VA
  • 1BR-FMR $917
  • 2BR-FMR $1,005
  • RANK-MID #1,448
  • YOY-SURGE +12.9%
  • VSUS-NEAR -4%
  • VS-ST-LOW -22% VA
  • INC-ROOM 12%
  • POP-SMALL 7K
  • PHOTO-NEAR Fairfax County
  • VOUCH-90-110 $825–$1,009
  • FY-2026 FY2026

Photo-finish peer: Fairfax ($1,098 1BR gap)

Read with: How Fair Market Rent works

Fair Market Rents (2026)

Studio
State avg: $1,137 · US avg: $893
$870/mo
↑ 12.0% YoY -23% vs state -3% vs US
1 Bedroom
State avg: $1,182 · US avg: $959
$917/mo
↑ 12.9% YoY -22% vs state -4% vs US
2 Bedroom
State avg: $1,369 · US avg: $1,175
$1,005/mo
↑ 11.8% YoY -27% vs state -14% vs US
3 Bedroom
State avg: $1,789 · US avg: $1,525
$1,398/mo
↑ 11.0% YoY -22% vs state -8% vs US
4 Bedroom
State avg: $2,128 · US avg: $1,756
$1,686/mo
↑ 11.7% YoY -21% vs state -4% vs US

Year-over-Year Comparison

Bedrooms FY 2025 FY 2026 Change
Studio $777
$870
+$93 (+12.0%)
1 Bedroom $812
$917
+$105 (+12.9%)
2 Bedroom $899
$1,005
+$106 (+11.8%)
3 Bedroom $1,260
$1,398
+$138 (+11.0%)
4 Bedroom $1,510
$1,686
+$176 (+11.7%)

Rent Burden Analysis

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

Studio
11.7%
Affordable
Need $34,800/yr for 30% rule
1 Bedroom
12.3%
Affordable
Need $36,680/yr for 30% rule
2 Bedroom
13.5%
Affordable
Need $40,200/yr for 30% rule
3 Bedroom
18.7%
Affordable
Need $55,920/yr for 30% rule
4 Bedroom
22.6%
Affordable
Need $67,440/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%13.5%
Lexington city 2-bedroom rent burden
County median income: $89,598 · National avg burden: 21.7% ·View Virginia rent burden →

Where Lexington city sits among every US county

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

$1,005 higher than 46% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $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 Lexington city compares on 1-bedroom rent

1-bedroom FMR vs other Virginia counties

1BR FMR / mo

What this shows Lexington 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), Lexington city (this county) ($917).

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

Can Common Jobs Afford Rent Here?

How a 1-bedroom at $917/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 8.2% Affordable
General & Operations Managers $121,530 9.1% Affordable
Registered Nurses $88,820 12.4% Affordable
Accountants & Auditors $84,190 13.1% Affordable
Police & Sheriff's Patrol Officers $65,110 16.9% Affordable
Elementary School Teachers $62,270 17.7% Affordable
Electricians $61,610 17.9% Affordable
Paralegals & Legal Assistants $61,200 18% Affordable
Heavy & Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $54,500 20.2% Affordable
Pharmacy Technicians $42,490 25.9% Affordable
Customer Service Representatives $39,210 28.1% Affordable
Teaching Assistants $36,650 30% Affordable
Janitors & Cleaners $33,970 32.4% Stretched
Retail Salespersons $32,760 33.6% Stretched
Fast Food & Counter Workers $29,060 37.9% Stretched
Salaries: BLS OES (Virginia) median · 30% = affordable threshold · Try the salary calculator →

Rent Trends (2020–2026)

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

Over the 6-year span HUD has tracked for Lexington city (FY 2020-2026), the 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent has risen 37.9% overall, from $665 to $917. The path there hasn't been smooth: year-over-year moves have swung by as much as 14.6% (FY 2024), a volatility pattern that makes single-year comparisons a poor guide to the underlying trend.

$600$700$800$900$1,000 FY2020FY2021FY2022FY2023FY2024FY2025FY2026 $917
Lexington city 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent, FY2020–FY2026
Year Studio 1 BR 2 BR
FY 2026 ↑12.9% $870 $917 $1,005
FY 2025 ↓3.6% $777 $812 $899
FY 2024 ↑14.6% $772 $842 $945
FY 2023 ↑11.4% $615 $735 $830
FY 2022 ↑6.5% $520 $660 $762
FY 2021 ↓6.8% $508 $620 $770
FY 2020 $519 $665 $797
Total change (6yr): +37.9%
Annualized: +5.5%/yr
1 BR: $665 → $917

Where Lexington city Ranks in Virginia

Lexington city 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 #39 of 133 counties in Virginia. Nearest by rank: Buckingham County ($959), Nottoway County ($975), Bath County ($977), Giles County ($984), Cumberland County ($997), Emporia city ($1,001), Greensville County ($1,001), Buena Vista city ($1,005), Lexington city (this county) ($1,005), Rockbridge County ($1,005), Surry County ($1,039), Bristol city ($1,044), Scott County ($1,044), Washington County ($1,044), Franklin city ($1,051), Southampton County ($1,051), Lancaster County ($1,052).

Buckingham County
2 BR: $959/mo
Nottoway County
2 BR: $975/mo
Bath County
2 BR: $977/mo
Giles County
2 BR: $984/mo
Cumberland County
2 BR: $997/mo
Emporia city
2 BR: $1,001/mo
Greensville County
2 BR: $1,001/mo
Buena Vista city
2 BR: $1,005/mo
Lexington city (this county)
2 BR: $1,005/mo
Rockbridge County
2 BR: $1,005/mo
Surry County
2 BR: $1,039/mo
Bristol city
2 BR: $1,044/mo
Scott County
2 BR: $1,044/mo
Washington County
2 BR: $1,044/mo
Franklin city
2 BR: $1,051/mo
Southampton County
2 BR: $1,051/mo
Lancaster County
2 BR: $1,052/mo

Nationwide peers by 2BR FMR & rent burden

Two PlainRent-derived comparison paths for Lexington city, both outside Virginia 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 VA (FY2026).

Avery County
NC · 2 BR $1,005/mo
York County
NE · 2 BR $1,005/mo
Grady County
OK · 2 BR $1,004/mo
Stephens County
GA · 2 BR $1,006/mo

Similar rent burden

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

Lincoln County
WY · 13.4% of income · 2 BR $963/mo
Gray County
KS · 13.5% of income · 2 BR $877/mo
Hamlin County
SD · 13.4% of income · 2 BR $929/mo
Benton County
IA · 13.5% of income · 2 BR $956/mo

Nearby Counties in Virginia

Largest counties by population in Virginia

Showing the 8 largest of 132 other counties 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 Lexington city? ▼
The FY 2026 Fair Market Rent for a 1-bedroom in Lexington city is $917 per month. A 2-bedroom is $1,005 and a studio is $870.
How does Lexington city rent compare to the national average? ▼
Rent in Lexington city is 4% below the national average. A 1-bedroom here costs $917 compared to $959 nationally.
Where does Lexington city rank nationally for Fair Market Rent? ▼
According to HUD's FY 2026 Fair Market Rent schedule, Lexington city's 2-bedroom FMR of $1,005 ranks #1,448 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 Lexington city? ▼
Based on the 30% affordability rule, you need an annual income of at least $36,680 ($3,057/month) to afford a 1-bedroom at Fair Market Rent in Lexington city.
Is rent going up or down in Lexington city? ▼
The 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent in Lexington city increased by 12.9% from FY 2025 to FY 2026, going from $812 to $917.
Which jobs can afford rent in Lexington 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 $917/mo. 12 of 15 common occupations are affordable here.
How much has rent changed in Lexington city over time? ▼
The 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent in Lexington city went from $665 in FY 2020 to $917 in FY 2026, a total change of +37.9% over 6 years.
How does Fair Market Rent affect Section 8 vouchers in Lexington city? ▼
In Lexington city, the FY 2026 FMR of $917/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 Lexington city? ▼
For Lexington city, it's the specific 40th-percentile rent HUD publishes each year ($917/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.