County FMR · HUD FY2026

Madison County Fair Market Rent

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

$713
1-bedroom FMR
$935
2-bedroom FMR
+12.6%
YoY change
-26%
vs US avg

The verdict

Madison is the 39th most expensive of 116 counties in Missouri by 2-bedroom FMR; nationally it ranks #724 most affordable of 3,145 HUD counties; rent here has climbed 12.6% since FY 2025, a sharp move relative to most counties.

#724
most affordable of 3,145 US counties (2BR)
#39
most expensive of 116 in Missouri (2BR)
-8%
vs the state average
$28,520
income to afford it (30% rule)

Software Developers spend the smallest share of income on rent here (7.5%), while Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary spend the most (29.4%); 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 Madison County, MO. Verify with HUD →

The Fair Market Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Madison County, Missouri is $713 per month in FY 2026, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). A 2-bedroom costs $935/mo and a studio is $695/mo. This is 26% lower than the national average of $959 and 8% below the Missouri average of $777.

Rent increased12.6% from FY 2025 ($633), outpacing inflation. The 30% affordability floor is comparatively reachable here at $28,520/year.

Observed renter burden: 37.4% of the 1,134 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 Missouri. Population: 12,649. Population has held roughly steady over the past five years (+3.8%, Census ACS). That's faster than Missouri's statewide growth of +1.3% over the same period.

FMR filing desk

Area MADISON·COUNTY·MO·MO

Madison County, MO: $713/mo 1BR · #724 of 3145 counties (2BR) · FY2026

  • FMR-AREA MO
  • 1BR-FMR $713
  • 2BR-FMR $935
  • RANK-MID #724
  • YOY-SURGE +12.6%
  • VSUS-LOW -26%
  • VS-ST-LOW -8% MO
  • INC-ROOM 15%
  • POP-SMALL 13K
  • PHOTO-NEAR St. Louis County
  • VOUCH-90-110 $642–$784
  • FY-2026 FY2026

Photo-finish peer: St. Louis ($282 1BR gap)

Read with: Section 8 housing guide

Fair Market Rents (2026)

Studio
State avg: $734 · US avg: $893
$695/mo
↑ 12.3% YoY -5% vs state -22% vs US
1 Bedroom
State avg: $777 · US avg: $959
$713/mo
↑ 12.6% YoY -8% vs state -26% vs US
2 Bedroom
State avg: $972 · US avg: $1,175
$935/mo
↑ 12.7% YoY -4% vs state -20% vs US
3 Bedroom
State avg: $1,268 · US avg: $1,525
$1,133/mo
↑ 7.1% YoY -11% vs state -26% vs US
4 Bedroom
State avg: $1,460 · US avg: $1,756
$1,390/mo
↓ 0.3% YoY -5% vs state -21% vs US

Year-over-Year Comparison

Bedrooms FY 2025 FY 2026 Change
Studio $619
$695
+$76 (+12.3%)
1 Bedroom $633
$713
+$80 (+12.6%)
2 Bedroom $830
$935
+$105 (+12.7%)
3 Bedroom $1,058
$1,133
+$75 (+7.1%)
4 Bedroom $1,394
$1,390
$-4 (-0.3%)

Rent Burden Analysis

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

Studio
14.3%
Affordable
Need $27,800/yr for 30% rule
1 Bedroom
14.6%
Affordable
Need $28,520/yr for 30% rule
2 Bedroom
19.2%
Affordable
Need $37,400/yr for 30% rule
3 Bedroom
23.3%
Affordable
Need $45,320/yr for 30% rule
4 Bedroom
28.5%
Affordable
Need $55,600/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%19.2%
Madison County 2-bedroom rent burden
County median income: $58,435 · National avg burden: 21.7% ·View Missouri rent burden →

Where Madison sits among every US county

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

$935 higher than 23% 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 Madison compares on 1-bedroom rent

1-bedroom FMR vs other Missouri counties

1BR FMR / mo

What this shows Madison is highlighted. Nearby Missouri counties by 1-bedroom FMR, highest to lowest: Jackson County ($1,197), Clay County ($1,197), St. Louis County ($995), St. Charles County ($995), St. Louis city ($995), Greene County ($883), Madison County (this county) ($713).

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 $713/mo, most of these Missouri occupations clear, or miss, the 30% affordability line.

Occupation MO Salary Rent Burden Verdict
Software Developers $114,550 7.5% Affordable
Registered Nurses $79,770 10.7% Affordable
General & Operations Managers $77,410 11.1% Affordable
Accountants & Auditors $73,210 11.7% Affordable
Electricians $70,950 12.1% Affordable
Police & Sheriff's Patrol Officers $60,720 14.1% Affordable
Paralegals & Legal Assistants $58,730 14.6% Affordable
Heavy & Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $50,540 16.9% Affordable
Elementary School Teachers $48,250 17.7% Affordable
Customer Service Representatives $41,850 20.4% Affordable
Pharmacy Technicians $37,990 22.5% Affordable
Janitors & Cleaners $34,080 25.1% Affordable
Retail Salespersons $31,250 27.4% Affordable
Fast Food & Counter Workers $29,310 29.2% Affordable
Teaching Assistants $29,060 29.4% Affordable
Salaries: BLS OES (Missouri) median · 30% = affordable threshold · Try the salary calculator →

Rent Trends (2020–2026)

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

Over the 6-year span HUD has tracked for Madison (FY 2020-2026), the 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent has risen 45.5% overall, from $490 to $713. Most of that movement was gradual except for a single sharp jump of +12.6% in FY 2026, well above this county's typical year-to-year change.

$450$500$550$600$650$700$750 FY2020FY2021FY2022FY2023FY2024FY2025FY2026 $713
Madison County 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent, FY2020–FY2026
Year Studio 1 BR 2 BR
FY 2026 ↑12.6% $695 $713 $935
FY 2025 ↑4.3% $619 $633 $830
FY 2024 ↑7.1% $601 $607 $797
FY 2023 ↑3.5% $549 $567 $746
FY 2022 ↑4.4% $489 $548 $685
FY 2021 ↑7.1% $457 $525 $662
FY 2020 $426 $490 $634
Total change (6yr): +45.5%
Annualized: +6.5%/yr
1 BR: $490 → $713

Where Madison County Ranks in Missouri

Madison 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 #78 of 116 counties in Missouri. Nearest by rank: Moniteau County ($922), Ste. Genevieve County ($922), Stone County ($923), Vernon County ($923), Bates County ($927), Benton County ($929), Scott County ($930), Phelps County ($933), Madison County (this county) ($935), Macon County ($936), Camden County ($939), Jasper County ($947), Newton County ($947), Marion County ($952), Perry County ($952), Cooper County ($958), Johnson County ($965).

Moniteau County
2 BR: $922/mo
Ste. Genevieve County
2 BR: $922/mo
Stone County
2 BR: $923/mo
Vernon County
2 BR: $923/mo
Bates County
2 BR: $927/mo
Benton County
2 BR: $929/mo
Scott County
2 BR: $930/mo
Phelps County
2 BR: $933/mo
Madison County (this county)
2 BR: $935/mo
Macon County
2 BR: $936/mo
Camden County
2 BR: $939/mo
Jasper County
2 BR: $947/mo
Newton County
2 BR: $947/mo
Marion County
2 BR: $952/mo
Perry County
2 BR: $952/mo
Cooper County
2 BR: $958/mo
Johnson County
2 BR: $965/mo

Nationwide peers by 2BR FMR & rent burden

Two PlainRent-derived comparison paths for Madison County, both outside Missouri 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 MO (FY2026).

Beauregard Parish
LA · 2 BR $935/mo
Cherokee County
NC · 2 BR $935/mo
Yancey County
NC · 2 BR $935/mo
Sargent County
ND · 2 BR $935/mo

Similar rent burden

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

Peoria County
IL · 19.2% of income · 2 BR $1,039/mo
Greene County
IN · 19.2% of income · 2 BR $956/mo
Bath County
KY · 19.2% of income · 2 BR $866/mo
James City County
VA · 19.2% of income · 2 BR $1,713/mo

Nearby Counties in Missouri

Largest counties by population in Missouri

Showing the 8 largest of 115 other counties in Missouri.

St. Louis County
1 BR: $995/mo Pop: 999,703
Jackson County
1 BR: $1,197/mo Pop: 715,526
St. Charles County
1 BR: $995/mo Pop: 406,262
Greene County
1 BR: $883/mo Pop: 299,188
St. Louis city
1 BR: $995/mo Pop: 298,018
Clay County
1 BR: $1,197/mo Pop: 253,085
Jefferson County
1 BR: $995/mo Pop: 226,984
Boone County
1 BR: $1,011/mo Pop: 184,043
View all counties in Missouri →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average rent in Madison County? ▼
The FY 2026 Fair Market Rent for a 1-bedroom in Madison County is $713 per month. A 2-bedroom is $935 and a studio is $695.
How does Madison County rent compare to the national average? ▼
Rent in Madison County is 26% below the national average. A 1-bedroom here costs $713 compared to $959 nationally.
Where does Madison County rank nationally for Fair Market Rent? ▼
According to HUD's FY 2026 Fair Market Rent schedule, Madison County's 2-bedroom FMR of $935 ranks #724 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 Madison County? ▼
Based on the 30% affordability rule, you need an annual income of at least $28,520 ($2,377/month) to afford a 1-bedroom at Fair Market Rent in Madison County.
Is rent going up or down in Madison County? ▼
The 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent in Madison County increased by 12.6% from FY 2025 to FY 2026, going from $633 to $713.
Which jobs can afford rent in Madison County? ▼
Based on Missouri BLS salary data and the 30% affordability rule, jobs like Software Developers, Registered Nurses, General and Operations Managers can afford a 1-bedroom at $713/mo. 15 of 15 common occupations are affordable here.
How much has rent changed in Madison County over time? ▼
The 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent in Madison County went from $490 in FY 2020 to $713 in FY 2026, a total change of +45.5% over 6 years.
How does Fair Market Rent affect Section 8 vouchers in Madison County? ▼
In Madison County, the FY 2026 FMR of $713/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 Madison County? ▼
For Madison County, it's the specific 40th-percentile rent HUD publishes each year ($713/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.