County FMR · HUD FY2026

Marion County Fair Market Rent

HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent for Marion County, AL - 38% below the US average.

$591
1-bedroom FMR
$776
2-bedroom FMR
+0.7%
YoY change
-38%
vs US avg

The verdict

Marion is the 15th cheapest of 67 counties in Alabama by 2-bedroom FMR; nationally it ranks #1 most affordable of 3,145 HUD counties.

#1
most affordable of 3,145 US counties (2BR)
#15
cheapest of 67 in Alabama (2BR)
-23%
vs the state average
$23,640
income to afford it (30% rule)

Software Developers spend the smallest share of income on rent here (6.3%), while Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary spend the most (31.1%); 13 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 Marion County, AL. Verify with HUD →

Marion County, Alabama carries an FY 2026 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent of $591 per month, the federal benchmark HUD publishes for this county. A 2-bedroom costs $776/mo and a studio is $535/mo. That's 38% below the national benchmark of $959 and 23% below the Alabama average of $772.

Rent increased0.7% from FY 2025 ($587), roughly tracking inflation. The 30% affordability floor is comparatively reachable here at $23,640/year.

FY 2026 HUD Fair Market Rents in Alabama. Population: 29,203. Population has held roughly steady over the past five years (-2.6%, Census ACS). That's slower than Alabama's statewide growth of +3.9% over the same period.

FMR filing desk

Area MARION·COUNTY·AL·AL

Marion County, AL: $591/mo 1BR · #1 of 3145 counties (2BR) · FY2026

  • FMR-AREA AL
  • 1BR-FMR $591
  • 2BR-FMR $776
  • RANK-FLOOR #1
  • YOY-FLAT +0.7%
  • VSUS-LOW -38%
  • VS-ST-LOW -23% AL
  • INC-ROOM 14%
  • POP-SMALL 29K
  • PHOTO-NEAR Jefferson County
  • VOUCH-90-110 $532–$650
  • FY-2026 FY2026

Photo-finish peer: Jefferson ($564 1BR gap)

Read with: Section 8 housing guide

Fair Market Rents (2026)

Studio
State avg: $716 · US avg: $893
$535/mo
↑ 2.3% YoY -25% vs state -40% vs US
1 Bedroom
State avg: $772 · US avg: $959
$591/mo
↑ 0.7% YoY -23% vs state -38% vs US
2 Bedroom
State avg: $936 · US avg: $1,175
$776/mo
↑ 0.5% YoY -17% vs state -34% vs US
3 Bedroom
State avg: $1,206 · US avg: $1,525
$1,039/mo
↑ 5.8% YoY -14% vs state -32% vs US
4 Bedroom
State avg: $1,381 · US avg: $1,756
$1,302/mo
↓ 0.5% YoY -6% vs state -26% vs US

Year-over-Year Comparison

Bedrooms FY 2025 FY 2026 Change
Studio $523
$535
+$12 (+2.3%)
1 Bedroom $587
$591
+$4 (+0.7%)
2 Bedroom $772
$776
+$4 (+0.5%)
3 Bedroom $982
$1,039
+$57 (+5.8%)
4 Bedroom $1,309
$1,302
$-7 (-0.5%)

Rent Burden Analysis

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

Studio
12.7%
Affordable
Need $21,400/yr for 30% rule
1 Bedroom
14%
Affordable
Need $23,640/yr for 30% rule
2 Bedroom
18.4%
Affordable
Need $31,040/yr for 30% rule
3 Bedroom
24.6%
Affordable
Need $41,560/yr for 30% rule
4 Bedroom
30.8%
Burdened
Need $52,080/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%18.4%
Marion County 2-bedroom rent burden
County median income: $50,714 · National avg burden: 21.7% ·View Alabama rent burden →

Where Marion sits among every US county

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

$776 higher than 0% of 3,145 counties

$600–$800: 23 counties (1%). This entry sits in this band. $800–$1,000: 1,406 counties (45%). Above this entry. $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 Marion compares on 1-bedroom rent

1-bedroom FMR vs other Alabama counties

1BR FMR / mo

What this shows Marion is highlighted. Nearby Alabama counties by 1-bedroom FMR, highest to lowest: Baldwin County ($1,200), Jefferson County ($1,155), Madison County ($1,136), Tuscaloosa County ($972), Mobile County ($919), Montgomery County ($870), Marion County (this county) ($591).

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 $591/mo, most of these Alabama occupations clear, or miss, the 30% affordability line.

Occupation AL Salary Rent Burden Verdict
Software Developers $113,020 6.3% Affordable
General & Operations Managers $106,330 6.7% Affordable
Registered Nurses $71,040 10% Affordable
Accountants & Auditors $71,070 10% Affordable
Elementary School Teachers $59,850 11.8% Affordable
Police & Sheriff's Patrol Officers $53,850 13.2% Affordable
Electricians $52,420 13.5% Affordable
Heavy & Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $50,120 14.2% Affordable
Paralegals & Legal Assistants $46,060 15.4% Affordable
Pharmacy Technicians $37,690 18.8% Affordable
Customer Service Representatives $37,730 18.8% Affordable
Retail Salespersons $29,430 24.1% Affordable
Janitors & Cleaners $29,120 24.4% Affordable
Fast Food & Counter Workers $23,490 30.2% Stretched
Teaching Assistants $22,790 31.1% Stretched
Salaries: BLS OES (Alabama) median · 30% = affordable threshold · Try the salary calculator →

Rent Trends (2020–2026)

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

Over the 6-year span HUD has tracked for Marion (FY 2020-2026), the 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent has risen 27.1% overall, from $465 to $591. The path there hasn't been smooth: year-over-year moves have swung by as much as 16.0% (FY 2024), a volatility pattern that makes single-year comparisons a poor guide to the underlying trend.

$450$500$550$600$650$700 FY2020FY2021FY2022FY2023FY2024FY2025FY2026 $591
Marion County 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent, FY2020–FY2026
Year Studio 1 BR 2 BR
FY 2026 ↑0.7% $535 $591 $776
FY 2025 ↓10.0% $523 $587 $772
FY 2024 ↑16.0% $581 $652 $857
FY 2023 ↑4.9% $495 $562 $740
FY 2022 ↑11.4% $530 $536 $705
FY 2021 ↑3.4% $479 $481 $634
FY 2020 $462 $465 $612
Total change (6yr): +27.1%
Annualized: +4.1%/yr
1 BR: $465 → $591

Where Marion County Ranks in Alabama

Marion 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 #15 of 67 counties in Alabama. Nearest by rank: Crenshaw County ($776), Dale County ($776), DeKalb County ($776), Escambia County ($776), Fayette County ($776), Franklin County ($776), Jackson County ($776), Lamar County ($776), Marion County (this county) ($776), Marshall County ($776), Monroe County ($776), Pickens County ($776), Winston County ($776), Choctaw County ($778), Randolph County ($778), Marengo County ($783), Clarke County ($791).

Crenshaw County
2 BR: $776/mo
Dale County
2 BR: $776/mo
DeKalb County
2 BR: $776/mo
Escambia County
2 BR: $776/mo
Fayette County
2 BR: $776/mo
Franklin County
2 BR: $776/mo
Jackson County
2 BR: $776/mo
Lamar County
2 BR: $776/mo
Marion County (this county)
2 BR: $776/mo
Marshall County
2 BR: $776/mo
Monroe County
2 BR: $776/mo
Pickens County
2 BR: $776/mo
Winston County
2 BR: $776/mo
Choctaw County
2 BR: $778/mo
Randolph County
2 BR: $778/mo
Marengo County
2 BR: $783/mo
Clarke County
2 BR: $791/mo

Nationwide peers by 2BR FMR & rent burden

Two PlainRent-derived comparison paths for Marion County, both outside Alabama 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 AL (FY2026).

St. Landry Parish
LA · 2 BR $834/mo
Vermilion Parish
LA · 2 BR $834/mo
Washington Parish
LA · 2 BR $834/mo
Evangeline Parish
LA · 2 BR $834/mo

Similar rent burden

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

Kinney County
TX · 18.4% of income · 2 BR $1,015/mo
Fulton County
IN · 18.4% of income · 2 BR $962/mo
Cloud County
KS · 18.4% of income · 2 BR $877/mo
Chase County
NE · 18.4% of income · 2 BR $961/mo

Nearby Counties in Alabama

Largest counties by population in Alabama

Showing the 8 largest of 66 other counties in Alabama.

Jefferson County
1 BR: $1,155/mo Pop: 672,265
Mobile County
1 BR: $919/mo Pop: 413,878
Madison County
1 BR: $1,136/mo Pop: 389,781
Baldwin County
1 BR: $1,200/mo Pop: 233,420
Tuscaloosa County
1 BR: $972/mo Pop: 231,558
Montgomery County
1 BR: $870/mo Pop: 228,132
Shelby County
1 BR: $1,155/mo Pop: 223,916
Lee County
1 BR: $1,077/mo Pop: 175,126
View all counties in Alabama →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average rent in Marion County? ▼
The FY 2026 Fair Market Rent for a 1-bedroom in Marion County is $591 per month. A 2-bedroom is $776 and a studio is $535.
How does Marion County rent compare to the national average? ▼
Rent in Marion County is 38% below the national average. A 1-bedroom here costs $591 compared to $959 nationally.
Where does Marion County rank nationally for Fair Market Rent? ▼
According to HUD's FY 2026 Fair Market Rent schedule, Marion County's 2-bedroom FMR of $776 ranks #1 most affordable among 3,145 HUD counties, placing it in the lowest-rent tenth of HUD counties.
What income do I need to afford rent in Marion County? ▼
Based on the 30% affordability rule, you need an annual income of at least $23,640 ($1,970/month) to afford a 1-bedroom at Fair Market Rent in Marion County.
Is rent going up or down in Marion County? ▼
The 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent in Marion County increased by 0.7% from FY 2025 to FY 2026, going from $587 to $591.
Which jobs can afford rent in Marion County? ▼
Based on Alabama BLS salary data and the 30% affordability rule, jobs like Software Developers, General and Operations Managers, Registered Nurses can afford a 1-bedroom at $591/mo. 13 of 15 common occupations are affordable here.
How much has rent changed in Marion County over time? ▼
The 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent in Marion County went from $465 in FY 2020 to $591 in FY 2026, a total change of +27.1% over 6 years.
How does Fair Market Rent affect Section 8 vouchers in Marion County? ▼
In Marion County, the FY 2026 FMR of $591/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 Marion County? ▼
For Marion County, it's the specific 40th-percentile rent HUD publishes each year ($591/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.