County FMR · HUD FY2026
Marion County Fair Market Rent
HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent for Marion County, OR - 25% above the US average.
- $1,201
- 1-bedroom FMR
- $1,560
- 2-bedroom FMR
- +0.3%
- YoY change
- +25%
- vs US avg
The verdict
Marion is the 12th most expensive of 36 counties in Oregon by 2-bedroom FMR.
- #12
- most expensive of 36 in Oregon (2BR)
- +5%
- vs the state average
- $48,040
- income to afford it (30% rule)
- +0.3%
- YoY, FY2025→2026
Software Developers spend the smallest share of income on rent here (10.7%), while Fast Food and Counter Workers spend the most (41.9%).
FY 2026 HUD Fair Market Rent for Marion County, OR. Verify with HUD →
The Fair Market Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Marion County, Oregon is $1,201 per month in FY 2026, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). A 2-bedroom costs $1,560/mo and a studio is $1,181/mo. This is 25% higher than the national average of $959 and 5% above the Oregon average of $1,143.
Rent increased0.3% from FY 2025 ($1,198), roughly tracking inflation. To afford rent here, a household needs at least $48,040/year based on the 30% affordability rule.
FY 2026 HUD Fair Market Rents in Oregon. Population: 345,815. Population has held roughly steady over the past five years (+3.3%, Census ACS). That's in line with Oregon's statewide growth of +3.8% over the same period.
What these rents mean for Marion County
The Marion County FMR area applies to all ZIP codes inside the county boundary, and Oregon's housing authorities use it as the baseline for Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher payment standards. See how FMR is calculated for the full 40th-percentile methodology and payment-standard rules.
Compared to the rest of the country, a 1-bedroom here is 25% above the US average of $959 and 5% higher than the Oregon state average of $1,143. Year-over-year, the 1-bedroom FMR moved from$1,198 in FY 2025 to $1,201 in FY 2026 - a change of +0.3%, which tracks roughly with broader price trends.
At the FY 2026 1-bedroom FMR of $1,201, affording it under the 30%-of-income rule takes $48,040 per year (about $4,003/month) in household income, and a 2-bedroom at $1,560 pushes that threshold even higher. With a population of 345,815 and a county median household income of $74,624, the arithmetic here directly shapes which wage earners can rent without being cost-burdened.
Fair Market Rents (2026)
Year-over-Year Comparison
| Bedrooms | FY 2025 | FY 2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,147 | $1,181 | +$34 (+3.0%) |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,198 | $1,201 | +$3 (+0.3%) |
| 2 Bedroom | $1,543 | $1,560 | +$17 (+1.1%) |
| 3 Bedroom | $2,148 | $2,159 | +$11 (+0.5%) |
| 4 Bedroom | $2,334 | $2,338 | +$4 (+0.2%) |
Affordability Snapshot
Based on the standard that rent should not exceed 30% of gross income:
Rent Burden Analysis
How much of household income goes to rent in Marion County. The 30% threshold indicates cost burden.
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.
Marion County 2-bedroom rent burden
Where Marion sits among every US county
2-bedroom Fair Market Rent vs. all 3,145 HUD counties
$1,560 Top 14% higher than 86% of 3,145 counties
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 Oregon counties
- Multnomah
Multnomah County
$1,677 1BR FMR / mo
- Washington
Washington County
$1,677 1BR FMR / mo
- Clackamas
Clackamas County
$1,677 1BR FMR / mo
- Deschutes
Deschutes County
$1,371 1BR FMR / mo
- Lane
Lane County
$1,286 1BR FMR / mo
- Jackson
Jackson County
$1,229 1BR FMR / mo
- Marion
Marion County
$1,201 1BR FMR / mo
What this shows Marion is highlighted. Nearby Oregon counties by 1-bedroom FMR, highest to lowest: Multnomah County ($1,677), Washington County ($1,677), Clackamas County ($1,677), Deschutes County ($1,371), Lane County ($1,286), Jackson County ($1,229), Marion County (this county) ($1,201).
Can Common Jobs Afford Rent Here?
How a 1-bedroom at $1,201/mo compares to Oregon salaries for popular occupations (BLS wage data, 30%-of-income rule).
| Occupation | OR Salary | Rent Burden | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Developers | $135,260 | 10.7% | Affordable |
| Registered Nurses | $123,990 | 11.6% | Affordable |
| General & Operations Managers | $98,580 | 14.6% | Affordable |
| Electricians | $97,320 | 14.8% | Affordable |
| Police & Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $88,140 | 16.4% | Affordable |
| Accountants & Auditors | $81,130 | 17.8% | Affordable |
| Elementary School Teachers | $75,800 | 19% | Affordable |
| Paralegals & Legal Assistants | $63,970 | 22.5% | Affordable |
| Heavy & Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $61,180 | 23.6% | Affordable |
| Pharmacy Technicians | $51,210 | 28.1% | Affordable |
| Customer Service Representatives | $46,280 | 31.1% | Stretched |
| Janitors & Cleaners | $37,550 | 38.4% | Stretched |
| Teaching Assistants | $36,540 | 39.4% | Stretched |
| Retail Salespersons | $36,140 | 39.9% | Stretched |
| Fast Food & Counter Workers | $34,430 | 41.9% | Stretched |
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 57.8% overall, from $761 to $1,201. Most of that movement was gradual except for a single sharp jump of +13.8% in FY 2025, well above this county's typical year-to-year change.
| Year | Studio | 1 BR | 2 BR |
|---|---|---|---|
| FY 2026 ↑0.3% | $1,181 | $1,201 | $1,560 |
| FY 2025 ↑13.8% | $1,147 | $1,198 | $1,543 |
| FY 2024 ↑7.7% | $997 | $1,053 | $1,340 |
| FY 2023 ↑10.9% | $924 | $978 | $1,245 |
| FY 2022 ↑5.5% | $846 | $882 | $1,132 |
| FY 2021 ↑9.9% | $798 | $836 | $1,093 |
| FY 2020 | $709 | $761 | $1,001 |
Part of the Salem, OR Metro Area
Marion County is a central county of the Salem, OR metropolitan statistical area, alongside 1 other metro-area county.
Marion County ranks #2 of 2 counties in this metro area by 1-bedroom FMR. Every county sharing this metro, highest to lowest: Polk County ($1,201), Marion County (this county) ($1,201).
Nearby Counties in Oregon
Largest counties by population in Oregon
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average rent in Marion County? ▼
How does Marion County rent compare to the national average? ▼
What income do I need to afford rent in Marion County? ▼
Is rent going up or down in Marion County? ▼
Which jobs can afford rent in Marion County? ▼
How much has rent changed in Marion County over time? ▼
How does Fair Market Rent affect Section 8 vouchers in Marion County? ▼
What does Fair Market Rent mean for Marion County? ▼
What this means for renters
Treat Marion's FY2026 Fair Market Rent as HUD's affordability benchmark, not a market quote.
- Budget to roughly 30% of income: the FY2026 1-bedroom FMR of $1,201 implies about $48,040/yr to rent without being cost-burdened. Run your numbers
- Compare this county against nearby metros and states before signing a lease. Compare areas
- See where it sits on the national rent map. View rankings
Fair Market Rent is HUD's 40th-percentile policy benchmark used to set Housing Choice Voucher payment standards. Actual asking rents in Marion can run higher or lower, and HUD updates FMRs once a year. This page is informational and not financial or relocation advice.
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.
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.