County FMR · HUD FY2026

Marion County Fair Market Rent

HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent for Marion County, SC - 14% below the US average.

$823
1-bedroom FMR
$902
2-bedroom FMR
-2.4%
YoY change
-14%
vs US avg

The verdict

Marion is the 11th cheapest of 46 counties in South Carolina by 2-bedroom FMR; nationally it ranks #410 most affordable of 3,145 HUD counties.

#410
most affordable of 3,145 US counties (2BR)
#11
cheapest of 46 in South Carolina (2BR)
-16%
vs the state average
$32,920
income to afford it (30% rule)

Software Developers spend the smallest share of income on rent here (9.1%), while Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary spend the most (40.3%); nearby South Carolina counties range as much as 51% apart in 1-bedroom FMR, so the county line itself can matter for renters comparing options.

FY 2026 HUD Fair Market Rent for Marion County, SC. Verify with HUD →

Marion County, South Carolina carries an FY 2026 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent of $823 per month, the federal benchmark HUD publishes for this county. A 2-bedroom costs $902/mo and a studio is $678/mo. That's 14% below the national benchmark of $959 and 16% below the South Carolina average of $982.

Rent decreased2.4% from FY 2025 ($843), declining against the trend. Under the 30% rule, affordability starts near $32,920/year for a 1-bedroom.

Observed renter burden: 23.8% of the 4,459 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 South Carolina. Population: 29,212. Population declined 8.4% 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 South Carolina's statewide growth of +5.2% over the same period.

FMR filing desk

Area MARION·COUNTY·SC·SC

Marion County, SC: $823/mo 1BR · #410 of 3145 counties (2BR) · FY2026

  • FMR-AREA SC
  • 1BR-FMR $823
  • 2BR-FMR $902
  • RANK-MID #410
  • YOY-DOWN -2.4%
  • VSUS-BELOW -14%
  • VS-ST-LOW -16% SC
  • INC-EDGE 29%
  • POP-SMALL 29K
  • PHOTO-NEAR Greenville County
  • VOUCH-90-110 $741–$905
  • FY-2026 FY2026

Photo-finish peer: Greenville ($398 1BR gap)

Read with: How Fair Market Rent works

Fair Market Rents (2026)

Studio
State avg: $928 · US avg: $893
$678/mo
↓ 3.8% YoY -27% vs state -24% vs US
1 Bedroom
State avg: $982 · US avg: $959
$823/mo
↓ 2.4% YoY -16% vs state -14% vs US
2 Bedroom
State avg: $1,155 · US avg: $1,175
$902/mo
↓ 3.3% YoY -22% vs state -23% vs US
3 Bedroom
State avg: $1,450 · US avg: $1,525
$1,197/mo
↓ 4.0% YoY -17% vs state -22% vs US
4 Bedroom
State avg: $1,699 · US avg: $1,756
$1,424/mo
↓ 9.1% YoY -16% vs state -19% vs US

Year-over-Year Comparison

Bedrooms FY 2025 FY 2026 Change
Studio $705
$678
$-27 (-3.8%)
1 Bedroom $843
$823
$-20 (-2.4%)
2 Bedroom $933
$902
$-31 (-3.3%)
3 Bedroom $1,247
$1,197
$-50 (-4.0%)
4 Bedroom $1,567
$1,424
$-143 (-9.1%)

Rent Burden Analysis

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

Studio
23.6%
Affordable
Need $27,120/yr for 30% rule
1 Bedroom
28.6%
Affordable
Need $32,920/yr for 30% rule
2 Bedroom
31.4%
Burdened
Need $36,080/yr for 30% rule
3 Bedroom
41.6%
Burdened
Need $47,880/yr for 30% rule
4 Bedroom
49.5%
Burdened
Need $56,960/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%31.4%
Marion County 2-bedroom rent burden
County median income: $34,501 · National avg burden: 21.7% ·View South Carolina rent burden →

Where Marion sits among every US county

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

$902 higher than 13% 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 Marion compares on 1-bedroom rent

1-bedroom FMR vs other South Carolina counties

1BR FMR / mo

What this shows Marion is highlighted. Nearby South Carolina counties by 1-bedroom FMR, highest to lowest: Charleston County ($1,630), Horry County ($1,229), Greenville County ($1,221), Richland County ($1,164), Lexington County ($1,164), Spartanburg County ($1,083), Marion County (this county) ($823).

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

Can Common Jobs Afford Rent Here?

How a 1-bedroom at $823/mo compares to South Carolina salaries for popular occupations (BLS wage data, 30%-of-income rule).

Occupation SC Salary Rent Burden Verdict
Software Developers $108,690 9.1% Affordable
General & Operations Managers $99,340 9.9% Affordable
Registered Nurses $79,900 12.4% Affordable
Accountants & Auditors $73,180 13.5% Affordable
Elementary School Teachers $59,370 16.6% Affordable
Police & Sheriff's Patrol Officers $58,020 17% Affordable
Electricians $58,260 17% Affordable
Heavy & Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $51,810 19.1% Affordable
Paralegals & Legal Assistants $48,640 20.3% Affordable
Pharmacy Technicians $38,960 25.3% Affordable
Customer Service Representatives $37,940 26% Affordable
Janitors & Cleaners $29,560 33.4% Stretched
Retail Salespersons $29,450 33.5% Stretched
Fast Food & Counter Workers $26,830 36.8% Stretched
Teaching Assistants $24,510 40.3% Stretched
Salaries: BLS OES (South Carolina) 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 46.7% overall, from $561 to $823. The path there hasn't been smooth: year-over-year moves have swung by as much as 20.2% (FY 2023), a volatility pattern that makes single-year comparisons a poor guide to the underlying trend.

$500$600$700$800$900 FY2020FY2021FY2022FY2023FY2024FY2025FY2026 $823
Marion County 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent, FY2020–FY2026
Year Studio 1 BR 2 BR
FY 2026 ↓2.4% $678 $823 $902
FY 2025 ↑4.6% $705 $843 $933
FY 2024 ↑18.0% $738 $806 $905
FY 2023 ↑20.2% $616 $683 $780
FY 2022 ↑7.4% $543 $568 $712
FY 2021 ↓5.7% $526 $529 $679
FY 2020 $556 $561 $651
Total change (6yr): +46.7%
Annualized: +6.6%/yr
1 BR: $561 → $823

Where Marion County Ranks in South Carolina

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 #11 of 46 counties in South Carolina. Nearest by rank: Cherokee County ($902), Chesterfield County ($902), Clarendon County ($902), Colleton County ($902), Dillon County ($902), Hampton County ($902), Lee County ($902), Marion County (this county) ($902), Marlboro County ($902), Williamsburg County ($902), Orangeburg County ($910), Barnwell County ($930), Greenwood County ($934), Oconee County ($941), McCormick County ($956).

Cherokee County
2 BR: $902/mo
Chesterfield County
2 BR: $902/mo
Clarendon County
2 BR: $902/mo
Colleton County
2 BR: $902/mo
Dillon County
2 BR: $902/mo
Hampton County
2 BR: $902/mo
Lee County
2 BR: $902/mo
Marion County (this county)
2 BR: $902/mo
Marlboro County
2 BR: $902/mo
Williamsburg County
2 BR: $902/mo
Orangeburg County
2 BR: $910/mo
Barnwell County
2 BR: $930/mo
Greenwood County
2 BR: $934/mo
Oconee County
2 BR: $941/mo
McCormick County
2 BR: $956/mo

Nationwide peers by 2BR FMR & rent burden

Two PlainRent-derived comparison paths for Marion County, both outside South Carolina 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 SC (FY2026).

Crawford County
KS · 2 BR $901/mo
Laclede County
MO · 2 BR $903/mo
Columbia County
AR · 2 BR $903/mo
Stevens County
KS · 2 BR $903/mo

Similar rent burden

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

Knox County
KY · 31.3% of income · 2 BR $866/mo
Charlottesville city
VA · 31.3% of income · 2 BR $1,824/mo
Macon County
GA · 31.4% of income · 2 BR $973/mo
Petroleum County
MT · 31.3% of income · 2 BR $1,548/mo

Nearby Counties in South Carolina

Largest counties by population in South Carolina

Showing the 8 largest of 45 other counties in South Carolina.

Greenville County
1 BR: $1,221/mo Pop: 528,251
Richland County
1 BR: $1,164/mo Pop: 416,161
Charleston County
1 BR: $1,630/mo Pop: 409,840
Horry County
1 BR: $1,229/mo Pop: 356,578
Spartanburg County
1 BR: $1,083/mo Pop: 330,119
Lexington County
1 BR: $1,164/mo Pop: 295,934
York County
1 BR: $1,538/mo Pop: 282,987
Berkeley County
1 BR: $1,630/mo Pop: 231,419
View all counties in South Carolina →

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 $823 per month. A 2-bedroom is $902 and a studio is $678.
How does Marion County rent compare to the national average? ▼
Rent in Marion County is 14% below the national average. A 1-bedroom here costs $823 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 $902 ranks #410 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 Marion County? ▼
Based on the 30% affordability rule, you need an annual income of at least $32,920 ($2,743/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 decreased by 2.4% from FY 2025 to FY 2026, going from $843 to $823.
Which jobs can afford rent in Marion County? ▼
Based on South Carolina BLS salary data and the 30% affordability rule, jobs like Software Developers, General and Operations Managers, Registered Nurses can afford a 1-bedroom at $823/mo. 11 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 $561 in FY 2020 to $823 in FY 2026, a total change of +46.7% over 6 years.
How does Fair Market Rent affect Section 8 vouchers in Marion County? ▼
In Marion County, the FY 2026 FMR of $823/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 ($823/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.