County FMR · HUD FY2026

Mecklenburg County Fair Market Rent

HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent for Mecklenburg County, VA - 25% below the US average.

$724
1-bedroom FMR
$950
2-bedroom FMR
+6.9%
YoY change
-25%
vs US avg

The verdict

Mecklenburg is the 30th cheapest of 133 counties in Virginia by 2-bedroom FMR; nationally it ranks #819 most affordable of 3,145 HUD counties; rent here has climbed 6.9% since FY 2025, a modest shift relative to most counties.

#819
most affordable of 3,145 US counties (2BR)
#30
cheapest of 133 in Virginia (2BR)
-39%
vs the state average
$28,960
income to afford it (30% rule)

Software Developers spend the smallest share of income on rent here (6.5%), while Fast Food and Counter Workers spend the most (29.9%); 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 Mecklenburg County, VA. Verify with HUD →

The Fair Market Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Mecklenburg County, Virginia is $724 per month in FY 2026, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). A 2-bedroom costs $950/mo and a studio is $719/mo. This is 25% lower than the national average of $959 and 39% below the Virginia average of $1,182.

Rent increased6.9% from FY 2025 ($677), outpacing inflation. The 30% affordability floor is comparatively reachable here at $28,960/year.

Observed renter burden: 39.4% of the 3,760 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: 30,367. Population has held roughly steady over the past five years (-1.3%, Census ACS). That's slower than Virginia's statewide growth of +2.9% over the same period.

FMR filing desk

Area MECKLENBURG·COUNTY·VA·VA

Mecklenburg County, VA: $724/mo 1BR · #819 of 3145 counties (2BR) · FY2026

  • FMR-AREA VA
  • 1BR-FMR $724
  • 2BR-FMR $950
  • RANK-MID #819
  • YOY-SURGE +6.9%
  • VSUS-BELOW -25%
  • VS-ST-LOW -39% VA
  • INC-ROOM 17%
  • POP-SMALL 30K
  • PHOTO-NEAR Fairfax County
  • VOUCH-90-110 $652–$796
  • FY-2026 FY2026

Photo-finish peer: Fairfax ($1,291 1BR gap)

Read with: Section 8 housing guide

Fair Market Rents (2026)

Studio
State avg: $1,137 · US avg: $893
$719/mo
↑ 7.0% YoY -37% vs state -19% vs US
1 Bedroom
State avg: $1,182 · US avg: $959
$724/mo
↑ 6.9% YoY -39% vs state -25% vs US
2 Bedroom
State avg: $1,369 · US avg: $1,175
$950/mo
↑ 7.0% YoY -31% vs state -19% vs US
3 Bedroom
State avg: $1,789 · US avg: $1,525
$1,224/mo
↑ 6.9% YoY -32% vs state -20% vs US
4 Bedroom
State avg: $2,128 · US avg: $1,756
$1,258/mo
↑ 6.9% YoY -41% vs state -28% vs US

Year-over-Year Comparison

Bedrooms FY 2025 FY 2026 Change
Studio $672
$719
+$47 (+7.0%)
1 Bedroom $677
$724
+$47 (+6.9%)
2 Bedroom $888
$950
+$62 (+7.0%)
3 Bedroom $1,145
$1,224
+$79 (+6.9%)
4 Bedroom $1,177
$1,258
+$81 (+6.9%)

Rent Burden Analysis

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

Studio
16.7%
Affordable
Need $28,760/yr for 30% rule
1 Bedroom
16.8%
Affordable
Need $28,960/yr for 30% rule
2 Bedroom
22.1%
Affordable
Need $38,000/yr for 30% rule
3 Bedroom
28.4%
Affordable
Need $48,960/yr for 30% rule
4 Bedroom
29.2%
Affordable
Need $50,320/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%22.1%
Mecklenburg County 2-bedroom rent burden
County median income: $51,691 · National avg burden: 21.7% ·View Virginia rent burden →

Where Mecklenburg sits among every US county

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

$950 higher than 26% 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 Mecklenburg compares on 1-bedroom rent

1-bedroom FMR vs other Virginia counties

1BR FMR / mo

What this shows Mecklenburg 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), Mecklenburg County (this county) ($724).

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 $724/mo, most of these Virginia occupations clear, or miss, the 30% affordability line.

Occupation VA Salary Rent Burden Verdict
Software Developers $134,470 6.5% Affordable
General & Operations Managers $121,530 7.1% Affordable
Registered Nurses $88,820 9.8% Affordable
Accountants & Auditors $84,190 10.3% Affordable
Police & Sheriff's Patrol Officers $65,110 13.3% Affordable
Elementary School Teachers $62,270 14% Affordable
Electricians $61,610 14.1% Affordable
Paralegals & Legal Assistants $61,200 14.2% Affordable
Heavy & Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $54,500 15.9% Affordable
Pharmacy Technicians $42,490 20.4% Affordable
Customer Service Representatives $39,210 22.2% Affordable
Teaching Assistants $36,650 23.7% Affordable
Janitors & Cleaners $33,970 25.6% Affordable
Retail Salespersons $32,760 26.5% Affordable
Fast Food & Counter Workers $29,060 29.9% Affordable
Salaries: BLS OES (Virginia) median · 30% = affordable threshold · Try the salary calculator →

Rent Trends (2020–2026)

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

Over the 6-year span HUD has tracked for Mecklenburg (FY 2020-2026), the 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent has risen 18.9% overall, from $609 to $724. The increases have been fairly steady year to year, with no single jump exceeding 6.9% (FY 2026).

$600$650$700$750 FY2020FY2021FY2022FY2023FY2024FY2025FY2026 $724
Mecklenburg County 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent, FY2020–FY2026
Year Studio 1 BR 2 BR
FY 2026 ↑6.9% $719 $724 $950
FY 2025 ↓3.4% $672 $677 $888
FY 2024 ↑5.9% $696 $701 $921
FY 2023 ↑4.9% $606 $662 $817
FY 2022 ↓0.2% $491 $631 $719
FY 2021 ↑3.8% $485 $632 $720
FY 2020 $501 $609 $742
Total change (6yr): +18.9%
Annualized: +2.9%/yr
1 BR: $609 → $724

Where Mecklenburg County Ranks in Virginia

Mecklenburg 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 #30 of 133 counties in Virginia. Nearest by rank: Smyth County ($914), Tazewell County ($914), Wise County ($914), Wythe County ($914), Pulaski County ($921), Page County ($924), Franklin County ($944), Northampton County ($949), Mecklenburg County (this county) ($950), 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).

Smyth County
2 BR: $914/mo
Tazewell County
2 BR: $914/mo
Wise County
2 BR: $914/mo
Wythe County
2 BR: $914/mo
Pulaski County
2 BR: $921/mo
Page County
2 BR: $924/mo
Franklin County
2 BR: $944/mo
Northampton County
2 BR: $949/mo
Mecklenburg County (this county)
2 BR: $950/mo
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

Nationwide peers by 2BR FMR & rent burden

Two PlainRent-derived comparison paths for Mecklenburg County, 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).

Houston County
AL · 2 BR $950/mo
Geneva County
AL · 2 BR $950/mo
Clay County
KS · 2 BR $950/mo
Faulk County
SD · 2 BR $950/mo

Similar rent burden

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

Union County
AR · 22.1% of income · 2 BR $923/mo
Sullivan County
TN · 22.1% of income · 2 BR $1,044/mo
Pierce County
GA · 22.1% of income · 2 BR $1,042/mo
Simpson County
KY · 22.1% of income · 2 BR $1,055/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 Mecklenburg County? ▼
The FY 2026 Fair Market Rent for a 1-bedroom in Mecklenburg County is $724 per month. A 2-bedroom is $950 and a studio is $719.
How does Mecklenburg County rent compare to the national average? ▼
Rent in Mecklenburg County is 25% below the national average. A 1-bedroom here costs $724 compared to $959 nationally.
Where does Mecklenburg County rank nationally for Fair Market Rent? ▼
According to HUD's FY 2026 Fair Market Rent schedule, Mecklenburg County's 2-bedroom FMR of $950 ranks #819 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 Mecklenburg County? ▼
Based on the 30% affordability rule, you need an annual income of at least $28,960 ($2,413/month) to afford a 1-bedroom at Fair Market Rent in Mecklenburg County.
Is rent going up or down in Mecklenburg County? ▼
The 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent in Mecklenburg County increased by 6.9% from FY 2025 to FY 2026, going from $677 to $724.
Which jobs can afford rent in Mecklenburg County? ▼
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 $724/mo. 15 of 15 common occupations are affordable here.
How much has rent changed in Mecklenburg County over time? ▼
The 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent in Mecklenburg County went from $609 in FY 2020 to $724 in FY 2026, a total change of +18.9% over 6 years.
How does Fair Market Rent affect Section 8 vouchers in Mecklenburg County? ▼
In Mecklenburg County, the FY 2026 FMR of $724/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 Mecklenburg County? ▼
For Mecklenburg County, it's the specific 40th-percentile rent HUD publishes each year ($724/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.