County FMR · HUD FY2026

Modoc County Fair Market Rent

HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent for Modoc County, CA - 8% below the US average.

$883
1-bedroom FMR
$1,108
2-bedroom FMR
-0.3%
YoY change
-8%
vs US avg

The verdict

Modoc is the 1st cheapest of 58 counties in California by 2-bedroom FMR; nationally it ranks #1,258 most expensive of 3,145 HUD counties.

#1,258
most expensive of 3,145 US counties (2BR)
#1
cheapest of 58 in California (2BR)
-46%
vs the state average
$35,320
income to afford it (30% rule)

Software Developers spend the smallest share of income on rent here (6.2%), while Fast Food and Counter Workers spend the most (28.6%); 15 of 15 common occupations here can afford a 1-bedroom at Fair Market Rent without exceeding the 30% threshold; nearby California counties range as much as 68% apart in 1-bedroom FMR, so the county line itself can matter for renters comparing options.

FY 2026 HUD Fair Market Rent for Modoc County, CA. Verify with HUD →

Modoc County, California carries an FY 2026 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent of $883 per month, the federal benchmark HUD publishes for this county. A 2-bedroom costs $1,108/mo and a studio is $774/mo. That's 8% below the national benchmark of $959 and 46% below the California average of $1,647.

Rent decreased0.3% from FY 2025 ($886), roughly tracking inflation. Under the 30% rule, affordability starts near $35,320/year for a 1-bedroom.

Observed renter burden: 42.4% of the 740 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 California. Population: 8,651. Population has held roughly steady over the past five years (-3.3%, Census ACS). That's slower than California's statewide growth of +0.2% over the same period.

FMR filing desk

Area MODOC·COUNTY·CA·CA

Modoc County, CA: $883/mo 1BR · #1258 of 3145 counties (2BR) · FY2026

  • FMR-AREA CA
  • 1BR-FMR $883
  • 2BR-FMR $1,108
  • RANK-MID #1,258
  • YOY-FLAT -0.3%
  • VSUS-NEAR -8%
  • VS-ST-LOW -46% CA
  • INC-ROOM 19%
  • POP-SMALL 9K
  • PHOTO-NEAR Los Angeles County
  • VOUCH-90-110 $795–$971
  • FY-2026 FY2026

Photo-finish peer: Los Angeles ($1,202 1BR gap)

Read with: How Fair Market Rent works

Fair Market Rents (2026)

Studio
State avg: $1,513 · US avg: $893
$774/mo
↑ 5.9% YoY -49% vs state -13% vs US
1 Bedroom
State avg: $1,647 · US avg: $959
$883/mo
↓ 0.3% YoY -46% vs state -8% vs US
2 Bedroom
State avg: $2,053 · US avg: $1,175
$1,108/mo
↑ 5.1% YoY -46% vs state -6% vs US
3 Bedroom
State avg: $2,752 · US avg: $1,525
$1,434/mo
↑ 12.9% YoY -48% vs state -6% vs US
4 Bedroom
State avg: $3,165 · US avg: $1,756
$1,831/mo
↑ 4.7% YoY -42% vs state +4% vs US

Year-over-Year Comparison

Bedrooms FY 2025 FY 2026 Change
Studio $731
$774
+$43 (+5.9%)
1 Bedroom $886
$883
$-3 (-0.3%)
2 Bedroom $1,054
$1,108
+$54 (+5.1%)
3 Bedroom $1,270
$1,434
+$164 (+12.9%)
4 Bedroom $1,748
$1,831
+$83 (+4.7%)

Rent Burden Analysis

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

Studio
16.4%
Affordable
Need $30,960/yr for 30% rule
1 Bedroom
18.7%
Affordable
Need $35,320/yr for 30% rule
2 Bedroom
23.5%
Affordable
Need $44,320/yr for 30% rule
3 Bedroom
30.4%
Burdened
Need $57,360/yr for 30% rule
4 Bedroom
38.8%
Burdened
Need $73,240/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%23.5%
Modoc County 2-bedroom rent burden
County median income: $56,648 · National avg burden: 21.7% ·View California rent burden →

Where Modoc sits among every US county

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

$1,108 Top 40% higher than 60% of 3,145 counties

$600–$800: 23 counties (1%). Below this entry. $800–$1,000: 1,406 counties (45%). Below this entry. $1,000–$1,200: 723 counties (23%). This entry sits in this band. $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 Modoc compares on 1-bedroom rent

1-bedroom FMR vs other California counties

1BR FMR / mo

What this shows Modoc is highlighted. Nearby California counties by 1-bedroom FMR, highest to lowest: Santa Clara County ($2,982), Orange County ($2,746), San Diego County ($2,459), Los Angeles County ($2,085), Riverside County ($1,777), San Bernardino County ($1,777), Modoc County (this county) ($883).

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

Can Common Jobs Afford Rent Here?

How a 1-bedroom at $883/mo compares to California salaries for popular occupations (BLS wage data, 30%-of-income rule).

Occupation CA Salary Rent Burden Verdict
Software Developers $170,910 6.2% Affordable
Registered Nurses $140,330 7.6% Affordable
General & Operations Managers $125,240 8.5% Affordable
Police & Sheriff's Patrol Officers $115,400 9.2% Affordable
Elementary School Teachers $98,190 10.8% Affordable
Accountants & Auditors $96,360 11% Affordable
Electricians $76,540 13.8% Affordable
Paralegals & Legal Assistants $72,960 14.5% Affordable
Heavy & Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $59,950 17.7% Affordable
Pharmacy Technicians $49,640 21.3% Affordable
Customer Service Representatives $47,790 22.2% Affordable
Teaching Assistants $45,460 23.3% Affordable
Janitors & Cleaners $38,640 27.4% Affordable
Retail Salespersons $37,250 28.4% Affordable
Fast Food & Counter Workers $37,010 28.6% Affordable
Salaries: BLS OES (California) median · 30% = affordable threshold · Try the salary calculator →

Rent Trends (2020–2026)

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

Over the 6-year span HUD has tracked for Modoc (FY 2020-2026), the 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent has risen 50.9% overall, from $585 to $883. Most of that movement was gradual except for a single sharp jump of +18.3% in FY 2024, well above this county's typical year-to-year change.

$500$600$700$800$900$1,000 FY2020FY2021FY2022FY2023FY2024FY2025FY2026 $883
Modoc County 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent, FY2020–FY2026
Year Studio 1 BR 2 BR
FY 2026 ↓0.3% $774 $883 $1,108
FY 2025 ↑10.5% $731 $886 $1,054
FY 2024 ↑18.3% $660 $802 $958
FY 2023 ↑11.3% $674 $678 $832
FY 2022 ↓0.5% $605 $609 $801
FY 2021 ↑4.6% $546 $612 $807
FY 2020 $520 $585 $770
Total change (6yr): +50.9%
Annualized: +7.1%/yr
1 BR: $585 → $883

Where Modoc County Ranks in California

Modoc 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 #1 of 58 counties in California. Nearest by rank: Modoc County (this county) ($1,108), Trinity County ($1,202), Siskiyou County ($1,249), Lassen County ($1,279), Colusa County ($1,306), Glenn County ($1,362), Imperial County ($1,362), Tehama County ($1,362), Del Norte County ($1,370).

Modoc County (this county)
2 BR: $1,108/mo
Trinity County
2 BR: $1,202/mo
Siskiyou County
2 BR: $1,249/mo
Lassen County
2 BR: $1,279/mo
Colusa County
2 BR: $1,306/mo
Glenn County
2 BR: $1,362/mo
Imperial County
2 BR: $1,362/mo
Tehama County
2 BR: $1,362/mo
Del Norte County
2 BR: $1,370/mo

Nationwide peers by 2BR FMR & rent burden

Two PlainRent-derived comparison paths for Modoc County, both outside California 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 CA (FY2026).

Allen County
OH · 2 BR $1,108/mo
Van Zandt County
TX · 2 BR $1,108/mo
Haralson County
GA · 2 BR $1,107/mo
Scurry County
TX · 2 BR $1,109/mo

Similar rent burden

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

Chickasaw County
MS · 23.5% of income · 2 BR $842/mo
Hall County
GA · 23.5% of income · 2 BR $1,514/mo
Hughes County
OK · 23.5% of income · 2 BR $937/mo
Henry County
TN · 23.5% of income · 2 BR $949/mo

Nearby Counties in California

Largest counties by population in California

Showing the 8 largest of 57 other counties in California.

Los Angeles County
1 BR: $2,085/mo Pop: 9,936,690
San Diego County
1 BR: $2,459/mo Pop: 3,289,701
Orange County
1 BR: $2,746/mo Pop: 3,175,227
Riverside County
1 BR: $1,777/mo Pop: 2,429,487
San Bernardino County
1 BR: $1,777/mo Pop: 2,180,563
Santa Clara County
1 BR: $2,982/mo Pop: 1,916,831
Alameda County
1 BR: $2,385/mo Pop: 1,663,823
Sacramento County
1 BR: $1,832/mo Pop: 1,579,211
View all counties in California →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average rent in Modoc County? ▼
The FY 2026 Fair Market Rent for a 1-bedroom in Modoc County is $883 per month. A 2-bedroom is $1,108 and a studio is $774.
How does Modoc County rent compare to the national average? ▼
Rent in Modoc County is 8% below the national average. A 1-bedroom here costs $883 compared to $959 nationally.
Where does Modoc County rank nationally for Fair Market Rent? ▼
According to HUD's FY 2026 Fair Market Rent schedule, Modoc County's 2-bedroom FMR of $1,108 ranks #1,258 most expensive among 3,145 HUD counties, placing it in the middle half of HUD counties.
What income do I need to afford rent in Modoc County? ▼
Based on the 30% affordability rule, you need an annual income of at least $35,320 ($2,943/month) to afford a 1-bedroom at Fair Market Rent in Modoc County.
Is rent going up or down in Modoc County? ▼
The 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent in Modoc County decreased by 0.3% from FY 2025 to FY 2026, going from $886 to $883.
Which jobs can afford rent in Modoc County? ▼
Based on California BLS salary data and the 30% affordability rule, jobs like Software Developers, Registered Nurses, General and Operations Managers can afford a 1-bedroom at $883/mo. 15 of 15 common occupations are affordable here.
How much has rent changed in Modoc County over time? ▼
The 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent in Modoc County went from $585 in FY 2020 to $883 in FY 2026, a total change of +50.9% over 6 years.
How does Fair Market Rent affect Section 8 vouchers in Modoc County? ▼
In Modoc County, the FY 2026 FMR of $883/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 Modoc County? ▼
For Modoc County, it's the specific 40th-percentile rent HUD publishes each year ($883/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.