County FMR · HUD FY2026

Mono County Fair Market Rent

HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent for Mono County, CA - 59% above the US average.

$1,528
1-bedroom FMR
$1,675
2-bedroom FMR
+13.4%
YoY change
+59%
vs US avg

The verdict

Mono is the 29th cheapest of 58 counties in California by 2-bedroom FMR; nationally it ranks #346 most expensive of 3,145 HUD counties; rent here has climbed 13.4% since FY 2025, a sharp move relative to most counties.

#346
most expensive of 3,145 US counties (2BR)
#29
cheapest of 58 in California (2BR)
-7%
vs the state average
$61,120
income to afford it (30% rule)

Software Developers spend the smallest share of income on rent here (10.7%), while Fast Food and Counter Workers spend the most (49.5%); 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 Mono County, CA. Verify with HUD →

The Fair Market Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Mono County, California is $1,528 per month in FY 2026, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). A 2-bedroom costs $1,675/mo and a studio is $1,171/mo. This is 59% higher than the national average of $959 and 7% below the California average of $1,647.

Rent increased13.4% from FY 2025 ($1,348), outpacing inflation. Clearing the 30% rule here takes $61,120/year, a high bar relative to most US counties.

Observed renter burden: 33.1% of the 1,702 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: 13,219. Population declined 7.1% 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 California's statewide growth of +0.2% over the same period.

FMR filing desk

Area MONO·COUNTY·CA·CA

Mono County, CA: $1,528/mo 1BR · #346 of 3145 counties (2BR) · FY2026

  • FMR-AREA CA
  • 1BR-FMR $1,528
  • 2BR-FMR $1,675
  • RANK-MID #346
  • YOY-SURGE +13.4%
  • VSUS-HIGH +59%
  • VS-ST-NEAR -7% CA
  • INC-MID 21%
  • POP-SMALL 13K
  • PHOTO-NEAR Los Angeles County
  • VOUCH-90-110 $1,375–$1,681
  • FY-2026 FY2026

Photo-finish peer: Los Angeles ($557 1BR gap)

Read with: Understanding rent burden

Fair Market Rents (2026)

Studio
State avg: $1,513 · US avg: $893
$1,171/mo
↑ 13.0% YoY -23% vs state +31% vs US
1 Bedroom
State avg: $1,647 · US avg: $959
$1,528/mo
↑ 13.4% YoY -7% vs state +59% vs US
2 Bedroom
State avg: $2,053 · US avg: $1,175
$1,675/mo
↑ 12.2% YoY -18% vs state +43% vs US
3 Bedroom
State avg: $2,752 · US avg: $1,525
$2,330/mo
↑ 11.4% YoY -15% vs state +53% vs US
4 Bedroom
State avg: $3,165 · US avg: $1,756
$2,769/mo
↑ 11.8% YoY -13% vs state +58% vs US

Year-over-Year Comparison

Bedrooms FY 2025 FY 2026 Change
Studio $1,036
$1,171
+$135 (+13.0%)
1 Bedroom $1,348
$1,528
+$180 (+13.4%)
2 Bedroom $1,493
$1,675
+$182 (+12.2%)
3 Bedroom $2,092
$2,330
+$238 (+11.4%)
4 Bedroom $2,476
$2,769
+$293 (+11.8%)

Rent Burden Analysis

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

Studio
16.2%
Affordable
Need $46,840/yr for 30% rule
1 Bedroom
21.1%
Affordable
Need $61,120/yr for 30% rule
2 Bedroom
23.1%
Affordable
Need $67,000/yr for 30% rule
3 Bedroom
32.2%
Burdened
Need $93,200/yr for 30% rule
4 Bedroom
38.2%
Burdened
Need $110,760/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%23.1%
Mono County 2-bedroom rent burden
County median income: $86,953 · National avg burden: 21.7% ·View California rent burden →

Where Mono sits among every US county

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

$1,675 Top 11% higher than 89% 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%). Below this entry. $1,200–$1,400: 417 counties (13%). Below this entry. $1,400–$1,600: 181 counties (6%). Below this entry. $1,600–$1,800: 172 counties (5%). This entry sits in this band. $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 Mono compares on 1-bedroom rent

1-bedroom FMR vs other California counties

1BR FMR / mo

What this shows Mono 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), Mono County (this county) ($1,528).

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

Can Common Jobs Afford Rent Here?

Against a high local FMR of $1,528/mo, which of 15 common occupations still clear the 30% line using California BLS wages?

Occupation CA Salary Rent Burden Verdict
Software Developers $170,910 10.7% Affordable
Registered Nurses $140,330 13.1% Affordable
General & Operations Managers $125,240 14.6% Affordable
Police & Sheriff's Patrol Officers $115,400 15.9% Affordable
Elementary School Teachers $98,190 18.7% Affordable
Accountants & Auditors $96,360 19% Affordable
Electricians $76,540 24% Affordable
Paralegals & Legal Assistants $72,960 25.1% Affordable
Heavy & Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $59,950 30.6% Stretched
Pharmacy Technicians $49,640 36.9% Stretched
Customer Service Representatives $47,790 38.4% Stretched
Teaching Assistants $45,460 40.3% Stretched
Janitors & Cleaners $38,640 47.5% Stretched
Retail Salespersons $37,250 49.2% Stretched
Fast Food & Counter Workers $37,010 49.5% Stretched
Salaries: BLS OES (California) median · 30% = affordable threshold · Try the salary calculator →

Rent Trends (2020–2026)

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

Over the 6-year span HUD has tracked for Mono (FY 2020-2026), the 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent has risen 56.1% overall, from $979 to $1,528. Most of that movement was gradual except for a single sharp jump of +13.6% in FY 2024, well above this county's typical year-to-year change.

$800$1,000$1,200$1,400$1,600 FY2020FY2021FY2022FY2023FY2024FY2025FY2026 $1,528
Mono County 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent, FY2020–FY2026
Year Studio 1 BR 2 BR
FY 2026 ↑13.4% $1,171 $1,528 $1,675
FY 2025 ↑4.3% $1,036 $1,348 $1,493
FY 2024 ↑13.6% $1,000 $1,292 $1,450
FY 2023 ↑8.8% $1,061 $1,137 $1,386
FY 2022 ↑3.9% $1,009 $1,045 $1,319
FY 2021 ↑2.8% $875 $1,006 $1,326
FY 2020 $872 $979 $1,290
Total change (6yr): +56.1%
Annualized: +7.7%/yr
1 BR: $979 → $1,528

Where Mono County Ranks in California

Mono 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 #29 of 58 counties in California. Nearest by rank: Lake County ($1,549), Humboldt County ($1,550), Sutter County ($1,550), Yuba County ($1,550), Tuolumne County ($1,589), Shasta County ($1,590), Butte County ($1,625), Fresno County ($1,664), Mono County (this county) ($1,675), Amador County ($1,698), Mendocino County ($1,713), San Joaquin County ($1,742), Stanislaus County ($1,758), Nevada County ($1,813), Yolo County ($2,104), Solano County ($2,178), Riverside County ($2,201).

Lake County
2 BR: $1,549/mo
Humboldt County
2 BR: $1,550/mo
Sutter County
2 BR: $1,550/mo
Yuba County
2 BR: $1,550/mo
Tuolumne County
2 BR: $1,589/mo
Shasta County
2 BR: $1,590/mo
Butte County
2 BR: $1,625/mo
Fresno County
2 BR: $1,664/mo
Mono County (this county)
2 BR: $1,675/mo
Amador County
2 BR: $1,698/mo
Mendocino County
2 BR: $1,713/mo
San Joaquin County
2 BR: $1,742/mo
Stanislaus County
2 BR: $1,758/mo
Nevada County
2 BR: $1,813/mo
Yolo County
2 BR: $2,104/mo
Solano County
2 BR: $2,178/mo
Riverside County
2 BR: $2,201/mo

Nationwide peers by 2BR FMR & rent burden

Two PlainRent-derived comparison paths for Mono 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).

Fairbanks North Star Borough
AK · 2 BR $1,676/mo
Cumberland County
NJ · 2 BR $1,673/mo
Island County
WA · 2 BR $1,671/mo
Chatham County
GA · 2 BR $1,680/mo

Similar rent burden

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

Brunswick County
NC · 23.1% of income · 2 BR $1,426/mo
Lea County
NM · 23.1% of income · 2 BR $1,324/mo
Clay County
FL · 23.1% of income · 2 BR $1,658/mo
Ottawa County
OK · 23.1% of income · 2 BR $937/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 Mono County? ▼
The FY 2026 Fair Market Rent for a 1-bedroom in Mono County is $1,528 per month. A 2-bedroom is $1,675 and a studio is $1,171.
How does Mono County rent compare to the national average? ▼
Rent in Mono County is 59% above the national average. A 1-bedroom here costs $1,528 compared to $959 nationally.
Where does Mono County rank nationally for Fair Market Rent? ▼
According to HUD's FY 2026 Fair Market Rent schedule, Mono County's 2-bedroom FMR of $1,675 ranks #346 most expensive among 3,145 HUD counties, placing it in the upper-rent quarter of HUD counties.
What income do I need to afford rent in Mono County? ▼
Based on the 30% affordability rule, you need an annual income of at least $61,120 ($5,093/month) to afford a 1-bedroom at Fair Market Rent in Mono County.
Is rent going up or down in Mono County? ▼
The 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent in Mono County increased by 13.4% from FY 2025 to FY 2026, going from $1,348 to $1,528.
Which jobs can afford rent in Mono 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 $1,528/mo. 8 of 15 common occupations are affordable here.
How much has rent changed in Mono County over time? ▼
The 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent in Mono County went from $979 in FY 2020 to $1,528 in FY 2026, a total change of +56.1% over 6 years.
How does Fair Market Rent affect Section 8 vouchers in Mono County? ▼
In Mono County, the FY 2026 FMR of $1,528/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 Mono County? ▼
For Mono County, it's the specific 40th-percentile rent HUD publishes each year ($1,528/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.