County FMR · HUD FY2026

Polk County Fair Market Rent

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

$829
1-bedroom FMR
$983
2-bedroom FMR
-1.4%
YoY change
-14%
vs US avg

The verdict

Polk is the 40th cheapest of 100 counties in North Carolina by 2-bedroom FMR; nationally it ranks #1,353 most affordable of 3,145 HUD counties.

#1,353
most affordable of 3,145 US counties (2BR)
#40
cheapest of 100 in North Carolina (2BR)
-15%
vs the state average
$33,160
income to afford it (30% rule)

Software Developers spend the smallest share of income on rent here (7.6%), while Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary spend the most (35.2%).

FY 2026 HUD Fair Market Rent for Polk County, NC. Verify with HUD →

Polk County, North Carolina carries an FY 2026 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent of $829 per month, the federal benchmark HUD publishes for this county. A 2-bedroom costs $983/mo and a studio is $824/mo. That's 14% below the national benchmark of $959 and 15% below the North Carolina average of $981.

Rent decreased1.4% from FY 2025 ($841), declining against the trend. Under the 30% rule, affordability starts near $33,160/year for a 1-bedroom.

Observed renter burden: 40.1% of the 2,038 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 North Carolina. Population: 19,538. Population has held roughly steady over the past five years (-3.8%, Census ACS). That's slower than North Carolina's statewide growth of +4.2% over the same period.

FMR filing desk

Area POLK·COUNTY·NC·NC

Polk County, NC: $829/mo 1BR · #1353 of 3145 counties (2BR) · FY2026

  • FMR-AREA NC
  • 1BR-FMR $829
  • 2BR-FMR $983
  • RANK-MID #1,353
  • YOY-FLAT -1.4%
  • VSUS-BELOW -14%
  • VS-ST-LOW -15% NC
  • INC-ROOM 16%
  • POP-SMALL 20K
  • PHOTO-NEAR Wake County
  • VOUCH-90-110 $746–$912
  • FY-2026 FY2026

Photo-finish peer: Wake ($767 1BR gap)

Read with: How Fair Market Rent works

Fair Market Rents (2026)

Studio
State avg: $932 · US avg: $893
$824/mo
↓ 1.4% YoY -12% vs state -8% vs US
1 Bedroom
State avg: $981 · US avg: $959
$829/mo
↓ 1.4% YoY -15% vs state -14% vs US
2 Bedroom
State avg: $1,161 · US avg: $1,175
$983/mo
↓ 6.0% YoY -15% vs state -16% vs US
3 Bedroom
State avg: $1,499 · US avg: $1,525
$1,351/mo
↑ 1.2% YoY -10% vs state -11% vs US
4 Bedroom
State avg: $1,780 · US avg: $1,756
$1,649/mo
↓ 6.1% YoY -7% vs state -6% vs US

Year-over-Year Comparison

Bedrooms FY 2025 FY 2026 Change
Studio $836
$824
$-12 (-1.4%)
1 Bedroom $841
$829
$-12 (-1.4%)
2 Bedroom $1,046
$983
$-63 (-6.0%)
3 Bedroom $1,335
$1,351
+$16 (+1.2%)
4 Bedroom $1,757
$1,649
$-108 (-6.1%)

Rent Burden Analysis

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

Studio
16.2%
Affordable
Need $32,960/yr for 30% rule
1 Bedroom
16.3%
Affordable
Need $33,160/yr for 30% rule
2 Bedroom
19.3%
Affordable
Need $39,320/yr for 30% rule
3 Bedroom
26.6%
Affordable
Need $54,040/yr for 30% rule
4 Bedroom
32.4%
Burdened
Need $65,960/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%19.3%
Polk County 2-bedroom rent burden
County median income: $61,005 · National avg burden: 21.7% ·View North Carolina rent burden →

Where Polk sits among every US county

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

$983 higher than 43% 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 Polk compares on 1-bedroom rent

1-bedroom FMR vs other North Carolina counties

1BR FMR / mo

What this shows Polk is highlighted. Nearby North Carolina counties by 1-bedroom FMR, highest to lowest: Wake County ($1,596), Mecklenburg County ($1,538), Durham County ($1,507), Guilford County ($1,213), Cumberland County ($1,113), Forsyth County ($1,082), Polk County (this county) ($829).

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

Can Common Jobs Afford Rent Here?

How a 1-bedroom at $829/mo compares to North Carolina salaries for popular occupations (BLS wage data, 30%-of-income rule).

Occupation NC Salary Rent Burden Verdict
Software Developers $131,000 7.6% Affordable
General & Operations Managers $99,190 10% Affordable
Registered Nurses $81,860 12.2% Affordable
Accountants & Auditors $80,490 12.4% Affordable
Police & Sheriff's Patrol Officers $58,030 17.1% Affordable
Electricians $54,070 18.4% Affordable
Elementary School Teachers $49,400 20.1% Affordable
Paralegals & Legal Assistants $49,390 20.1% Affordable
Heavy & Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $49,580 20.1% Affordable
Pharmacy Technicians $39,870 25% Affordable
Customer Service Representatives $39,530 25.2% Affordable
Janitors & Cleaners $32,630 30.5% Stretched
Retail Salespersons $30,090 33.1% Stretched
Fast Food & Counter Workers $28,760 34.6% Stretched
Teaching Assistants $28,230 35.2% Stretched
Salaries: BLS OES (North Carolina) median · 30% = affordable threshold · Try the salary calculator →

Rent Trends (2020–2026)

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

Over the 6-year span HUD has tracked for Polk (FY 2020-2026), the 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent has risen 46.0% overall, from $568 to $829. Most of that movement was gradual except for a single sharp jump of +13.2% in FY 2022, well above this county's typical year-to-year change.

$500$600$700$800$900 FY2020FY2021FY2022FY2023FY2024FY2025FY2026 $829
Polk County 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent, FY2020–FY2026
Year Studio 1 BR 2 BR
FY 2026 ↓1.4% $824 $829 $983
FY 2025 ↑6.2% $836 $841 $1,046
FY 2024 ↑3.9% $787 $792 $1,004
FY 2023 ↑6.9% $757 $762 $924
FY 2022 ↑13.2% $710 $713 $823
FY 2021 ↑10.9% $626 $630 $768
FY 2020 $564 $568 $746
Total change (6yr): +46.0%
Annualized: +6.5%/yr
1 BR: $568 → $829

Where Polk County Ranks in North Carolina

Polk 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 #40 of 100 counties in North Carolina. Nearest by rank: Person County ($948), Davidson County ($960), Jackson County ($964), Northampton County ($972), Vance County ($975), Alleghany County ($978), Duplin County ($980), Harnett County ($980), Polk County (this county) ($983), Macon County ($987), Hoke County ($998), Perquimans County ($999), Avery County ($1,005), Wilson County ($1,025), Clay County ($1,039), Rockingham County ($1,040), Bertie County ($1,044).

Person County
2 BR: $948/mo
Davidson County
2 BR: $960/mo
Jackson County
2 BR: $964/mo
Northampton County
2 BR: $972/mo
Vance County
2 BR: $975/mo
Alleghany County
2 BR: $978/mo
Duplin County
2 BR: $980/mo
Harnett County
2 BR: $980/mo
Polk County (this county)
2 BR: $983/mo
Macon County
2 BR: $987/mo
Hoke County
2 BR: $998/mo
Perquimans County
2 BR: $999/mo
Avery County
2 BR: $1,005/mo
Wilson County
2 BR: $1,025/mo
Clay County
2 BR: $1,039/mo
Rockingham County
2 BR: $1,040/mo
Bertie County
2 BR: $1,044/mo

Nationwide peers by 2BR FMR & rent burden

Two PlainRent-derived comparison paths for Polk County, both outside North 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 NC (FY2026).

Otter Tail County
MN · 2 BR $983/mo
Osceola County
MI · 2 BR $983/mo
Washington County
AL · 2 BR $983/mo
Noble County
OH · 2 BR $983/mo

Similar rent burden

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

DuPage County
IL · 19.3% of income · 2 BR $1,781/mo
Cumberland County
TN · 19.3% of income · 2 BR $942/mo
Kalkaska County
MI · 19.3% of income · 2 BR $973/mo
Dakota County
NE · 19.3% of income · 2 BR $1,154/mo

Nearby Counties in North Carolina

Largest counties by population in North Carolina

Showing the 8 largest of 99 other counties in North Carolina.

Wake County
1 BR: $1,596/mo Pop: 1,132,103
Mecklenburg County
1 BR: $1,538/mo Pop: 1,115,403
Guilford County
1 BR: $1,213/mo Pop: 539,557
Forsyth County
1 BR: $1,082/mo Pop: 383,739
Cumberland County
1 BR: $1,113/mo Pop: 335,207
Durham County
1 BR: $1,507/mo Pop: 325,101
Buncombe County
1 BR: $1,429/mo Pop: 269,449
Union County
1 BR: $1,538/mo Pop: 240,109
View all counties in North Carolina →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average rent in Polk County? ▼
The FY 2026 Fair Market Rent for a 1-bedroom in Polk County is $829 per month. A 2-bedroom is $983 and a studio is $824.
How does Polk County rent compare to the national average? ▼
Rent in Polk County is 14% below the national average. A 1-bedroom here costs $829 compared to $959 nationally.
Where does Polk County rank nationally for Fair Market Rent? ▼
According to HUD's FY 2026 Fair Market Rent schedule, Polk County's 2-bedroom FMR of $983 ranks #1,353 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 Polk County? ▼
Based on the 30% affordability rule, you need an annual income of at least $33,160 ($2,763/month) to afford a 1-bedroom at Fair Market Rent in Polk County.
Is rent going up or down in Polk County? ▼
The 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent in Polk County decreased by 1.4% from FY 2025 to FY 2026, going from $841 to $829.
Which jobs can afford rent in Polk County? ▼
Based on North 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 $829/mo. 11 of 15 common occupations are affordable here.
How much has rent changed in Polk County over time? ▼
The 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent in Polk County went from $568 in FY 2020 to $829 in FY 2026, a total change of +46.0% over 6 years.
How does Fair Market Rent affect Section 8 vouchers in Polk County? ▼
In Polk County, the FY 2026 FMR of $829/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 Polk County? ▼
For Polk County, it's the specific 40th-percentile rent HUD publishes each year ($829/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.