County FMR · HUD FY2026

Smyth County Fair Market Rent

HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent for Smyth County, VA - 21% below the US average.

$753
1-bedroom FMR
$914
2-bedroom FMR
+4.3%
YoY change
-21%
vs US avg

The verdict

Smyth is the 22nd cheapest of 133 counties in Virginia by 2-bedroom FMR; nationally it ranks #441 most affordable of 3,145 HUD counties.

#441
most affordable of 3,145 US counties (2BR)
#22
cheapest of 133 in Virginia (2BR)
-36%
vs the state average
$30,120
income to afford it (30% rule)

Software Developers spend the smallest share of income on rent here (6.7%), while Fast Food and Counter Workers spend the most (31.1%); 14 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 Smyth County, VA. Verify with HUD →

HUD sets the FY 2026 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent for Smyth County, Virginia at $753 per month - the federal rental-assistance benchmark for this county. A 2-bedroom costs $914/mo and a studio is $642/mo. This is 21% lower than the national average of $959 and 36% below the Virginia average of $1,182.

Rent increased4.3% from FY 2025 ($722), outpacing inflation. The 30% affordability floor is comparatively reachable here at $30,120/year.

Observed renter burden: 37.4% of the 3,650 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: 29,799. Population has held roughly steady over the past five years (-4.7%, Census ACS). That's slower than Virginia's statewide growth of +2.9% over the same period.

FMR filing desk

Area SMYTH·COUNTY·VA·VA

Smyth County, VA: $753/mo 1BR · #441 of 3145 counties (2BR) · FY2026

  • FMR-AREA VA
  • 1BR-FMR $753
  • 2BR-FMR $914
  • RANK-MID #441
  • YOY-UP +4.3%
  • VSUS-BELOW -21%
  • VS-ST-LOW -36% VA
  • INC-ROOM 19%
  • POP-SMALL 30K
  • PHOTO-NEAR Fairfax County
  • VOUCH-90-110 $678–$828
  • FY-2026 FY2026

Photo-finish peer: Fairfax ($1,262 1BR gap)

Read with: Section 8 housing guide

Fair Market Rents (2026)

Studio
State avg: $1,137 · US avg: $893
$642/mo
↑ 9.9% YoY -44% vs state -28% vs US
1 Bedroom
State avg: $1,182 · US avg: $959
$753/mo
↑ 4.3% YoY -36% vs state -21% vs US
2 Bedroom
State avg: $1,369 · US avg: $1,175
$914/mo
↑ 7.4% YoY -33% vs state -22% vs US
3 Bedroom
State avg: $1,789 · US avg: $1,525
$1,191/mo
↑ 8.4% YoY -33% vs state -22% vs US
4 Bedroom
State avg: $2,128 · US avg: $1,756
$1,429/mo
↑ 3.3% YoY -33% vs state -19% vs US

Year-over-Year Comparison

Bedrooms FY 2025 FY 2026 Change
Studio $584
$642
+$58 (+9.9%)
1 Bedroom $722
$753
+$31 (+4.3%)
2 Bedroom $851
$914
+$63 (+7.4%)
3 Bedroom $1,099
$1,191
+$92 (+8.4%)
4 Bedroom $1,383
$1,429
+$46 (+3.3%)

Rent Burden Analysis

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

Studio
16.4%
Affordable
Need $25,680/yr for 30% rule
1 Bedroom
19.3%
Affordable
Need $30,120/yr for 30% rule
2 Bedroom
23.4%
Affordable
Need $36,560/yr for 30% rule
3 Bedroom
30.5%
Burdened
Need $47,640/yr for 30% rule
4 Bedroom
36.6%
Burdened
Need $57,160/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%23.4%
Smyth County 2-bedroom rent burden
County median income: $46,859 · National avg burden: 21.7% ·View Virginia rent burden →

Where Smyth sits among every US county

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

$914 higher than 14% 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 Smyth compares on 1-bedroom rent

1-bedroom FMR vs other Virginia counties

1BR FMR / mo

What this shows Smyth 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), Smyth County (this county) ($753).

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 $753/mo, most of these Virginia occupations clear, or miss, the 30% affordability line.

Occupation VA Salary Rent Burden Verdict
Software Developers $134,470 6.7% Affordable
General & Operations Managers $121,530 7.4% Affordable
Registered Nurses $88,820 10.2% Affordable
Accountants & Auditors $84,190 10.7% Affordable
Police & Sheriff's Patrol Officers $65,110 13.9% Affordable
Elementary School Teachers $62,270 14.5% Affordable
Electricians $61,610 14.7% Affordable
Paralegals & Legal Assistants $61,200 14.8% Affordable
Heavy & Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $54,500 16.6% Affordable
Pharmacy Technicians $42,490 21.3% Affordable
Customer Service Representatives $39,210 23% Affordable
Teaching Assistants $36,650 24.7% Affordable
Janitors & Cleaners $33,970 26.6% Affordable
Retail Salespersons $32,760 27.6% Affordable
Fast Food & Counter Workers $29,060 31.1% Stretched
Salaries: BLS OES (Virginia) median · 30% = affordable threshold · Try the salary calculator →

Rent Trends (2020–2026)

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

Over the 6-year span HUD has tracked for Smyth (FY 2020-2026), the 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent has risen 31.9% overall, from $571 to $753. The path there hasn't been smooth: year-over-year moves have swung by as much as 15.9% (FY 2024), a volatility pattern that makes single-year comparisons a poor guide to the underlying trend.

$550$600$650$700$750$800$850 FY2020FY2021FY2022FY2023FY2024FY2025FY2026 $753
Smyth County 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent, FY2020–FY2026
Year Studio 1 BR 2 BR
FY 2026 ↑4.3% $642 $753 $914
FY 2025 ↓8.5% $584 $722 $851
FY 2024 ↑15.9% $613 $789 $905
FY 2023 ↑15.8% $530 $681 $793
FY 2022 ↑4.6% $466 $588 $702
FY 2021 ↓1.6% $472 $562 $701
FY 2020 $482 $571 $714
Total change (6yr): +31.9%
Annualized: +4.7%/yr
1 BR: $571 → $753

Where Smyth County Ranks in Virginia

Smyth 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 #22 of 133 counties in Virginia. Nearest by rank: Highland County ($914), Lee County ($914), Lunenburg County ($914), Martinsville city ($914), Norton city ($914), Patrick County ($914), Pittsylvania County ($914), Russell County ($914), Smyth County (this 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 ($950).

Highland County
2 BR: $914/mo
Lee County
2 BR: $914/mo
Lunenburg County
2 BR: $914/mo
Martinsville city
2 BR: $914/mo
Norton city
2 BR: $914/mo
Patrick County
2 BR: $914/mo
Pittsylvania County
2 BR: $914/mo
Russell County
2 BR: $914/mo
Smyth County (this 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
2 BR: $950/mo

Nationwide peers by 2BR FMR & rent burden

Two PlainRent-derived comparison paths for Smyth 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).

Fayette County
WV · 2 BR $915/mo
Boyle County
KY · 2 BR $913/mo
Mason County
KY · 2 BR $913/mo
Carlisle County
KY · 2 BR $915/mo

Similar rent burden

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

Adair County
OK · 23.4% of income · 2 BR $937/mo
Crawford County
IN · 23.4% of income · 2 BR $956/mo
Washington Parish
LA · 23.4% of income · 2 BR $834/mo
Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area
AK · 23.4% of income · 2 BR $1,153/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 Smyth County? ▼
The FY 2026 Fair Market Rent for a 1-bedroom in Smyth County is $753 per month. A 2-bedroom is $914 and a studio is $642.
How does Smyth County rent compare to the national average? ▼
Rent in Smyth County is 21% below the national average. A 1-bedroom here costs $753 compared to $959 nationally.
Where does Smyth County rank nationally for Fair Market Rent? ▼
According to HUD's FY 2026 Fair Market Rent schedule, Smyth County's 2-bedroom FMR of $914 ranks #441 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 Smyth County? ▼
Based on the 30% affordability rule, you need an annual income of at least $30,120 ($2,510/month) to afford a 1-bedroom at Fair Market Rent in Smyth County.
Is rent going up or down in Smyth County? ▼
The 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent in Smyth County increased by 4.3% from FY 2025 to FY 2026, going from $722 to $753.
Which jobs can afford rent in Smyth 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 $753/mo. 14 of 15 common occupations are affordable here.
How much has rent changed in Smyth County over time? ▼
The 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent in Smyth County went from $571 in FY 2020 to $753 in FY 2026, a total change of +31.9% over 6 years.
How does Fair Market Rent affect Section 8 vouchers in Smyth County? ▼
In Smyth County, the FY 2026 FMR of $753/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 Smyth County? ▼
For Smyth County, it's the specific 40th-percentile rent HUD publishes each year ($753/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.