County FMR · HUD FY2026

Washington County Fair Market Rent

HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent for Washington County, MD - 0% above the US average.

$961
1-bedroom FMR
$1,261
2-bedroom FMR
+1.5%
YoY change
+0%
vs US avg

The verdict

Washington is the 7th cheapest of 24 counties in Maryland by 2-bedroom FMR; nationally it ranks #849 most expensive of 3,145 HUD counties.

#849
most expensive of 3,145 US counties (2BR)
#7
cheapest of 24 in Maryland (2BR)
-32%
vs the state average
$38,440
income to afford it (30% rule)

Software Developers spend the smallest share of income on rent here (8.4%), while Fast Food and Counter Workers spend the most (37%).

FY 2026 HUD Fair Market Rent for Washington County, MD. Verify with HUD →

The Fair Market Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Washington County, Maryland is $961 per month in FY 2026, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). A 2-bedroom costs $1,261/mo and a studio is $869/mo. This is 0% higher than the national average of $959 and 32% below the Maryland average of $1,404.

Rent increased1.5% from FY 2025 ($947), roughly tracking inflation. Under the 30% rule, affordability starts near $38,440/year for a 1-bedroom.

Observed renter burden: 45.3% of the 20,266 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 Maryland. Population: 154,645. Population has held roughly steady over the past five years (+3.5%, Census ACS). That's in line with Maryland's statewide growth of +2.8% over the same period.

FMR filing desk

Area WASHINGTON·COUNTY·MD·MD

Washington County, MD: $961/mo 1BR · #849 of 3145 counties (2BR) · FY2026

  • FMR-AREA MD
  • 1BR-FMR $961
  • 2BR-FMR $1,261
  • RANK-MID #849
  • YOY-FLAT +1.5%
  • VSUS-NEAR +0%
  • VS-ST-LOW -32% MD
  • INC-ROOM 16%
  • POP-MID 155K
  • PHOTO-NEAR Montgomery County
  • VOUCH-90-110 $865–$1,057
  • FY-2026 FY2026

Photo-finish peer: Montgomery ($1,054 1BR gap)

Read with: How Fair Market Rent works

Fair Market Rents (2026)

Studio
State avg: $1,314 · US avg: $893
$869/mo
↑ 2.0% YoY -34% vs state -3% vs US
1 Bedroom
State avg: $1,404 · US avg: $959
$961/mo
↑ 1.5% YoY -32% vs state +0% vs US
2 Bedroom
State avg: $1,657 · US avg: $1,175
$1,261/mo
↑ 1.5% YoY -24% vs state +7% vs US
3 Bedroom
State avg: $2,133 · US avg: $1,525
$1,700/mo
↓ 0.6% YoY -20% vs state +11% vs US
4 Bedroom
State avg: $2,449 · US avg: $1,756
$1,901/mo
↓ 0.1% YoY -22% vs state +8% vs US

Year-over-Year Comparison

Bedrooms FY 2025 FY 2026 Change
Studio $852
$869
+$17 (+2.0%)
1 Bedroom $947
$961
+$14 (+1.5%)
2 Bedroom $1,242
$1,261
+$19 (+1.5%)
3 Bedroom $1,711
$1,700
$-11 (-0.6%)
4 Bedroom $1,902
$1,901
$-1 (-0.1%)

Rent Burden Analysis

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

Studio
14.1%
Affordable
Need $34,760/yr for 30% rule
1 Bedroom
15.6%
Affordable
Need $38,440/yr for 30% rule
2 Bedroom
20.4%
Affordable
Need $50,440/yr for 30% rule
3 Bedroom
27.5%
Affordable
Need $68,000/yr for 30% rule
4 Bedroom
30.8%
Burdened
Need $76,040/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%20.4%
Washington County 2-bedroom rent burden
County median income: $74,157 · National avg burden: 21.7% ·View Maryland rent burden →

Where Washington sits among every US county

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

$1,261 Top 27% higher than 73% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $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 Washington compares on 1-bedroom rent

1-bedroom FMR vs other Maryland counties

1BR FMR / mo

What this shows Washington is highlighted. Nearby Maryland counties by 1-bedroom FMR, highest to lowest: Montgomery County ($2,015), Prince George's County ($2,015), Baltimore County ($1,511), Anne Arundel County ($1,511), Baltimore city ($1,511), Howard County ($1,511), Washington County (this county) ($961).

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

Can Common Jobs Afford Rent Here?

How a 1-bedroom at $961/mo compares to Maryland salaries for popular occupations (BLS wage data, 30%-of-income rule).

Occupation MD Salary Rent Burden Verdict
Software Developers $137,890 8.4% Affordable
General & Operations Managers $105,320 10.9% Affordable
Registered Nurses $96,830 11.9% Affordable
Accountants & Auditors $84,890 13.6% Affordable
Police & Sheriff's Patrol Officers $77,440 14.9% Affordable
Elementary School Teachers $74,720 15.4% Affordable
Electricians $65,650 17.6% Affordable
Paralegals & Legal Assistants $63,560 18.1% Affordable
Heavy & Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $57,180 20.2% Affordable
Pharmacy Technicians $43,100 26.8% Affordable
Customer Service Representatives $40,310 28.6% Affordable
Janitors & Cleaners $36,090 32% Stretched
Teaching Assistants $35,700 32.3% Stretched
Retail Salespersons $34,310 33.6% Stretched
Fast Food & Counter Workers $31,200 37% Stretched
Salaries: BLS OES (Maryland) median · 30% = affordable threshold · Try the salary calculator →

Rent Trends (2020–2026)

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

Over the 6-year span HUD has tracked for Washington (FY 2020-2026), the 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent has risen 42.2% overall, from $676 to $961. Most of that movement was gradual except for a single sharp jump of +13.9% in FY 2024, well above this county's typical year-to-year change.

$600$700$800$900$1,000 FY2020FY2021FY2022FY2023FY2024FY2025FY2026 $961
Washington County 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent, FY2020–FY2026
Year Studio 1 BR 2 BR
FY 2026 ↑1.5% $869 $961 $1,261
FY 2025 ↑1.6% $852 $947 $1,242
FY 2024 ↑13.9% $830 $932 $1,225
FY 2023 ↑8.1% $709 $818 $1,060
FY 2022 ↑10.8% $646 $757 $972
FY 2021 ↑1.0% $577 $683 $874
FY 2020 $568 $676 $871
Total change (6yr): +42.2%
Annualized: +6.0%/yr
1 BR: $676 → $961

Part of the Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV Metro Area

Washington County is a central county of the Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV metropolitan statistical area, alongside 2 other metro-area counties.

Washington County ranks #2 of 3 counties in this metro area by 1-bedroom FMR. Every county sharing this metro, highest to lowest: Berkeley County ($971), Washington County (this county) ($961), Morgan County ($732).

Berkeley County
1 BR: $971/mo
Washington County (this county)
1 BR: $961/mo
Morgan County
1 BR: $732/mo

Nationwide peers by 2BR FMR & rent burden

Two PlainRent-derived comparison paths for Washington County, both outside Maryland 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 MD (FY2026).

Richmond County
GA · 2 BR $1,261/mo
Aiken County
SC · 2 BR $1,261/mo
Columbia County
GA · 2 BR $1,261/mo
Augusta County
VA · 2 BR $1,261/mo

Similar rent burden

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

Chugach Census Area
AK · 20.4% of income · 2 BR $1,506/mo
Allegheny County
PA · 20.4% of income · 2 BR $1,299/mo
Terrebonne Parish
LA · 20.4% of income · 2 BR $1,102/mo
Grant County
KY · 20.4% of income · 2 BR $1,155/mo

Nearby Counties in Maryland

Largest counties by population in Maryland

Showing the 8 largest of 23 other counties in Maryland.

Montgomery County
1 BR: $2,015/mo Pop: 1,056,910
Prince George's County
1 BR: $2,015/mo Pop: 957,189
Baltimore County
1 BR: $1,511/mo Pop: 850,737
Anne Arundel County
1 BR: $1,511/mo Pop: 588,109
Baltimore city
1 BR: $1,511/mo Pop: 584,548
Howard County
1 BR: $1,511/mo Pop: 332,011
Frederick County
1 BR: $2,015/mo Pop: 273,829
Harford County
1 BR: $1,511/mo Pop: 261,059
View all counties in Maryland →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average rent in Washington County? ▼
The FY 2026 Fair Market Rent for a 1-bedroom in Washington County is $961 per month. A 2-bedroom is $1,261 and a studio is $869.
How does Washington County rent compare to the national average? ▼
Rent in Washington County is 0% above the national average. A 1-bedroom here costs $961 compared to $959 nationally.
Where does Washington County rank nationally for Fair Market Rent? ▼
According to HUD's FY 2026 Fair Market Rent schedule, Washington County's 2-bedroom FMR of $1,261 ranks #849 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 Washington County? ▼
Based on the 30% affordability rule, you need an annual income of at least $38,440 ($3,203/month) to afford a 1-bedroom at Fair Market Rent in Washington County.
Is rent going up or down in Washington County? ▼
The 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent in Washington County increased by 1.5% from FY 2025 to FY 2026, going from $947 to $961.
Which jobs can afford rent in Washington County? ▼
Based on Maryland BLS salary data and the 30% affordability rule, jobs like Software Developers, General and Operations Managers, Registered Nurses can afford a 1-bedroom at $961/mo. 11 of 15 common occupations are affordable here.
How much has rent changed in Washington County over time? ▼
The 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent in Washington County went from $676 in FY 2020 to $961 in FY 2026, a total change of +42.2% over 6 years.
How does Fair Market Rent affect Section 8 vouchers in Washington County? ▼
In Washington County, the FY 2026 FMR of $961/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 Washington County? ▼
For Washington County, it's the specific 40th-percentile rent HUD publishes each year ($961/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.