County FMR · HUD FY2026

Washington County Fair Market Rent

HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent for Washington County, UT - 27% above the US average.

Compiled by PlainRent Editorial, Fair Market Rent Editorial Team · May 15, 2026

$1,218
1-bedroom FMR: $1,575
2-bedroom FMR: +4.5%
YoY change: +27%
vs US avg

The verdict

Washington is the 8th most expensive of 29 counties in Utah by 2-bedroom FMR.

#8
most expensive of 29 in Utah (2BR): +13%
vs the state average: $48,720
income to afford it (30% rule): +4.5%
YoY, FY2025→2026

Software Developers spend the smallest share of income on rent here (11.5%), while Fast Food and Counter Workers spend the most (51%); nearby Utah counties range as much as 54% apart in 1-bedroom FMR, so the county line itself can matter for renters comparing options.

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

The Fair Market Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Washington County, Utah is $1,218 per month in FY 2026, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). A 2-bedroom costs $1,575/mo and a studio is $1,210/mo. This is 27% higher than the national average of $959 and 13% above the Utah average of $1,082.

Rent increased4.5% from FY 2025 ($1,166), outpacing inflation. To afford rent here, a household needs at least $48,720/year based on the 30% affordability rule.

FY 2026 HUD Fair Market Rents in Utah. Population: 183,297. Population grew 18.2% over the past five years (Census ACS) - among the faster-growing counties nationally, a trend that typically adds upward pressure on rents. That's faster than Utah's statewide growth of +9.4% over the same period.

What these rents mean for Washington County

The Washington County FMR area applies to all ZIP codes inside the county boundary, and Utah's housing authorities use it as the baseline for Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher payment standards. See how FMR is calculated for the full 40th-percentile methodology and payment-standard rules.

Compared to the rest of the country, a 1-bedroom here is 27% above the US average of $959 and 13% higher than the Utah state average of $1,082. Year-over-year, the 1-bedroom FMR moved from$1,166 in FY 2025 to $1,218 in FY 2026 - a change of +4.5%, which outpaces typical consumer inflation.

At the FY 2026 1-bedroom FMR of $1,218, affording it under the 30%-of-income rule takes $48,720 per year (about $4,060/month) in household income, and a 2-bedroom at $1,575 pushes that threshold even higher. With a population of 183,297 and a county median household income of $76,411, the arithmetic here directly shapes which wage earners can rent without being cost-burdened.

Fair Market Rents (2026)

Studio

State avg: $981 · US avg: $893

$1,210/mo

↑ 5.6% YoY +23% vs state +35% vs US

1 Bedroom

State avg: $1,082 · US avg: $959

$1,218/mo

↑ 4.5% YoY +13% vs state +27% vs US

2 Bedroom

State avg: $1,313 · US avg: $1,175

$1,575/mo

↑ 6.1% YoY +20% vs state +34% vs US

3 Bedroom

State avg: $1,746 · US avg: $1,525

$2,072/mo

↑ 4.9% YoY +19% vs state +36% vs US

4 Bedroom

State avg: $2,105 · US avg: $1,756

$2,624/mo

↑ 5.2% YoY +25% vs state +49% vs US

Year-over-Year Comparison

Bedrooms	FY 2025	FY 2026	Change	vs State	vs US
Studio	$1,146	$1,210	+$64 (+5.6%)	+23%	+35%
1 Bedroom	$1,166	$1,218	+$52 (+4.5%)	+13%	+27%
2 Bedroom	$1,485	$1,575	+$90 (+6.1%)	+20%	+34%
3 Bedroom	$1,976	$2,072	+$96 (+4.9%)	+19%	+36%
4 Bedroom	$2,494	$2,624	+$130 (+5.2%)	+25%	+49%

Affordability Snapshot

Based on the standard that rent should not exceed 30% of gross income:

Required annual income for 1 BR

$48,720

$4,060/month gross

Required annual income for 2 BR

$63,000

$5,250/month gross

Rent Burden Analysis

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

Studio

19%

Affordable

Need $48,400/yr for 30% rule

1 Bedroom

19.1%

Affordable

Need $48,720/yr for 30% rule

2 Bedroom

24.7%

Affordable

Need $63,000/yr for 30% rule

3 Bedroom

32.5%

Burdened

Need $82,880/yr for 30% rule

4 Bedroom

41.2%

Burdened

Need $104,960/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.

Washington County 2-bedroom rent burden

County median income: $76,411 · National avg burden: 21.7% ·View Utah rent burden →

Where Washington sits among every US county

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

$1,575 Top 13% higher than 87% of 3,145 counties

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

Salt Lake

$1,456
Davis

$1,281
Weber

$1,281
Utah

$1,265
Washington

$1,218
Cache

$946
Tooele

$946

What this shows Washington is highlighted. Nearby Utah counties by 1-bedroom FMR, highest to lowest: Salt Lake County ($1,456), Davis County ($1,281), Weber County ($1,281), Utah County ($1,265), Washington County (this county) ($1,218), Cache County ($946), Tooele County ($946).

Can Common Jobs Afford Rent Here?

How a 1-bedroom at $1,218/mo compares to Utah salaries for popular occupations (BLS wage data, 30%-of-income rule).

Occupation	UT Salary	Rent Burden	Verdict
Software Developers	$127,390	11.5%	Affordable
General & Operations Managers	$91,230	16%	Affordable
Registered Nurses	$82,270	17.8%	Affordable
Police & Sheriff's Patrol Officers	$77,210	18.9%	Affordable
Accountants & Auditors	$75,100	19.5%	Affordable
Elementary School Teachers	$61,710	23.7%	Affordable
Electricians	$61,430	23.8%	Affordable
Heavy & Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers	$59,580	24.5%	Affordable
Paralegals & Legal Assistants	$55,630	26.3%	Affordable
Pharmacy Technicians	$46,760	31.3%	Stretched
Customer Service Representatives	$40,150	36.4%	Stretched
Teaching Assistants	$34,410	42.5%	Stretched
Retail Salespersons	$34,300	42.6%	Stretched
Janitors & Cleaners	$30,390	48.1%	Stretched
Fast Food & Counter Workers	$28,670	51%	Unaffordable

Salaries: BLS OES (Utah) 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 60.9% overall, from $757 to $1,218. Most of that movement was gradual except for a single sharp jump of +15.0% in FY 2022, well above this county's typical year-to-year change.

Washington County 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent, FY2020–FY2026

Year	Studio	1 BR	2 BR	3 BR	4 BR
FY 2026 ↑4.5%	$1,210	$1,218	$1,575	$2,072	$2,624
FY 2025 ↑6.1%	$1,146	$1,166	$1,485	$1,976	$2,494
FY 2024 ↑8.7%	$1,010	$1,099	$1,355	$1,856	$2,299
FY 2023 ↑12.6%	$924	$1,011	$1,226	$1,734	$2,088
FY 2022 ↑15.0%	$837	$898	$1,089	$1,547	$1,864
FY 2021 ↑3.2%	$751	$781	$970	$1,388	$1,679
FY 2020	$711	$757	$959	$1,383	$1,684

Total change (6yr): +60.9%

Annualized: +8.2%/yr

1 BR: $757 → $1,218

Part of the St. George, UT Metro Area

Washington County is a central county of the St. George, UT metropolitan statistical area.

Nearby Counties in Utah

Largest counties by population in Utah

Salt Lake County

1 BR: $1,456/mo Pop: 1,180,643

Utah County

1 BR: $1,265/mo Pop: 666,021

Davis County

1 BR: $1,281/mo Pop: 363,032

Weber County

1 BR: $1,281/mo Pop: 262,960

Cache County

1 BR: $946/mo Pop: 134,428

Tooele County

1 BR: $946/mo Pop: 74,032

Box Elder County

1 BR: $983/mo Pop: 58,291

Iron County

1 BR: $888/mo Pop: 58,068

View all counties in Utah →

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 $1,218 per month. A 2-bedroom is $1,575 and a studio is $1,210.

How does Washington County rent compare to the national average? ▼

Rent in Washington County is 27% above the national average. A 1-bedroom here costs $1,218 compared to $959 nationally.

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 $48,720 ($4,060/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 4.5% from FY 2025 to FY 2026, going from $1,166 to $1,218.

Which jobs can afford rent in Washington County? ▼

Based on Utah BLS salary data and the 30% affordability rule, jobs like Software Developers, General and Operations Managers, Registered Nurses can afford a 1-bedroom at $1,218/mo. 9 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 $757 in FY 2020 to $1,218 in FY 2026, a total change of +60.9% over 6 years.

How does Fair Market Rent affect Section 8 vouchers in Washington County? ▼

In Washington County, the FY 2026 FMR of $1,218/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 ($1,218/mo for a 1-bedroom in FY 2026).

What this means for renters

Treat Washington's FY2026 Fair Market Rent as HUD's affordability benchmark, not a market quote.

Budget to roughly 30% of income: the FY2026 1-bedroom FMR of $1,218 implies about $48,720/yr to rent without being cost-burdened. Run your numbers
Compare this county against nearby metros and states before signing a lease. Compare areas
See where it sits on the national rent map. View rankings

Fair Market Rent is HUD's 40th-percentile policy benchmark used to set Housing Choice Voucher payment standards. Actual asking rents in Washington can run higher or lower, and HUD updates FMRs once a year. This page is informational and not financial or relocation advice.

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.