County FMR · HUD FY2026
Wheeler County Fair Market Rent
HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent for Wheeler County, OR - 20% below the US average.
- $770
- 1-bedroom FMR
- $1,010
- 2-bedroom FMR
- +8.3%
- YoY change
- -20%
- vs US avg
The verdict
Wheeler is the 2nd cheapest of 36 counties in Oregon by 2-bedroom FMR; rent here has climbed 8.3% since FY 2025, a modest shift relative to most counties.
- #2
- cheapest of 36 in Oregon (2BR)
- -33%
- vs the state average
- $30,800
- income to afford it (30% rule)
- +8.3%
- YoY, FY2025→2026
Software Developers spend the smallest share of income on rent here (6.8%), while Fast Food and Counter Workers spend the most (26.8%); 15 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 Wheeler County, OR. Verify with HUD →
The Fair Market Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Wheeler County, Oregon is $770 per month in FY 2026, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). A 2-bedroom costs $1,010/mo and a studio is $703/mo. This is 20% lower than the national average of $959 and 33% below the Oregon average of $1,143.
Rent increased8.3% from FY 2025 ($711), outpacing inflation. To afford rent here, a household needs at least $30,800/year based on the 30% affordability rule.
FY 2026 HUD Fair Market Rents in Oregon. Population: 1,407.
What these rents mean for Wheeler County
The Wheeler County FMR area applies to all ZIP codes inside the county boundary, and Oregon'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 20% below the US average of $959 and 33% lower than the Oregon state average of $1,143. Year-over-year, the 1-bedroom FMR moved from$711 in FY 2025 to $770 in FY 2026 - a change of +8.3%, which outpaces typical consumer inflation.
At the FY 2026 1-bedroom FMR of $770, affording it under the 30%-of-income rule takes $30,800 per year (about $2,567/month) in household income, and a 2-bedroom at $1,010 pushes that threshold even higher. With a population of 1,407 and a county median household income of $51,250, the arithmetic here directly shapes which wage earners can rent without being cost-burdened.
Fair Market Rents (2026)
Year-over-Year Comparison
| Bedrooms | FY 2025 | FY 2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $640 | $703 | +$63 (+9.8%) |
| 1 Bedroom | $711 | $770 | +$59 (+8.3%) |
| 2 Bedroom | $933 | $1,010 | +$77 (+8.3%) |
| 3 Bedroom | $1,307 | $1,405 | +$98 (+7.5%) |
| 4 Bedroom | $1,567 | $1,694 | +$127 (+8.1%) |
Affordability Snapshot
Based on the standard that rent should not exceed 30% of gross income:
Rent Burden Analysis
How much of household income goes to rent in Wheeler County. The 30% threshold indicates cost burden.
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.
Wheeler County 2-bedroom rent burden
Where Wheeler sits among every US county
2-bedroom Fair Market Rent vs. all 3,145 HUD counties
$1,010 higher than 47% 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
How Wheeler compares on 1-bedroom rent
1-bedroom FMR vs other Oregon counties
- Multnomah
Multnomah County
$1,677 1BR FMR / mo
- Washington
Washington County
$1,677 1BR FMR / mo
- Clackamas
Clackamas County
$1,677 1BR FMR / mo
- Lane
Lane County
$1,286 1BR FMR / mo
- Jackson
Jackson County
$1,229 1BR FMR / mo
- Marion
Marion County
$1,201 1BR FMR / mo
- Wheeler
Wheeler County
$770 1BR FMR / mo
What this shows Wheeler is highlighted. Nearby Oregon counties by 1-bedroom FMR, highest to lowest: Multnomah County ($1,677), Washington County ($1,677), Clackamas County ($1,677), Lane County ($1,286), Jackson County ($1,229), Marion County ($1,201), Wheeler County (this county) ($770).
Can Common Jobs Afford Rent Here?
How a 1-bedroom at $770/mo compares to Oregon salaries for popular occupations (BLS wage data, 30%-of-income rule).
| Occupation | OR Salary | Rent Burden | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Developers | $135,260 | 6.8% | Affordable |
| Registered Nurses | $123,990 | 7.5% | Affordable |
| General & Operations Managers | $98,580 | 9.4% | Affordable |
| Electricians | $97,320 | 9.5% | Affordable |
| Police & Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $88,140 | 10.5% | Affordable |
| Accountants & Auditors | $81,130 | 11.4% | Affordable |
| Elementary School Teachers | $75,800 | 12.2% | Affordable |
| Paralegals & Legal Assistants | $63,970 | 14.4% | Affordable |
| Heavy & Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $61,180 | 15.1% | Affordable |
| Pharmacy Technicians | $51,210 | 18% | Affordable |
| Customer Service Representatives | $46,280 | 20% | Affordable |
| Janitors & Cleaners | $37,550 | 24.6% | Affordable |
| Teaching Assistants | $36,540 | 25.3% | Affordable |
| Retail Salespersons | $36,140 | 25.6% | Affordable |
| Fast Food & Counter Workers | $34,430 | 26.8% | Affordable |
Rent Trends (2020–2026)
7-year Fair Market Rent history for Wheeler County. Shows how HUD rental rates have changed over time.
Over the 6-year span HUD has tracked for Wheeler (FY 2020-2026), the 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent has risen 39.0% overall, from $554 to $770. The increases have been fairly steady year to year, with no single jump exceeding 8.3% (FY 2026).
| Year | Studio | 1 BR | 2 BR |
|---|---|---|---|
| FY 2026 ↑8.3% | $703 | $770 | $1,010 |
| FY 2025 ↑3.2% | $640 | $711 | $933 |
| FY 2024 ↑8.2% | $613 | $689 | $905 |
| FY 2023 ↑4.6% | $561 | $637 | $839 |
| FY 2022 ↑4.1% | $530 | $609 | $798 |
| FY 2021 ↑5.6% | $501 | $585 | $759 |
| FY 2020 | $465 | $554 | $714 |
Where Wheeler County Ranks in Oregon
Wheeler 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 #2 of 36 counties in Oregon. Nearest by rank: Harney County ($1,008), Wheeler County (this county) ($1,010), Morrow County ($1,027), Baker County ($1,047), Gilliam County ($1,048), Malheur County ($1,081), Grant County ($1,127), Wallowa County ($1,149).
Nearby Counties in Oregon
Largest counties by population in Oregon
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average rent in Wheeler County? ▼
How does Wheeler County rent compare to the national average? ▼
What income do I need to afford rent in Wheeler County? ▼
Is rent going up or down in Wheeler County? ▼
Which jobs can afford rent in Wheeler County? ▼
How much has rent changed in Wheeler County over time? ▼
How does Fair Market Rent affect Section 8 vouchers in Wheeler County? ▼
What does Fair Market Rent mean for Wheeler County? ▼
What this means for renters
Treat Wheeler'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 $770 implies about $30,800/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 Wheeler 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.
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.