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; nationally it ranks #1,479 most affordable of 3,145 HUD counties; rent here has climbed 8.3% since FY 2025, a modest shift relative to most counties.

#1,479
most affordable of 3,145 US counties (2BR)
#2
cheapest of 36 in Oregon (2BR)
-33%
vs the state average
$30,800
income to afford it (30% rule)

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. The 30% affordability floor is comparatively reachable here at $30,800/year.

Observed renter burden: 22.1% of the 204 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 Oregon. Population: 1,407.

FMR filing desk

Area WHEELER·COUNTY·OR·OR

Wheeler County, OR: $770/mo 1BR · #1479 of 3145 counties (2BR) · FY2026

  • FMR-AREA OR
  • 1BR-FMR $770
  • 2BR-FMR $1,010
  • RANK-MID #1,479
  • YOY-SURGE +8.3%
  • VSUS-BELOW -20%
  • VS-ST-LOW -33% OR
  • INC-ROOM 18%
  • POP-SMALL 1K
  • PHOTO-NEAR Multnomah County
  • VOUCH-90-110 $693–$847
  • FY-2026 FY2026

Photo-finish peer: Multnomah ($907 1BR gap)

Read with: Section 8 housing guide

Fair Market Rents (2026)

Studio
State avg: $1,051 · US avg: $893
$703/mo
↑ 9.8% YoY -33% vs state -21% vs US
1 Bedroom
State avg: $1,143 · US avg: $959
$770/mo
↑ 8.3% YoY -33% vs state -20% vs US
2 Bedroom
State avg: $1,425 · US avg: $1,175
$1,010/mo
↑ 8.3% YoY -29% vs state -14% vs US
3 Bedroom
State avg: $1,963 · US avg: $1,525
$1,405/mo
↑ 7.5% YoY -28% vs state -8% vs US
4 Bedroom
State avg: $2,318 · US avg: $1,756
$1,694/mo
↑ 8.1% YoY -27% vs state -4% vs US

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%)

Rent Burden Analysis

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

Studio
16.5%
Affordable
Need $28,120/yr for 30% rule
1 Bedroom
18%
Affordable
Need $30,800/yr for 30% rule
2 Bedroom
23.6%
Affordable
Need $40,400/yr for 30% rule
3 Bedroom
32.9%
Burdened
Need $56,200/yr for 30% rule
4 Bedroom
39.7%
Burdened
Need $67,760/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%23.6%
Wheeler County 2-bedroom rent burden
County median income: $51,250 · National avg burden: 21.7% ·View Oregon 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

$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%). This entry sits in this band. $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 Wheeler compares on 1-bedroom rent

1-bedroom FMR vs other Oregon counties

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).

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 $770/mo, most of these Oregon occupations clear, or miss, the 30% affordability line.

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
Salaries: BLS OES (Oregon) median · 30% = affordable threshold · Try the salary calculator →

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).

$500$550$600$650$700$750$800 FY2020FY2021FY2022FY2023FY2024FY2025FY2026 $770
Wheeler County 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent, FY2020–FY2026
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
Total change (6yr): +39.0%
Annualized: +5.6%/yr
1 BR: $554 → $770

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).

Harney County
2 BR: $1,008/mo
Wheeler County (this county)
2 BR: $1,010/mo
Morrow County
2 BR: $1,027/mo
Baker County
2 BR: $1,047/mo
Gilliam County
2 BR: $1,048/mo
Malheur County
2 BR: $1,081/mo
Grant County
2 BR: $1,127/mo
Wallowa County
2 BR: $1,149/mo

Nationwide peers by 2BR FMR & rent burden

Two PlainRent-derived comparison paths for Wheeler County, both outside Oregon 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 OR (FY2026).

Mecosta County
MI · 2 BR $1,010/mo
Buena Vista County
IA · 2 BR $1,010/mo
Trinity County
TX · 2 BR $1,010/mo
Lancaster County
SC · 2 BR $1,011/mo

Similar rent burden

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

Ontario County
NY · 23.6% of income · 2 BR $1,573/mo
Essex County
VA · 23.6% of income · 2 BR $1,113/mo
Ingham County
MI · 23.6% of income · 2 BR $1,268/mo
Cumberland County
ME · 23.7% of income · 2 BR $1,833/mo

Nearby Counties in Oregon

Largest counties by population in Oregon

Showing the 8 largest of 35 other counties in Oregon.

Multnomah County
1 BR: $1,677/mo Pop: 808,098
Washington County
1 BR: $1,677/mo Pop: 599,541
Clackamas County
1 BR: $1,677/mo Pop: 420,925
Lane County
1 BR: $1,286/mo Pop: 382,218
Marion County
1 BR: $1,201/mo Pop: 345,815
Jackson County
1 BR: $1,229/mo Pop: 222,604
Deschutes County
1 BR: $1,371/mo Pop: 199,352
Linn County
1 BR: $1,236/mo Pop: 128,598
View all counties in Oregon →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average rent in Wheeler County? ▼
The FY 2026 Fair Market Rent for a 1-bedroom in Wheeler County is $770 per month. A 2-bedroom is $1,010 and a studio is $703.
How does Wheeler County rent compare to the national average? ▼
Rent in Wheeler County is 20% below the national average. A 1-bedroom here costs $770 compared to $959 nationally.
Where does Wheeler County rank nationally for Fair Market Rent? ▼
According to HUD's FY 2026 Fair Market Rent schedule, Wheeler County's 2-bedroom FMR of $1,010 ranks #1,479 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 Wheeler County? ▼
Based on the 30% affordability rule, you need an annual income of at least $30,800 ($2,567/month) to afford a 1-bedroom at Fair Market Rent in Wheeler County.
Is rent going up or down in Wheeler County? ▼
The 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent in Wheeler County increased by 8.3% from FY 2025 to FY 2026, going from $711 to $770.
Which jobs can afford rent in Wheeler County? ▼
Based on Oregon BLS salary data and the 30% affordability rule, jobs like Software Developers, Registered Nurses, General and Operations Managers can afford a 1-bedroom at $770/mo. 15 of 15 common occupations are affordable here.
How much has rent changed in Wheeler County over time? ▼
The 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent in Wheeler County went from $554 in FY 2020 to $770 in FY 2026, a total change of +39.0% over 6 years.
How does Fair Market Rent affect Section 8 vouchers in Wheeler County? ▼
In Wheeler County, the FY 2026 FMR of $770/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 Wheeler County? ▼
For Wheeler County, it's the specific 40th-percentile rent HUD publishes each year ($770/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.