Columbus, OH Fair Market Rent (FY2026)
Columbus, OH HUD Metro FMR Area · OH · 7 counties · pop. 2,010,257 (2023)
The FY2026 Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom in Columbus, OH is $1,430/month. Across bedroom sizes the HUD FMR runs from $1,111 (studio) to $1,927 (4-bedroom). That 2-bedroom figure is $455 above the US national median FMR of $975 — well above the national median FMR — and ranks #56 of 75 among the largest metros (1 = most expensive). FMR is the federal voucher rent standard, not the market median.
Source: HUD USER, FY2026 Fair Market Rents (40th percentile, revised final). Data as of June 2026.
Columbus, OH FMR by bedroom size
| Unit size | Monthly FMR | ≈ Weekly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / efficiency | $1,111 | $257 | $13,332 |
| 1-bedroom | $1,194 | $276 | $14,328 |
| 2-bedroom | $1,430 | $330 | $17,160 |
| 3-bedroom | $1,715 | $396 | $20,580 |
| 4-bedroom | $1,927 | $445 | $23,124 |
Source: HUD USER, FY2026 Fair Market Rents (40th percentile, revised final). Data as of June 2026.
Weekly and annual figures are simple conversions of the monthly FMR (÷4.33 and ×12). The monthly FMR is HUD's published value. Verify on huduser.gov.
What this FMR means
Fair Market Rent is HUD's estimate of the 40th-percentile gross rent — contract rent plus tenant-paid utilities — for a modest, non-luxury unit in Columbus, OH. It is recalculated each fiscal year from American Community Survey rent data and a current-year inflation factor. Public housing agencies use the FMR to set Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) payment standards, typically 90–110% of the FMR. A higher FMR means the program will cover a higher rent in this area; it does not mean landlords charge exactly this much.
Columbus, OH vs its state and the US
| Benchmark | 2-bedroom FMR |
|---|---|
| Columbus, OH | $1,430 |
| Ohio state median | $978 |
| US national median | $975 |
Columbus, OH sits in Ohio, where the median area's 2-bedroom FMR is $978 and areas range from $973 to $1,433.
Metro areas with a similar FMR
The five areas closest to Columbus, OH on the 2-bedroom FMR scale:
| Metro area | Studio | 1 BR | 2 BR | 3 BR | 4 BR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus, OH (this area) | $1,111 | $1,194 | $1,430 | $1,715 | $1,927 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | $1,077 | $1,177 | $1,426 | $1,830 | $2,132 |
| Detroit-Warren-Livonia, MI | $1,009 | $1,122 | $1,411 | $1,724 | $1,868 |
| Tucson, AZ | $967 | $1,081 | $1,402 | $1,950 | $2,245 |
| Albuquerque, NM | $1,009 | $1,185 | $1,464 | $2,036 | $2,399 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel, IN | $1,118 | $1,267 | $1,473 | $1,907 | $2,338 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the FY2026 Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom in Columbus, OH?
The FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit in the Columbus, OH HUD Metro FMR Area is $1,430 per month. FMR is the 40th-percentile gross rent (including utilities) HUD uses to set Housing Choice Voucher payment standards — it is not the local market median. Verify the current figure at huduser.gov.
What are the FMRs for other bedroom sizes in Columbus, OH?
In FY2026 the FMRs are $1,111 (studio), $1,194 (1-bedroom), $1,430 (2-bedroom), $1,715 (3-bedroom) and $1,927 (4-bedroom) per month. Larger units have higher FMRs because they assume more bedrooms and occupants.
Is rent in Columbus, OH high compared with the rest of the US?
Its 2-bedroom FMR of $1,430 is $455 above the national median FMR of $975 (+47%) — well above the national median FMR. Among the 75 largest metros it ranks #56 of 75 by 2-bedroom FMR (1 = most expensive).
Does the FMR mean my voucher will cover that much rent?
Not exactly. The local public housing agency (PHA) sets a "payment standard" usually between 90% and 110% of the FMR, and your subsidy is based on that standard minus roughly 30% of your adjusted income. The FMR is the benchmark, not a guaranteed amount — check with the PHA that serves Columbus, OH.
Keep exploring
Source & accuracy
FY2026 Fair Market Rents, U.S. Dept. of Housing & Urban Development — HUD USER (public domain). FMR is the federal voucher rent standard, not the market median. Figures are a June 2026 snapshot of HUD's revised final FY2026 file; verify the current value on huduser.gov before relying on it.
Last updated: 2026-06-20