Raleigh-Cary, NC Fair Market Rent (FY2026)
Raleigh-Cary, NC MSA · NC · 3 counties · pop. 1,420,825 (2023)
The FY2026 Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom in Raleigh-Cary, NC is $1,750/month. Across bedroom sizes the HUD FMR runs from $1,524 (studio) to $2,936 (4-bedroom). That 2-bedroom figure is $775 above the US national median FMR of $975 — far above the national median FMR — and ranks #38 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.
Raleigh-Cary, NC FMR by bedroom size
| Unit size | Monthly FMR | ≈ Weekly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / efficiency | $1,524 | $352 | $18,288 |
| 1-bedroom | $1,596 | $369 | $19,152 |
| 2-bedroom | $1,750 | $404 | $21,000 |
| 3-bedroom | $2,196 | $507 | $26,352 |
| 4-bedroom | $2,936 | $678 | $35,232 |
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 Raleigh-Cary, NC. 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.
Raleigh-Cary, NC vs its state and the US
| Benchmark | 2-bedroom FMR |
|---|---|
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $1,750 |
| North Carolina state median | $998 |
| US national median | $975 |
Raleigh-Cary, NC sits in North Carolina, where the median area's 2-bedroom FMR is $998 and areas range from $925 to $1,835.
Metro areas with a similar FMR
The five areas closest to Raleigh-Cary, NC on the 2-bedroom FMR scale:
| Metro area | Studio | 1 BR | 2 BR | 3 BR | 4 BR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raleigh-Cary, NC (this area) | $1,524 | $1,596 | $1,750 | $2,196 | $2,936 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $1,259 | $1,456 | $1,747 | $2,333 | $2,666 |
| Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV | $1,333 | $1,478 | $1,735 | $2,413 | $2,764 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $1,507 | $1,578 | $1,730 | $2,211 | $2,696 |
| Providence-Fall River, RI-MA | $1,318 | $1,402 | $1,729 | $2,087 | $2,480 |
| Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $1,427 | $1,473 | $1,723 | $2,273 | $2,815 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the FY2026 Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom in Raleigh-Cary, NC?
The FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit in the Raleigh-Cary, NC MSA is $1,750 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 Raleigh-Cary, NC?
In FY2026 the FMRs are $1,524 (studio), $1,596 (1-bedroom), $1,750 (2-bedroom), $2,196 (3-bedroom) and $2,936 (4-bedroom) per month. Larger units have higher FMRs because they assume more bedrooms and occupants.
Is rent in Raleigh-Cary, NC high compared with the rest of the US?
Its 2-bedroom FMR of $1,750 is $775 above the national median FMR of $975 (+79%) — far above the national median FMR. Among the 75 largest metros it ranks #38 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 Raleigh-Cary, NC.
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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