Seattle-Bellevue, WA Fair Market Rent (FY2026)
Seattle-Bellevue, WA HUD Metro FMR Area · WA · 2 counties · pop. 3,082,708 (2023)
The FY2026 Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom in Seattle-Bellevue, WA is $2,501/month. Across bedroom sizes the HUD FMR runs from $2,074 (studio) to $3,847 (4-bedroom). That 2-bedroom figure is $1,526 above the US national median FMR of $975 — far above the national median FMR — and ranks #13 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.
Seattle-Bellevue, WA FMR by bedroom size
| Unit size | Monthly FMR | ≈ Weekly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / efficiency | $2,074 | $479 | $24,888 |
| 1-bedroom | $2,146 | $496 | $25,752 |
| 2-bedroom | $2,501 | $578 | $30,012 |
| 3-bedroom | $3,272 | $756 | $39,264 |
| 4-bedroom | $3,847 | $888 | $46,164 |
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 Seattle-Bellevue, WA. 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.
Seattle-Bellevue, WA vs its state and the US
| Benchmark | 2-bedroom FMR |
|---|---|
| Seattle-Bellevue, WA | $2,501 |
| Washington state median | $1,354 |
| US national median | $975 |
Seattle-Bellevue, WA sits in Washington, where the median area's 2-bedroom FMR is $1,354 and areas range from $973 to $2,501.
Metro areas with a similar FMR
The five areas closest to Seattle-Bellevue, WA on the 2-bedroom FMR scale:
| Metro area | Studio | 1 BR | 2 BR | 3 BR | 4 BR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Bellevue, WA (this area) | $2,074 | $2,146 | $2,501 | $3,272 | $3,847 |
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT | $1,731 | $2,100 | $2,511 | $3,036 | $3,598 |
| Middlesex-Somerset-Hunterdon, NJ | $1,804 | $1,978 | $2,486 | $2,981 | $3,296 |
| Miami-Miami Beach-Kendall, FL | $1,828 | $1,995 | $2,436 | $3,127 | $3,613 |
| Urban Honolulu, HI | $1,877 | $2,016 | $2,642 | $3,674 | $4,432 |
| Fort Lauderdale, FL | $1,737 | $1,900 | $2,333 | $3,216 | $3,810 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the FY2026 Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom in Seattle-Bellevue, WA?
The FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit in the Seattle-Bellevue, WA HUD Metro FMR Area is $2,501 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 Seattle-Bellevue, WA?
In FY2026 the FMRs are $2,074 (studio), $2,146 (1-bedroom), $2,501 (2-bedroom), $3,272 (3-bedroom) and $3,847 (4-bedroom) per month. Larger units have higher FMRs because they assume more bedrooms and occupants.
Is rent in Seattle-Bellevue, WA high compared with the rest of the US?
Its 2-bedroom FMR of $2,501 is $1,526 above the national median FMR of $975 (+157%) — far above the national median FMR. Among the 75 largest metros it ranks #13 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 Seattle-Bellevue, WA.
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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