What is the Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC HUD Metro FMR Area?

The HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom unit in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC HUD Metro FMR Area is $1,711 per month for fiscal year 2026. The studio FMR is $1,417, 1-bedroom is $1,507, 3-bedroom is $2,117, and 4-bedroom is $2,527.

What income do you need to afford the FMR in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC HUD Metro FMR Area?

Using the standard 30%-of-income affordability rule, a household would need to earn about $68,440 per year ($5,703 per month) to afford the FY2026 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent of $1,711 in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC HUD Metro FMR Area.

FY2026 Fair Market Rents — Durham-Chapel Hill, NC HUD Metro FMR Area

The HUD-published Fair Market Rents for FY2026 in this area are:

Studio

$1,417

1BR

$1,507

2BR

$1,711

3BR

$2,117

4BR

$2,527

Hours/week at min wage

182 hrs

to afford the 2BR FMR @ $7.25/hr (federal)

National rank

#130

of 661 U.S. metros (top 21% most expensive)

YoY change (2BR)

-8.6%

$161 vs FY2025 · 5-yr +50.9%

Voucher payment standard

$1,540–$1,882

PHAs set HCV payment at 90–110% of the 2BR FMR

Durham-Chapel Hill, NC HUD Metro FMR Area

Metropolitan area · NC · View full history · Income limits · LIHTC rents

FY2026 Fair Market Rents

Bedroom Size	Monthly FMR	Annual Equivalent
Efficiency (Studio)	$1,417	$17,004
1-Bedroom	$1,507	$18,084
2-Bedroom	$1,711	$20,532
3-Bedroom	$2,117	$25,404
4-Bedroom	$2,527	$30,324

Recent 2-Bedroom FMR Trend

FY2020 $1,088 → FY2026 $1,711

Fiscal Year	Studio	1BR	2BR	3BR	4BR
FY2026	$1,417	$1,507	$1,711	$2,117	$2,527
FY2025	$1,548	$1,637	$1,872	$2,334	$2,807
FY2024	$1,385	$1,418	$1,631	$2,051	$2,510
FY2023	$1,128	$1,134	$1,315	$1,669	$2,031
FY2022	$1,024	$1,030	$1,199	$1,546	$1,812
FY2021	$972	$974	$1,134	$1,493	$1,715
FY2020	$919	$934	$1,088	$1,461	$1,645

View full FMR history back to FY2000 →

FY2026 Income Limits

Area Median Income (AMI): $129,900

AMI Level	1p	2p	3p	4p	5p	6p
30% AMI (Extremely Low)	$26,750	$30,550	$34,350	$38,150	$41,250	$44,360
50% AMI (Very Low)	$44,500	$50,850	$57,200	$63,550	$68,650	$73,750
80% AMI (Low)	$71,200	$81,400	$91,550	$101,700	$109,850	$118,000

Full income limits table (all 8 household sizes) →

Affordability Snapshot

2BR Annual FMR

$20,532/yr

FMR as % of Area Median Income

15.8% of AMI

Under 30% — affordable at median income

Income Needed (30% rule, 2BR)

$68,440/yr

$5,703/mo gross income

FY2026 LIHTC Maximum Rents

Maximum gross rents for Low-Income Housing Tax Credit units, by income band. Full LIHTC details →

AMI Band	Studio	1BR	2BR	3BR	4BR
50% AMI Maximum	$1,136	$1,299	$1,461	$1,753	$1,883
60% AMI Maximum	$1,363	$1,558	$1,753	$2,104	$2,260

FY2026 HOME Program Rent Limits

Maximum rents for HOME Investment Partnerships–funded units. High HOME rents apply to most assisted units; Low HOME rents apply to the lowest-income set-aside units. Full HOME rent details →

Limit Type	Studio	1BR	2BR	3BR	4BR
High HOME Rent	$1,417	$1,507	$1,711	$2,110	$2,110
Low HOME Rent	$1,112	$1,271	$1,430	$1,588	$1,716

Compare Durham-Chapel Hill, NC HUD Metro FMR Area With Other NC Metros

vs. Anson County, NC HUD Metro FMR Area vs. Asheville, NC HUD Metro FMR Area vs. Brunswick County, NC HUD Metro FMR Area vs. Brunswick County, NC HUD Metro FMR Area vs. Burlington, NC MSA

Counties in This FMR Area

Chatham County Durham County Orange County