Fair market rents · FY2026
San Mateo County Fair Market Rents
HUD Fair Market Rents for San Mateo County, California — a fiscal-year 2026 2-bedroom FMR of $3,604 per month, the payment-standard basis for Section 8 vouchers, with every unit size and a four-year trend.
| Unit size | Fair market rent (FY2026) |
|---|---|
| Studio (0 BR) | $2,485 |
| 1 bedroom | $2,977 |
| 2 bedroom | $3,604 |
| 3 bedroom | $4,604 |
| 4 bedroom | $4,772 |
Fair Market Rent (FMR) is HUD's estimate of the monthly rent (including utilities except telephone, cable, and internet) for a modest unit — set at roughly the 40th percentile of area rents — and is the basis for Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) payment standards. It is a standard, not the average rent people actually pay.
San Mateo County fair market rents — FAQ
What is the fair market rent in San Mateo County?+
For fiscal year 2026, HUD's Fair Market Rents in San Mateo County, California are $2,485 for a studio, $2,977 for a 1-bedroom, $3,604 for a 2-bedroom, $4,604 for a 3-bedroom, and $4,772 for a 4-bedroom.
What is Fair Market Rent used for?+
HUD Fair Market Rents set the payment standards for the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) program and other HUD programs. They estimate the rent (including most utilities) for a modest unit at about the 40th percentile of area rents — a benchmark, not the average rent actually paid.
Where does this data come from?+
Figures are HUD's published Fair Market Rents (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development), public-domain data. pumsdata is independent and not affiliated with HUD.