FMR Lookup › North Carolina › Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton
Section 8 Fair Market Rent in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC (FY2026)
HUD's official FY2026 Fair Market Rents for the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC MSA, by bedroom count. These figures set the baseline for what the Housing Choice Voucher program pays landlords in this area.
| Unit size | FY2026 FMR | Payment standard range (90–110%) |
|---|---|---|
| Studio / efficiency | $858 | $772 – $944 |
| 1 bedroom | $908 | $817 – $999 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,095 | $986 – $1,205 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,372 | $1,235 – $1,509 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,660 | $1,494 – $1,826 |
Source: HUD User — FY 2026 Fair Market Rents. FY2026 FMRs are effective October 1, 2025. Retrieved 2026-06-11.
How this market compares
The 2-bedroom FMR here is $1,095 — 10% above the North Carolina median of $998 across all 83 FMR areas in the state.
Counties and towns covered
The Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC FMR area is a metro area covering: Alexander County, Burke County, Caldwell County, Catawba County. One FMR applies across the whole area — HUD does not publish separate figures per city or ZIP here (some large metros have Small Area FMRs by ZIP; check with the local housing authority).
What a landlord actually collects
FMR is the baseline, not the contract rent. The local housing authority sets a payment standard between 90% and 110% of FMR (the range in the table above), and your unit must pass a rent-reasonableness comparison against similar unassisted rentals nearby. The voucher then covers the gap between the tenant's share (roughly 30% of their income) and the approved rent.
Run the numbers for a deal in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton: Section 8 vs market rent, DSCR, or cash-on-cash return.
Comparable North Carolina markets by 2BR FMR
| FMR area | 1 BR | 2 BR | 3 BR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greenville | $896 | $1,095 | $1,465 |
| Pamlico County | $866 | $1,077 | $1,291 |
| Lee County | $880 | $1,136 | $1,362 |
| Lincoln County | $953 | $1,054 | $1,461 |
| Anson County | $867 | $1,138 | $1,364 |
| Rocky Mount | $918 | $1,143 | $1,550 |
All 83 North Carolina FMR areas →
Informational only — not financial, legal, or lending advice. Confirm current payment standards with the housing authority serving Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton.