{
 "title": "Hours of minimum-wage work needed to pay Fair Market Rent, by U.S. county",
 "generated": "2026-10-11T01:56:01+00:00",
 "asOf": "2026-10-11",
 "method": "hours per month = HUD FY2027 Fair Market Rent (gross rent incl. utilities, 40th percentile of recent movers) for the bedroom size / the minimum wage that applies county-wide (state or regional statutory rate, never below the $7.25 federal floor). Full-time month = 40 h x 52 wk / 12 = 173.3 h. City-only ordinances are excluded from the ranking because they cover only part of a county. New England town-level FMRs are population-weighted to counties. 50 states + DC; Puerto Rico excluded from rankings.",
 "sources": {
  "hud": {
   "name": "HUD Fair Market Rents FY2027",
   "url": "https://www.huduser.gov/portal/datasets/fmr/fmr2027/FY27_FMRs.xlsx",
   "page": "https://www.huduser.gov/portal/datasets/fmr.html",
   "retrieved": "2026-10-11"
  },
  "acs": {
   "name": "Census ACS 5-year 2020–2024 (B25064, B19013, B25003)",
   "url": "https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs/summary_file/2024/table-based-SF/",
   "retrieved": "2026-10-11"
  },
  "boundaries": {
   "name": "Census cartographic boundary files 2025 (1:20,000,000)",
   "url": "https://www2.census.gov/geo/tiger/GENZ2025/shp/cb_2025_us_county_20m.zip",
   "retrieved": "2026-10-11"
  },
  "delineation": {
   "name": "OMB/Census CBSA delineation list 1 (2023)",
   "url": "https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/metro-micro/geographies/reference-files/2023/delineation-files/list1_2023.xlsx"
  },
  "stateWages": {
   "name": "U.S. DOL state minimum wage table",
   "url": "https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/minimum-wage/state",
   "retrieved": "2026-10-10",
   "pageUpdated": "2026-07-01",
   "status": "snapshot"
  },
  "localWages": {
   "name": "Hand-curated local minimum wage ordinances",
   "verified": "2026-10-10"
  }
 },
 "stateWageStatus": "snapshot",
 "bedrooms": {
  "1BR": {
   "countiesRanked": 3144,
   "medianCountyHoursPerMonth": 105.9,
   "renterWeightedMeanHoursPerMonth": 132.0,
   "countiesOverOneFullTimeMonth": 156,
   "top10": [
    {
     "rank": 1,
     "fips": "49043",
     "county": "Summit County, UT",
     "fmr": 1899,
     "minimumWage": 7.25,
     "wageBasis": "Utah minimum",
     "hoursPerMonth": 261.9,
     "fullTimeMonths": 1.51,
     "hoursPerWeek": 60.4
    },
    {
     "rank": 2,
     "fips": "45013",
     "county": "Beaufort County, SC",
     "fmr": 1844,
     "minimumWage": 7.25,
     "wageBasis": "Federal minimum ($7.25)",
     "hoursPerMonth": 254.3,
     "fullTimeMonths": 1.47,
     "hoursPerWeek": 58.7
    },
    {
     "rank": 3,
     "fips": "33015",
     "county": "Rockingham County, NH",
     "fmr": 1756,
     "minimumWage": 7.25,
     "wageBasis": "New Hampshire minimum",
     "hoursPerMonth": 242.2,
     "fullTimeMonths": 1.4,
     "hoursPerWeek": 55.9
    },
    {
     "rank": 4,
     "fips": "45015",
     "county": "Berkeley County, SC",
     "fmr": 1731,
     "minimumWage": 7.25,
     "wageBasis": "Federal minimum ($7.25)",
     "hoursPerMonth": 238.8,
     "fullTimeMonths": 1.38,
     "hoursPerWeek": 55.1
    },
    {
     "rank": 4,
     "fips": "45019",
     "county": "Charleston County, SC",
     "fmr": 1731,
     "minimumWage": 7.25,
     "wageBasis": "Federal minimum ($7.25)",
     "hoursPerMonth": 238.8,
     "fullTimeMonths": 1.38,
     "hoursPerWeek": 55.1
    },
    {
     "rank": 4,
     "fips": "45035",
     "county": "Dorchester County, SC",
     "fmr": 1731,
     "minimumWage": 7.25,
     "wageBasis": "Federal minimum ($7.25)",
     "hoursPerMonth": 238.8,
     "fullTimeMonths": 1.38,
     "hoursPerWeek": 55.1
    },
    {
     "rank": 7,
     "fips": "33011",
     "county": "Hillsborough County, NH",
     "fmr": 1715,
     "minimumWage": 7.25,
     "wageBasis": "New Hampshire minimum",
     "hoursPerMonth": 236.6,
     "fullTimeMonths": 1.36,
     "hoursPerWeek": 54.6
    },
    {
     "rank": 8,
     "fips": "37021",
     "county": "Buncombe County, NC",
     "fmr": 1714,
     "minimumWage": 7.25,
     "wageBasis": "North Carolina minimum",
     "hoursPerMonth": 236.4,
     "fullTimeMonths": 1.36,
     "hoursPerWeek": 54.6
    },
    {
     "rank": 8,
     "fips": "37089",
     "county": "Henderson County, NC",
     "fmr": 1714,
     "minimumWage": 7.25,
     "wageBasis": "North Carolina minimum",
     "hoursPerMonth": 236.4,
     "fullTimeMonths": 1.36,
     "hoursPerWeek": 54.6
    },
    {
     "rank": 8,
     "fips": "37115",
     "county": "Madison County, NC",
     "fmr": 1714,
     "minimumWage": 7.25,
     "wageBasis": "North Carolina minimum",
     "hoursPerMonth": 236.4,
     "fullTimeMonths": 1.36,
     "hoursPerWeek": 54.6
    }
   ],
   "bottom10": [
    {
     "rank": 3127,
     "fips": "17137",
     "county": "Morgan County, IL",
     "fmr": 711,
     "minimumWage": 15.0,
     "wageBasis": "Illinois minimum",
     "hoursPerMonth": 47.4,
     "fullTimeMonths": 0.27,
     "hoursPerWeek": 10.9
    },
    {
     "rank": 3127,
     "fips": "17149",
     "county": "Pike County, IL",
     "fmr": 711,
     "minimumWage": 15.0,
     "wageBasis": "Illinois minimum",
     "hoursPerMonth": 47.4,
     "fullTimeMonths": 0.27,
     "hoursPerWeek": 10.9
    },
    {
     "rank": 3127,
     "fips": "17157",
     "county": "Randolph County, IL",
     "fmr": 711,
     "minimumWage": 15.0,
     "wageBasis": "Illinois minimum",
     "hoursPerMonth": 47.4,
     "fullTimeMonths": 0.27,
     "hoursPerWeek": 10.9
    },
    {
     "rank": 3127,
     "fips": "17059",
     "county": "Gallatin County, IL",
     "fmr": 711,
     "minimumWage": 15.0,
     "wageBasis": "Illinois minimum",
     "hoursPerMonth": 47.4,
     "fullTimeMonths": 0.27,
     "hoursPerWeek": 10.9
    },
    {
     "rank": 3127,
     "fips": "17055",
     "county": "Franklin County, IL",
     "fmr": 711,
     "minimumWage": 15.0,
     "wageBasis": "Illinois minimum",
     "hoursPerMonth": 47.4,
     "fullTimeMonths": 0.27,
     "hoursPerWeek": 10.9
    },
    {
     "rank": 3127,
     "fips": "17171",
     "county": "Scott County, IL",
     "fmr": 711,
     "minimumWage": 15.0,
     "wageBasis": "Illinois minimum",
     "hoursPerMonth": 47.4,
     "fullTimeMonths": 0.27,
     "hoursPerWeek": 10.9
    },
    {
     "rank": 3127,
     "fips": "17075",
     "county": "Iroquois County, IL",
     "fmr": 711,
     "minimumWage": 15.0,
     "wageBasis": "Illinois minimum",
     "hoursPerMonth": 47.4,
     "fullTimeMonths": 0.27,
     "hoursPerWeek": 10.9
    },
    {
     "rank": 3127,
     "fips": "17181",
     "county": "Union County, IL",
     "fmr": 711,
     "minimumWage": 15.0,
     "wageBasis": "Illinois minimum",
     "hoursPerMonth": 47.4,
     "fullTimeMonths": 0.27,
     "hoursPerWeek": 10.9
    },
    {
     "rank": 3127,
     "fips": "17047",
     "county": "Edwards County, IL",
     "fmr": 711,
     "minimumWage": 15.0,
     "wageBasis": "Illinois minimum",
     "hoursPerMonth": 47.4,
     "fullTimeMonths": 0.27,
     "hoursPerWeek": 10.9
    },
    {
     "rank": 3144,
     "fips": "53019",
     "county": "Ferry County, WA",
     "fmr": 809,
     "minimumWage": 17.13,
     "wageBasis": "Washington minimum",
     "hoursPerMonth": 47.2,
     "fullTimeMonths": 0.27,
     "hoursPerWeek": 10.9
    }
   ],
   "santaCruz": {
    "rank": 88,
    "fips": "06087",
    "county": "Santa Cruz County, CA",
    "fmr": 3390,
    "minimumWage": 16.9,
    "wageBasis": "California minimum",
    "hoursPerMonth": 200.6,
    "fullTimeMonths": 1.16,
    "hoursPerWeek": 46.3,
    "outOf": 3144,
    "note": "Rank 1 = most hours. No local minimum wage ordinance in Santa Cruz County; California rate applies."
   }
  },
  "2BR": {
   "countiesRanked": 3144,
   "medianCountyHoursPerMonth": 130.0,
   "renterWeightedMeanHoursPerMonth": 156.4,
   "countiesOverOneFullTimeMonth": 393,
   "top10": [
    {
     "rank": 1,
     "fips": "33015",
     "county": "Rockingham County, NH",
     "fmr": 2289,
     "minimumWage": 7.25,
     "wageBasis": "New Hampshire minimum",
     "hoursPerMonth": 315.7,
     "fullTimeMonths": 1.82,
     "hoursPerWeek": 72.9
    },
    {
     "rank": 2,
     "fips": "33011",
     "county": "Hillsborough County, NH",
     "fmr": 2179,
     "minimumWage": 7.25,
     "wageBasis": "New Hampshire minimum",
     "hoursPerMonth": 300.6,
     "fullTimeMonths": 1.73,
     "hoursPerWeek": 69.4
    },
    {
     "rank": 3,
     "fips": "49043",
     "county": "Summit County, UT",
     "fmr": 2153,
     "minimumWage": 7.25,
     "wageBasis": "Utah minimum",
     "hoursPerMonth": 297.0,
     "fullTimeMonths": 1.71,
     "hoursPerWeek": 68.5
    },
    {
     "rank": 4,
     "fips": "33017",
     "county": "Strafford County, NH",
     "fmr": 2093,
     "minimumWage": 7.25,
     "wageBasis": "New Hampshire minimum",
     "hoursPerMonth": 288.7,
     "fullTimeMonths": 1.67,
     "hoursPerWeek": 66.6
    },
    {
     "rank": 5,
     "fips": "45013",
     "county": "Beaufort County, SC",
     "fmr": 2010,
     "minimumWage": 7.25,
     "wageBasis": "Federal minimum ($7.25)",
     "hoursPerMonth": 277.2,
     "fullTimeMonths": 1.6,
     "hoursPerWeek": 64.0
    },
    {
     "rank": 6,
     "fips": "45015",
     "county": "Berkeley County, SC",
     "fmr": 1884,
     "minimumWage": 7.25,
     "wageBasis": "Federal minimum ($7.25)",
     "hoursPerMonth": 259.9,
     "fullTimeMonths": 1.5,
     "hoursPerWeek": 60.0
    },
    {
     "rank": 6,
     "fips": "45019",
     "county": "Charleston County, SC",
     "fmr": 1884,
     "minimumWage": 7.25,
     "wageBasis": "Federal minimum ($7.25)",
     "hoursPerMonth": 259.9,
     "fullTimeMonths": 1.5,
     "hoursPerWeek": 60.0
    },
    {
     "rank": 6,
     "fips": "45035",
     "county": "Dorchester County, SC",
     "fmr": 1884,
     "minimumWage": 7.25,
     "wageBasis": "Federal minimum ($7.25)",
     "hoursPerMonth": 259.9,
     "fullTimeMonths": 1.5,
     "hoursPerWeek": 60.0
    },
    {
     "rank": 9,
     "fips": "37021",
     "county": "Buncombe County, NC",
     "fmr": 1866,
     "minimumWage": 7.25,
     "wageBasis": "North Carolina minimum",
     "hoursPerMonth": 257.4,
     "fullTimeMonths": 1.48,
     "hoursPerWeek": 59.4
    },
    {
     "rank": 9,
     "fips": "37089",
     "county": "Henderson County, NC",
     "fmr": 1866,
     "minimumWage": 7.25,
     "wageBasis": "North Carolina minimum",
     "hoursPerMonth": 257.4,
     "fullTimeMonths": 1.48,
     "hoursPerWeek": 59.4
    }
   ],
   "bottom10": [
    {
     "rank": 3103,
     "fips": "17109",
     "county": "McDonough County, IL",
     "fmr": 930,
     "minimumWage": 15.0,
     "wageBasis": "Illinois minimum",
     "hoursPerMonth": 62.0,
     "fullTimeMonths": 0.36,
     "hoursPerWeek": 14.3
    },
    {
     "rank": 3103,
     "fips": "17025",
     "county": "Clay County, IL",
     "fmr": 930,
     "minimumWage": 15.0,
     "wageBasis": "Illinois minimum",
     "hoursPerMonth": 62.0,
     "fullTimeMonths": 0.36,
     "hoursPerWeek": 14.3
    },
    {
     "rank": 3103,
     "fips": "17065",
     "county": "Hamilton County, IL",
     "fmr": 930,
     "minimumWage": 15.0,
     "wageBasis": "Illinois minimum",
     "hoursPerMonth": 62.0,
     "fullTimeMonths": 0.36,
     "hoursPerWeek": 14.3
    },
    {
     "rank": 3103,
     "fips": "17055",
     "county": "Franklin County, IL",
     "fmr": 930,
     "minimumWage": 15.0,
     "wageBasis": "Illinois minimum",
     "hoursPerMonth": 62.0,
     "fullTimeMonths": 0.36,
     "hoursPerWeek": 14.3
    },
    {
     "rank": 3103,
     "fips": "17171",
     "county": "Scott County, IL",
     "fmr": 930,
     "minimumWage": 15.0,
     "wageBasis": "Illinois minimum",
     "hoursPerMonth": 62.0,
     "fullTimeMonths": 0.36,
     "hoursPerWeek": 14.3
    },
    {
     "rank": 3103,
     "fips": "17075",
     "county": "Iroquois County, IL",
     "fmr": 930,
     "minimumWage": 15.0,
     "wageBasis": "Illinois minimum",
     "hoursPerMonth": 62.0,
     "fullTimeMonths": 0.36,
     "hoursPerWeek": 14.3
    },
    {
     "rank": 3103,
     "fips": "17181",
     "county": "Union County, IL",
     "fmr": 930,
     "minimumWage": 15.0,
     "wageBasis": "Illinois minimum",
     "hoursPerMonth": 62.0,
     "fullTimeMonths": 0.36,
     "hoursPerWeek": 14.3
    },
    {
     "rank": 3103,
     "fips": "17067",
     "county": "Hancock County, IL",
     "fmr": 930,
     "minimumWage": 15.0,
     "wageBasis": "Illinois minimum",
     "hoursPerMonth": 62.0,
     "fullTimeMonths": 0.36,
     "hoursPerWeek": 14.3
    },
    {
     "rank": 3103,
     "fips": "17047",
     "county": "Edwards County, IL",
     "fmr": 930,
     "minimumWage": 15.0,
     "wageBasis": "Illinois minimum",
     "hoursPerMonth": 62.0,
     "fullTimeMonths": 0.36,
     "hoursPerWeek": 14.3
    },
    {
     "rank": 3144,
     "fips": "53019",
     "county": "Ferry County, WA",
     "fmr": 1058,
     "minimumWage": 17.13,
     "wageBasis": "Washington minimum",
     "hoursPerMonth": 61.8,
     "fullTimeMonths": 0.36,
     "hoursPerWeek": 14.3
    }
   ],
   "santaCruz": {
    "rank": 21,
    "fips": "06087",
    "county": "Santa Cruz County, CA",
    "fmr": 4254,
    "minimumWage": 16.9,
    "wageBasis": "California minimum",
    "hoursPerMonth": 251.7,
    "fullTimeMonths": 1.45,
    "hoursPerWeek": 58.1,
    "outOf": 3144,
    "note": "Rank 1 = most hours. No local minimum wage ordinance in Santa Cruz County; California rate applies."
   }
  }
 }
}