County FMR · HUD FY2026

Aleutians West Census Area Fair Market Rent

HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent for Aleutians West Census Area, AK - 74% above the US average.

$1,670
1-bedroom FMR
$2,191
2-bedroom FMR
+9.0%
YoY change
+74%
vs US avg

The verdict

Aleutians West is the 1st most expensive of 30 counties in Alaska by 2-bedroom FMR; nationally it ranks #94 most expensive of 3,145 HUD counties; rent here has climbed 9.0% since FY 2025, a modest shift relative to most counties.

#94
most expensive of 3,145 US counties (2BR)
#1
most expensive of 30 in Alaska (2BR)
+40%
vs the state average
$66,800
income to afford it (30% rule)

General and Operations Managers spend the smallest share of income on rent here (16.6%), while Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary spend the most (65.6%); nearby Alaska counties range as much as 72% apart in 1-bedroom FMR, so the county line itself can matter for renters comparing options.

FY 2026 HUD Fair Market Rent for Aleutians West Census Area, AK. Verify with HUD →

Aleutians West Census Area, Alaska carries an FY 2026 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent of $1,670 per month, the federal benchmark HUD publishes for this county. A 2-bedroom costs $2,191/mo and a studio is $1,571/mo. That's 74% above the national benchmark of $959 and 40% above the Alaska average of $1,194.

Rent increased9.0% from FY 2025 ($1,532), outpacing inflation. Clearing the 30% rule here takes $66,800/year, a high bar relative to most US counties.

Observed renter burden: 18.4% of the 689 renter households counted by ACS paid at least 30% of income in gross rent. This ACS 2023 household measure is distinct from HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent benchmark above.

FY 2026 HUD Fair Market Rents in Alaska. Population: 5,219. Population declined 9.9% over the past five years (Census ACS), a trend that can ease rental-market pressure over time even as FMR reflects recent rent levels. That's slower than Alaska's statewide growth of -0.6% over the same period.

FMR filing desk

Area ALEUTIANS·WEST·CENSUS·AREA·AK·AK

Aleutians West Census Area, AK: $1,670/mo 1BR · #94 of 3145 counties (2BR) · FY2026

  • FMR-AREA AK
  • 1BR-FMR $1,670
  • 2BR-FMR $2,191
  • RANK-UPPER #94
  • YOY-SURGE +9.0%
  • VSUS-HIGH +74%
  • VS-ST-HIGH +40% AK
  • INC-ROOM 19%
  • POP-SMALL 5K
  • PHOTO-NEAR Anchorage Municipa
  • VOUCH-90-110 $1,503–$1,837
  • FY-2026 FY2026

Photo-finish peer: Anchorage Municipality ($427 1BR gap)

Read with: Understanding rent burden

Fair Market Rents (2026)

Studio
State avg: $1,061 · US avg: $893
$1,571/mo
↑ 9.3% YoY +48% vs state +76% vs US
1 Bedroom
State avg: $1,194 · US avg: $959
$1,670/mo
↑ 9.0% YoY +40% vs state +74% vs US
2 Bedroom
State avg: $1,467 · US avg: $1,175
$2,191/mo
↑ 9.0% YoY +49% vs state +86% vs US
3 Bedroom
State avg: $1,941 · US avg: $1,525
$2,652/mo
↑ 8.7% YoY +37% vs state +74% vs US
4 Bedroom
State avg: $2,304 · US avg: $1,756
$2,901/mo
↑ 5.9% YoY +26% vs state +65% vs US

Year-over-Year Comparison

Bedrooms FY 2025 FY 2026 Change
Studio $1,437
$1,571
+$134 (+9.3%)
1 Bedroom $1,532
$1,670
+$138 (+9.0%)
2 Bedroom $2,010
$2,191
+$181 (+9.0%)
3 Bedroom $2,440
$2,652
+$212 (+8.7%)
4 Bedroom $2,740
$2,901
+$161 (+5.9%)

Rent Burden Analysis

How much of household income goes to rent in Aleutians West Census Area. The 30% threshold indicates cost burden.

Studio
17.6%
Affordable
Need $62,840/yr for 30% rule
1 Bedroom
18.7%
Affordable
Need $66,800/yr for 30% rule
2 Bedroom
24.5%
Affordable
Need $87,640/yr for 30% rule
3 Bedroom
29.6%
Affordable
Need $106,080/yr for 30% rule
4 Bedroom
32.4%
Burdened
Need $116,040/yr for 30% rule
How we calculate this

Rent burden = (FMR × 12) ÷ county median household income. Required income = (FMR × 12) ÷ 0.3, the federal 30%-of-gross-income rule HUD uses to define cost burden. Median household income is from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey; FMR is from HUD's FY2026 release. See methodology.

0%100%National avg22%24.5%
Aleutians West Census Area 2-bedroom rent burden
County median income: $107,344 · National avg burden: 21.7% ·View Alaska rent burden →

Where Aleutians West sits among every US county

2-bedroom Fair Market Rent vs. all 3,145 HUD counties

$2,191 Top 3% higher than 97% of 3,145 counties

$600–$800: 23 counties (1%). Below this entry. $800–$1,000: 1,406 counties (45%). Below this entry. $1,000–$1,200: 723 counties (23%). Below this entry. $1,200–$1,400: 417 counties (13%). Below this entry. $1,400–$1,600: 181 counties (6%). Below this entry. $1,600–$1,800: 172 counties (5%). Below this entry. $1,800–$2,000: 108 counties (3%). Below this entry. $2,000–$2,200: 29 counties (1%). This entry sits in this band. $2,200–$2,400: 40 counties (1%). Above this entry. $2,400–$2,600: 13 counties (0%). Above this entry. $2,600–$2,800: 9 counties (0%). Above this entry. $2,800–$3,000: 15 counties (0%). Above this entry. $3,000–$3,200: 3 counties (0%). Above this entry. $3,200–$3,400: 1 counties (0%). Above this entry. $3,400–$3,600: 1 counties (0%). Above this entry. $3,600–$3,800: 3 counties (0%). Above this entry. $3,800–$4,000: 0 counties (0%). Above this entry. $4,000–$4,200: 0 counties (0%). Above this entry. $4,200–$4,400: 1 counties (0%). Above this entry. This county $600 $4,400 every US county, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $0.2K-wide band; taller bars hold more counties. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Fair Market Rents · FY2026

How Aleutians West compares on 1-bedroom rent

1-bedroom FMR vs other Alaska counties

1BR FMR / mo

What this shows Aleutians West is highlighted. Nearby Alaska counties by 1-bedroom FMR, highest to lowest: Bethel Census Area ($1,719), Aleutians West Census Area (this county) ($1,670), Juneau City and Borough ($1,340), Fairbanks North Star Borough ($1,277), Anchorage Municipality ($1,243), Matanuska-Susitna Borough ($1,049), Kenai Peninsula Borough ($1,000).

Source U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) As of FY2026

Can Common Jobs Afford Rent Here?

Against a high local FMR of $1,670/mo, which of 15 common occupations still clear the 30% line using Alaska BLS wages?

Occupation AK Salary Rent Burden Verdict
General & Operations Managers $120,470 16.6% Affordable
Software Developers $119,600 16.8% Affordable
Registered Nurses $110,690 18.1% Affordable
Police & Sheriff's Patrol Officers $100,300 20% Affordable
Accountants & Auditors $81,950 24.5% Affordable
Electricians $81,860 24.5% Affordable
Elementary School Teachers $76,290 26.3% Affordable
Heavy & Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $64,890 30.9% Stretched
Paralegals & Legal Assistants $61,120 32.8% Stretched
Pharmacy Technicians $50,440 39.7% Stretched
Customer Service Representatives $44,760 44.8% Stretched
Janitors & Cleaners $39,040 51.3% Unaffordable
Retail Salespersons $36,940 54.3% Unaffordable
Fast Food & Counter Workers $34,430 58.2% Unaffordable
Teaching Assistants $30,560 65.6% Unaffordable
Salaries: BLS OES (Alaska) median · 30% = affordable threshold · Try the salary calculator →

Rent Trends (2020–2026)

7-year Fair Market Rent history for Aleutians West Census Area. Shows how HUD rental rates have changed over time.

Over the 6-year span HUD has tracked for Aleutians West (FY 2020-2026), the 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent has risen 25.3% overall, from $1,333 to $1,670. The increases have been fairly steady year to year, with no single jump exceeding 11.0% (FY 2024).

$1,000$1,200$1,400$1,600$1,800 FY2020FY2021FY2022FY2023FY2024FY2025FY2026 $1,670
Aleutians West Census Area 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent, FY2020–FY2026
Year Studio 1 BR 2 BR
FY 2026 ↑9.0% $1,571 $1,670 $2,191
FY 2025 ↑1.1% $1,437 $1,532 $2,010
FY 2024 ↑11.0% $1,349 $1,515 $1,991
FY 2023 ↑8.8% $1,202 $1,365 $1,797
FY 2022 ↑3.7% $1,097 $1,255 $1,651
FY 2021 ↓9.2% $1,052 $1,210 $1,595
FY 2020 $1,144 $1,333 $1,755
Total change (6yr): +25.3%
Annualized: +3.8%/yr
1 BR: $1,333 → $1,670

Where Aleutians West Census Area Ranks in Alaska

Aleutians West Census Area is not part of any federally-designated metropolitan or micropolitan statistical area -- an independent rental market not administratively tied to a larger urban core. By 2-bedroom FMR, it ranks #30 of 30 counties in Alaska. Nearest by rank: Fairbanks North Star Borough ($1,676), Juneau City and Borough ($1,758), Northwest Arctic Borough ($1,930), Bethel Census Area ($1,938), Kodiak Island Borough ($2,075), Aleutians West Census Area (this county) ($2,191).

Fairbanks North Star Borough
2 BR: $1,676/mo
Juneau City and Borough
2 BR: $1,758/mo
Northwest Arctic Borough
2 BR: $1,930/mo
Bethel Census Area
2 BR: $1,938/mo
Kodiak Island Borough
2 BR: $2,075/mo
Aleutians West Census Area (this county)
2 BR: $2,191/mo

Nationwide peers by 2BR FMR & rent burden

Two PlainRent-derived comparison paths for Aleutians West Census Area, both outside Alaska so the link neighborhoods are not the same-state geography lattice above. Axes stay disjoint: burden peers exclude the FMR peer set.

Similar 2-bedroom FMR

Nearest HUD 2BR Fair Market Rents outside AK (FY2026).

Strafford County
NH · 2 BR $2,194/mo
Summit County
UT · 2 BR $2,185/mo
Riverside County
CA · 2 BR $2,201/mo
San Bernardino County
CA · 2 BR $2,201/mo

Similar rent burden

Nearest 2BR FMR as a share of median household income (outside AK).

Laurens County
SC · 24.5% of income · 2 BR $1,133/mo
Jefferson Parish
LA · 24.5% of income · 2 BR $1,331/mo
Yadkin County
NC · 24.5% of income · 2 BR $1,232/mo
Pierce County
WA · 24.5% of income · 2 BR $1,971/mo

Nearby Counties in Alaska

Largest counties by population in Alaska

Showing the 8 largest of 29 other counties in Alaska.

Anchorage Municipality
1 BR: $1,243/mo Pop: 290,674
Matanuska-Susitna Borough
1 BR: $1,049/mo Pop: 108,661
Fairbanks North Star Borough
1 BR: $1,277/mo Pop: 96,299
Kenai Peninsula Borough
1 BR: $1,000/mo Pop: 59,235
Juneau City and Borough
1 BR: $1,340/mo Pop: 32,108
Bethel Census Area
1 BR: $1,719/mo Pop: 18,538
Ketchikan Gateway Borough
1 BR: $1,238/mo Pop: 13,910
Kodiak Island Borough
1 BR: $1,581/mo Pop: 13,065
View all counties in Alaska →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average rent in Aleutians West Census Area? ▼
The FY 2026 Fair Market Rent for a 1-bedroom in Aleutians West Census Area is $1,670 per month. A 2-bedroom is $2,191 and a studio is $1,571.
How does Aleutians West Census Area rent compare to the national average? ▼
Rent in Aleutians West Census Area is 74% above the national average. A 1-bedroom here costs $1,670 compared to $959 nationally.
Where does Aleutians West Census Area rank nationally for Fair Market Rent? ▼
According to HUD's FY 2026 Fair Market Rent schedule, Aleutians West Census Area's 2-bedroom FMR of $2,191 ranks #94 most expensive among 3,145 HUD counties, placing it in the highest-rent tenth of HUD counties.
What income do I need to afford rent in Aleutians West Census Area? ▼
Based on the 30% affordability rule, you need an annual income of at least $66,800 ($5,567/month) to afford a 1-bedroom at Fair Market Rent in Aleutians West Census Area.
Is rent going up or down in Aleutians West Census Area? ▼
The 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent in Aleutians West Census Area increased by 9.0% from FY 2025 to FY 2026, going from $1,532 to $1,670.
Which jobs can afford rent in Aleutians West Census Area? ▼
Based on Alaska BLS salary data and the 30% affordability rule, jobs like General and Operations Managers, Software Developers, Registered Nurses can afford a 1-bedroom at $1,670/mo. 7 of 15 common occupations are affordable here.
How much has rent changed in Aleutians West Census Area over time? ▼
The 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent in Aleutians West Census Area went from $1,333 in FY 2020 to $1,670 in FY 2026, a total change of +25.3% over 6 years.
How does Fair Market Rent affect Section 8 vouchers in Aleutians West Census Area? ▼
In Aleutians West Census Area, the FY 2026 FMR of $1,670/mo for a 1-bedroom sets the baseline that local housing authorities use for Section 8 payment standards.
What does Fair Market Rent mean for Aleutians West Census Area? ▼
For Aleutians West Census Area, it's the specific 40th-percentile rent HUD publishes each year ($1,670/mo for a 1-bedroom in FY 2026).

Disclaimer: This information is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and HUD Fair Market Rents. Consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on this data.

All federal data sources used on this page
  • HUD Fair Market Rents (FMR) - county-level fair-market rent estimates by bedroom count. huduser.gov/datasets/fmr
  • HUD Income Limits - area median income for affordability calculations. huduser.gov/datasets/il
  • HUD Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy (CHAS) - rent burden and housing-cost distribution. huduser.gov/datasets/cp
  • U.S. Census Bureau ACS - county and metro housing characteristics + median rent. census.gov/programs-surveys/acs
  • BLS Consumer Price Index, Rent of Primary Residence - rent inflation by metro. bls.gov/cpi
  • IRS Migration Data (SOI) - interstate migration aggregates affecting county demand. irs.gov/statistics/migration
  • BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics - state-level median wages by occupation, used for job affordability analysis. bls.gov/oes

Every figure on PlainRent is rendered directly from HUD's published Fair Market Rent records, no number is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of FY 2026.