County FMR · HUD FY2026

Aroostook County Fair Market Rent

HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent for Aroostook County, ME - 1% below the US average.

$949
1-bedroom FMR
$1,224
2-bedroom FMR
+20.7%
YoY change
-1%
vs US avg

The verdict

Aroostook is the 1st cheapest of 16 counties in Maine by 2-bedroom FMR; nationally it ranks #944 most expensive of 3,145 HUD counties; rent here has climbed 20.7% since FY 2025, a sharp move relative to most counties.

#944
most expensive of 3,145 US counties (2BR)
#1
cheapest of 16 in Maine (2BR)
-18%
vs the state average
$37,960
income to afford it (30% rule)

Software Developers spend the smallest share of income on rent here (10%), while Fast Food and Counter Workers spend the most (33.1%); 13 of 15 common occupations here can afford a 1-bedroom at Fair Market Rent without exceeding the 30% threshold.

FY 2026 HUD Fair Market Rent for Aroostook County, ME. Verify with HUD →

Aroostook County, Maine carries an FY 2026 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent of $949 per month, the federal benchmark HUD publishes for this county. A 2-bedroom costs $1,224/mo and a studio is $942/mo. That's 1% below the national benchmark of $959 and 18% below the Maine average of $1,153.

Rent increased20.7% from FY 2025 ($786), outpacing inflation. Under the 30% rule, affordability starts near $37,960/year for a 1-bedroom.

Observed renter burden: 42.1% of the 7,604 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 Maine. Population: 213. Population has held roughly steady over the past five years (-1.5%, Census ACS). That's slower than Maine's statewide growth of +3.3% over the same period.

FMR filing desk

Area AROOSTOOK·COUNTY·ME·ME

Aroostook County, ME: $949/mo 1BR · #944 of 3145 counties (2BR) · FY2026

  • FMR-AREA ME
  • 1BR-FMR $949
  • 2BR-FMR $1,224
  • RANK-MID #944
  • YOY-SURGE +20.7%
  • VSUS-NEAR -1%
  • VS-ST-LOW -18% ME
  • INC-MID 21%
  • POP-SMALL 213
  • PHOTO-NEAR Androscoggin Count
  • VOUCH-90-110 $854–$1,044
  • FY-2026 FY2026

Photo-finish peer: Androscoggin ($269 1BR gap)

Read with: How Fair Market Rent works

Fair Market Rents (2026)

Studio
State avg: $1,080 · US avg: $893
$942/mo
↑ 29.0% YoY -13% vs state +5% vs US
1 Bedroom
State avg: $1,153 · US avg: $959
$949/mo
↑ 20.7% YoY -18% vs state -1% vs US
2 Bedroom
State avg: $1,448 · US avg: $1,175
$1,224/mo
↑ 24.1% YoY -15% vs state +4% vs US
3 Bedroom
State avg: $1,917 · US avg: $1,525
$1,672/mo
↑ 23.8% YoY -13% vs state +10% vs US
4 Bedroom
State avg: $2,133 · US avg: $1,756
$1,739/mo
↑ 23.6% YoY -18% vs state -1% vs US

Year-over-Year Comparison

Bedrooms FY 2025 FY 2026 Change
Studio $730
$942
+$212 (+29.0%)
1 Bedroom $786
$949
+$163 (+20.7%)
2 Bedroom $986
$1,224
+$238 (+24.1%)
3 Bedroom $1,351
$1,672
+$321 (+23.8%)
4 Bedroom $1,407
$1,739
+$332 (+23.6%)

Rent Burden Analysis

How much of household income goes to rent in Aroostook County. The 30% threshold indicates cost burden.

Studio
20.8%
Affordable
Need $37,680/yr for 30% rule
1 Bedroom
21%
Affordable
Need $37,960/yr for 30% rule
2 Bedroom
27.1%
Affordable
Need $48,960/yr for 30% rule
3 Bedroom
37%
Burdened
Need $66,880/yr for 30% rule
4 Bedroom
38.5%
Burdened
Need $69,560/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%27.1%
Aroostook County 2-bedroom rent burden
County median income: $54,254 · National avg burden: 21.7% ·View Maine rent burden →

Where Aroostook sits among every US county

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

$1,224 Top 30% higher than 70% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $1,400–$1,600: 181 counties (6%). Above this entry. $1,600–$1,800: 172 counties (5%). Above this entry. $1,800–$2,000: 108 counties (3%). Above this entry. $2,000–$2,200: 29 counties (1%). Above this entry. $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 Aroostook compares on 1-bedroom rent

1-bedroom FMR vs other Maine counties

1BR FMR / mo

What this shows Aroostook is highlighted. Nearby Maine counties by 1-bedroom FMR, highest to lowest: York County ($1,412), Knox County ($1,270), Androscoggin County ($1,218), Waldo County ($1,163), Kennebec County ($1,090), Somerset County ($1,083), Aroostook County (this county) ($949).

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

Can Common Jobs Afford Rent Here?

How a 1-bedroom at $949/mo compares to Maine salaries for popular occupations (BLS wage data, 30%-of-income rule).

Occupation ME Salary Rent Burden Verdict
Software Developers $113,800 10% Affordable
General & Operations Managers $96,740 11.8% Affordable
Registered Nurses $82,860 13.7% Affordable
Accountants & Auditors $77,680 14.7% Affordable
Electricians $67,820 16.8% Affordable
Police & Sheriff's Patrol Officers $65,330 17.4% Affordable
Elementary School Teachers $62,300 18.3% Affordable
Paralegals & Legal Assistants $58,510 19.5% Affordable
Heavy & Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $51,930 21.9% Affordable
Customer Service Representatives $45,240 25.2% Affordable
Teaching Assistants $43,870 26% Affordable
Pharmacy Technicians $40,950 27.8% Affordable
Janitors & Cleaners $38,560 29.5% Affordable
Retail Salespersons $36,460 31.2% Stretched
Fast Food & Counter Workers $34,360 33.1% Stretched
Salaries: BLS OES (Maine) median · 30% = affordable threshold · Try the salary calculator →

Rent Trends (2020–2026)

7-year Fair Market Rent history for Aroostook County. Shows how HUD rental rates have changed over time.

Over the 6-year span HUD has tracked for Aroostook (FY 2020-2026), the 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent has risen 57.6% overall, from $602 to $949. Most of that movement was gradual except for a single sharp jump of +20.7% in FY 2026, well above this county's typical year-to-year change.

$500$600$700$800$900$1,000 FY2020FY2021FY2022FY2023FY2024FY2025FY2026 $949
Aroostook County 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent, FY2020–FY2026
Year Studio 1 BR 2 BR
FY 2026 ↑20.7% $942 $949 $1,224
FY 2025 ↑3.7% $730 $786 $986
FY 2024 ↑12.8% $664 $758 $948
FY 2023 ↑6.7% $562 $672 $841
FY 2022 ↑4.1% $519 $630 $781
FY 2021 ↑0.5% $492 $605 $734
FY 2020 $520 $602 $714
Total change (6yr): +57.6%
Annualized: +7.9%/yr
1 BR: $602 → $949

Where Aroostook County Ranks in Maine

Aroostook County 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 #1 of 16 counties in Maine. Nearest by rank: Aroostook County (this county) ($1,224), Washington County ($1,252), Somerset County ($1,266), Oxford County ($1,295), Franklin County ($1,322).

Aroostook County (this county)
2 BR: $1,224/mo
Washington County
2 BR: $1,252/mo
Somerset County
2 BR: $1,266/mo
Oxford County
2 BR: $1,295/mo
Franklin County
2 BR: $1,322/mo

Nationwide peers by 2BR FMR & rent burden

Two PlainRent-derived comparison paths for Aroostook County, both outside Maine 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 ME (FY2026).

Benzie County
MI · 2 BR $1,224/mo
Citrus County
FL · 2 BR $1,225/mo
Camden County
GA · 2 BR $1,225/mo
Union County
OR · 2 BR $1,222/mo

Similar rent burden

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

Santa Fe County
NM · 27.1% of income · 2 BR $1,685/mo
Bolivar County
MS · 27.1% of income · 2 BR $842/mo
Jackson County
FL · 27.1% of income · 2 BR $1,068/mo
Okaloosa County
FL · 27.1% of income · 2 BR $1,785/mo

Nearby Counties in Maine

Largest counties by population in Maine

Showing the 8 largest of 15 other counties in Maine.

Androscoggin County
1 BR: $1,218/mo Pop: 24,294
Waldo County
1 BR: $1,163/mo Pop: 6,985
York County
1 BR: $1,412/mo Pop: 2,695
Somerset County
1 BR: $1,083/mo Pop: 2,570
Kennebec County
1 BR: $1,090/mo Pop: 2,358
Knox County
1 BR: $1,270/mo Pop: 1,502
Cumberland County
1 BR: $1,397/mo Pop: 1,178
Washington County
1 BR: $954/mo Pop: 1,077
View all counties in Maine →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average rent in Aroostook County? ▼
The FY 2026 Fair Market Rent for a 1-bedroom in Aroostook County is $949 per month. A 2-bedroom is $1,224 and a studio is $942.
How does Aroostook County rent compare to the national average? ▼
Rent in Aroostook County is 1% below the national average. A 1-bedroom here costs $949 compared to $959 nationally.
Where does Aroostook County rank nationally for Fair Market Rent? ▼
According to HUD's FY 2026 Fair Market Rent schedule, Aroostook County's 2-bedroom FMR of $1,224 ranks #944 most expensive among 3,145 HUD counties, placing it in the middle half of HUD counties.
What income do I need to afford rent in Aroostook County? ▼
Based on the 30% affordability rule, you need an annual income of at least $37,960 ($3,163/month) to afford a 1-bedroom at Fair Market Rent in Aroostook County.
Is rent going up or down in Aroostook County? ▼
The 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent in Aroostook County increased by 20.7% from FY 2025 to FY 2026, going from $786 to $949.
Which jobs can afford rent in Aroostook County? ▼
Based on Maine BLS salary data and the 30% affordability rule, jobs like Software Developers, General and Operations Managers, Registered Nurses can afford a 1-bedroom at $949/mo. 13 of 15 common occupations are affordable here.
How much has rent changed in Aroostook County over time? ▼
The 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent in Aroostook County went from $602 in FY 2020 to $949 in FY 2026, a total change of +57.6% over 6 years.
How does Fair Market Rent affect Section 8 vouchers in Aroostook County? ▼
In Aroostook County, the FY 2026 FMR of $949/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 Aroostook County? ▼
For Aroostook County, it's the specific 40th-percentile rent HUD publishes each year ($949/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.