County FMR · HUD FY2026

Big Horn County Fair Market Rent

HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent for Big Horn County, WY - 9% below the US average.

$871
1-bedroom FMR
$963
2-bedroom FMR
+7.1%
YoY change
-9%
vs US avg

The verdict

Big Horn is the 2nd cheapest of 23 counties in Wyoming by 2-bedroom FMR; nationally it ranks #944 most affordable of 3,145 HUD counties; rent here has climbed 7.1% since FY 2025, a modest shift relative to most counties.

#944
most affordable of 3,145 US counties (2BR)
#2
cheapest of 23 in Wyoming (2BR)
+6%
vs the state average
$34,840
income to afford it (30% rule)

Software Developers spend the smallest share of income on rent here (9.3%), while Fast Food and Counter Workers spend the most (37.1%).

FY 2026 HUD Fair Market Rent for Big Horn County, WY. Verify with HUD →

Big Horn County, Wyoming carries an FY 2026 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent of $871 per month, the federal benchmark HUD publishes for this county. A 2-bedroom costs $963/mo and a studio is $761/mo. That's 9% below the national benchmark of $959 and 6% above the Wyoming average of $824.

Rent increased7.1% from FY 2025 ($813), outpacing inflation. Under the 30% rule, affordability starts near $34,840/year for a 1-bedroom.

Observed renter burden: 26.4% of the 993 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 Wyoming. Population: 11,690. Population has held roughly steady over the past five years (-1.4%, Census ACS). That's in line with Wyoming's statewide growth of -0.4% over the same period.

FMR filing desk

Area BIG·HORN·COUNTY·WY·WY

Big Horn County, WY: $871/mo 1BR · #944 of 3145 counties (2BR) · FY2026

  • FMR-AREA WY
  • 1BR-FMR $871
  • 2BR-FMR $963
  • RANK-MID #944
  • YOY-SURGE +7.1%
  • VSUS-BELOW -9%
  • VS-ST-NEAR +6% WY
  • INC-ROOM 17%
  • POP-SMALL 12K
  • PHOTO-NEAR Laramie County
  • VOUCH-90-110 $784–$958
  • FY-2026 FY2026

Photo-finish peer: Laramie ($46 1BR gap)

Read with: How Fair Market Rent works

Fair Market Rents (2026)

Studio
State avg: $785 · US avg: $893
$761/mo
↑ 1.3% YoY -3% vs state -15% vs US
1 Bedroom
State avg: $824 · US avg: $959
$871/mo
↑ 7.1% YoY +6% vs state -9% vs US
2 Bedroom
State avg: $1,044 · US avg: $1,175
$963/mo
↑ 3.2% YoY -8% vs state -18% vs US
3 Bedroom
State avg: $1,399 · US avg: $1,525
$1,189/mo
↑ 4.6% YoY -15% vs state -22% vs US
4 Bedroom
State avg: $1,719 · US avg: $1,756
$1,515/mo
↑ 1.3% YoY -12% vs state -14% vs US

Year-over-Year Comparison

Bedrooms FY 2025 FY 2026 Change
Studio $751
$761
+$10 (+1.3%)
1 Bedroom $813
$871
+$58 (+7.1%)
2 Bedroom $933
$963
+$30 (+3.2%)
3 Bedroom $1,137
$1,189
+$52 (+4.6%)
4 Bedroom $1,496
$1,515
+$19 (+1.3%)

Rent Burden Analysis

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

Studio
15.1%
Affordable
Need $30,440/yr for 30% rule
1 Bedroom
17.3%
Affordable
Need $34,840/yr for 30% rule
2 Bedroom
19.1%
Affordable
Need $38,520/yr for 30% rule
3 Bedroom
23.6%
Affordable
Need $47,560/yr for 30% rule
4 Bedroom
30%
Affordable
Need $60,600/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%19.1%
Big Horn County 2-bedroom rent burden
County median income: $60,547 · National avg burden: 21.7% ·View Wyoming rent burden →

Where Big Horn sits among every US county

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

$963 higher than 30% of 3,145 counties

$600–$800: 23 counties (1%). Below this entry. $800–$1,000: 1,406 counties (45%). This entry sits in this band. $1,000–$1,200: 723 counties (23%). Above this entry. $1,200–$1,400: 417 counties (13%). Above this entry. $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 Big Horn compares on 1-bedroom rent

1-bedroom FMR vs other Wyoming counties

1BR FMR / mo

What this shows Big Horn is highlighted. Nearby Wyoming counties by 1-bedroom FMR, highest to lowest: Laramie County ($917), Campbell County ($896), Big Horn County (this county) ($871), Sweetwater County ($854), Natrona County ($852), Albany County ($786), Fremont County ($753).

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

Can Common Jobs Afford Rent Here?

How a 1-bedroom at $871/mo compares to Wyoming salaries for popular occupations (BLS wage data, 30%-of-income rule).

Occupation WY Salary Rent Burden Verdict
Software Developers $112,590 9.3% Affordable
General & Operations Managers $94,900 11% Affordable
Registered Nurses $81,790 12.8% Affordable
Accountants & Auditors $77,400 13.5% Affordable
Electricians $73,450 14.2% Affordable
Police & Sheriff's Patrol Officers $65,180 16% Affordable
Elementary School Teachers $61,560 17% Affordable
Heavy & Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $60,270 17.3% Affordable
Paralegals & Legal Assistants $49,980 20.9% Affordable
Pharmacy Technicians $46,490 22.5% Affordable
Customer Service Representatives $39,360 26.6% Affordable
Janitors & Cleaners $35,580 29.4% Affordable
Teaching Assistants $34,410 30.4% Stretched
Retail Salespersons $31,450 33.2% Stretched
Fast Food & Counter Workers $28,200 37.1% Stretched
Salaries: BLS OES (Wyoming) median · 30% = affordable threshold · Try the salary calculator →

Rent Trends (2020–2026)

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

Over the 6-year span HUD has tracked for Big Horn (FY 2020-2026), the 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent has risen 59.2% overall, from $547 to $871. Most of that movement was gradual except for a single sharp jump of +15.5% in FY 2024, well above this county's typical year-to-year change.

$500$600$700$800$900 FY2020FY2021FY2022FY2023FY2024FY2025FY2026 $871
Big Horn County 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent, FY2020–FY2026
Year Studio 1 BR 2 BR
FY 2026 ↑7.1% $761 $871 $963
FY 2025 ↑8.8% $751 $813 $933
FY 2024 ↑15.5% $744 $747 $905
FY 2023 ↑9.8% $643 $647 $826
FY 2022 ↑3.7% $585 $589 $757
FY 2021 ↑3.8% $564 $568 $734
FY 2020 $534 $547 $714
Total change (6yr): +59.2%
Annualized: +8.1%/yr
1 BR: $547 → $871

Where Big Horn County Ranks in Wyoming

Big Horn 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 #2 of 23 counties in Wyoming. Nearest by rank: Albany County ($963), Big Horn County (this county) ($963), Crook County ($963), Fremont County ($963), Goshen County ($963), Hot Springs County ($963), Lincoln County ($963).

Albany County
2 BR: $963/mo
Big Horn County (this county)
2 BR: $963/mo
Crook County
2 BR: $963/mo
Fremont County
2 BR: $963/mo
Goshen County
2 BR: $963/mo
Hot Springs County
2 BR: $963/mo
Lincoln County
2 BR: $963/mo

Nationwide peers by 2BR FMR & rent burden

Two PlainRent-derived comparison paths for Big Horn County, both outside Wyoming 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 WY (FY2026).

Calhoun County
AL · 2 BR $962/mo
Jackson County
NC · 2 BR $964/mo
Baxter County
AR · 2 BR $964/mo
Warren County
TN · 2 BR $964/mo

Similar rent burden

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

Hardeman County
TX · 19.1% of income · 2 BR $973/mo
Grimes County
TX · 19.1% of income · 2 BR $1,067/mo
Allegany County
NY · 19.1% of income · 2 BR $974/mo
Independence County
AR · 19.1% of income · 2 BR $891/mo

Nearby Counties in Wyoming

Largest counties by population in Wyoming

Showing the 8 largest of 22 other counties in Wyoming.

Laramie County
1 BR: $917/mo Pop: 100,316
Natrona County
1 BR: $852/mo Pop: 79,506
Campbell County
1 BR: $896/mo Pop: 46,857
Sweetwater County
1 BR: $854/mo Pop: 42,079
Fremont County
1 BR: $753/mo Pop: 39,402
Albany County
1 BR: $786/mo Pop: 37,525
Sheridan County
1 BR: $860/mo Pop: 31,176
Park County
1 BR: $734/mo Pop: 29,878
View all counties in Wyoming →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average rent in Big Horn County? ▼
The FY 2026 Fair Market Rent for a 1-bedroom in Big Horn County is $871 per month. A 2-bedroom is $963 and a studio is $761.
How does Big Horn County rent compare to the national average? ▼
Rent in Big Horn County is 9% below the national average. A 1-bedroom here costs $871 compared to $959 nationally.
Where does Big Horn County rank nationally for Fair Market Rent? ▼
According to HUD's FY 2026 Fair Market Rent schedule, Big Horn County's 2-bedroom FMR of $963 ranks #944 most affordable among 3,145 HUD counties, placing it in the middle half of HUD counties.
What income do I need to afford rent in Big Horn County? ▼
Based on the 30% affordability rule, you need an annual income of at least $34,840 ($2,903/month) to afford a 1-bedroom at Fair Market Rent in Big Horn County.
Is rent going up or down in Big Horn County? ▼
The 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent in Big Horn County increased by 7.1% from FY 2025 to FY 2026, going from $813 to $871.
Which jobs can afford rent in Big Horn County? ▼
Based on Wyoming BLS salary data and the 30% affordability rule, jobs like Software Developers, General and Operations Managers, Registered Nurses can afford a 1-bedroom at $871/mo. 12 of 15 common occupations are affordable here.
How much has rent changed in Big Horn County over time? ▼
The 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent in Big Horn County went from $547 in FY 2020 to $871 in FY 2026, a total change of +59.2% over 6 years.
How does Fair Market Rent affect Section 8 vouchers in Big Horn County? ▼
In Big Horn County, the FY 2026 FMR of $871/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 Big Horn County? ▼
For Big Horn County, it's the specific 40th-percentile rent HUD publishes each year ($871/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.