County FMR · HUD FY2026

Dawson County Fair Market Rent

HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent for Dawson County, MT - 0% below the US average.

$956
1-bedroom FMR
$1,254
2-bedroom FMR
+20.3%
YoY change
-0%
vs US avg

The verdict

Dawson is the 22nd cheapest of 56 counties in Montana by 2-bedroom FMR; nationally it ranks #881 most expensive of 3,145 HUD counties; rent here has climbed 20.3% since FY 2025, a sharp move relative to most counties.

#881
most expensive of 3,145 US counties (2BR)
#22
cheapest of 56 in Montana (2BR)
-11%
vs the state average
$38,240
income to afford it (30% rule)

Software Developers spend the smallest share of income on rent here (11.5%), while Fast Food and Counter Workers spend the most (39.2%); nearby Montana counties range as much as 68% apart in 1-bedroom FMR, so the county line itself can matter for renters comparing options.

FY 2026 HUD Fair Market Rent for Dawson County, MT. Verify with HUD →

HUD sets the FY 2026 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent for Dawson County, Montana at $956 per month - the federal rental-assistance benchmark for this county. A 2-bedroom costs $1,254/mo and a studio is $940/mo. This is 0% lower than the national average of $959 and 11% below the Montana average of $1,076.

Rent increased20.3% from FY 2025 ($795), outpacing inflation. Under the 30% rule, affordability starts near $38,240/year for a 1-bedroom.

Observed renter burden: 32.6% of the 1,023 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 Montana. Population: 8,915. Population has held roughly steady over the past five years (-3.4%, Census ACS). That's slower than Montana's statewide growth of +6.1% over the same period.

FMR filing desk

Area DAWSON·COUNTY·MT·MT

Dawson County, MT: $956/mo 1BR · #881 of 3145 counties (2BR) · FY2026

  • FMR-AREA MT
  • 1BR-FMR $956
  • 2BR-FMR $1,254
  • RANK-MID #881
  • YOY-SURGE +20.3%
  • VSUS-NEAR -0%
  • VS-ST-LOW -11% MT
  • INC-ROOM 16%
  • POP-SMALL 9K
  • PHOTO-NEAR Yellowstone County
  • VOUCH-90-110 $860–$1,052
  • FY-2026 FY2026

Photo-finish peer: Yellowstone ($153 1BR gap)

Read with: How Fair Market Rent works

Fair Market Rents (2026)

Studio
State avg: $988 · US avg: $893
$940/mo
↑ 23.8% YoY -5% vs state +5% vs US
1 Bedroom
State avg: $1,076 · US avg: $959
$956/mo
↑ 20.3% YoY -11% vs state -0% vs US
2 Bedroom
State avg: $1,336 · US avg: $1,175
$1,254/mo
↑ 21.2% YoY -6% vs state +7% vs US
3 Bedroom
State avg: $1,789 · US avg: $1,525
$1,504/mo
↑ 20.6% YoY -16% vs state -1% vs US
4 Bedroom
State avg: $2,113 · US avg: $1,756
$1,942/mo
↑ 24.8% YoY -8% vs state +11% vs US

Year-over-Year Comparison

Bedrooms FY 2025 FY 2026 Change
Studio $759
$940
+$181 (+23.8%)
1 Bedroom $795
$956
+$161 (+20.3%)
2 Bedroom $1,035
$1,254
+$219 (+21.2%)
3 Bedroom $1,247
$1,504
+$257 (+20.6%)
4 Bedroom $1,556
$1,942
+$386 (+24.8%)

Rent Burden Analysis

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

Studio
15.9%
Affordable
Need $37,600/yr for 30% rule
1 Bedroom
16.2%
Affordable
Need $38,240/yr for 30% rule
2 Bedroom
21.2%
Affordable
Need $50,160/yr for 30% rule
3 Bedroom
25.4%
Affordable
Need $60,160/yr for 30% rule
4 Bedroom
32.8%
Burdened
Need $77,680/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%21.2%
Dawson County 2-bedroom rent burden
County median income: $70,953 · National avg burden: 21.7% ·View Montana rent burden →

Where Dawson sits among every US county

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

$1,254 Top 28% higher than 72% 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 Dawson compares on 1-bedroom rent

1-bedroom FMR vs other Montana counties

1BR FMR / mo

What this shows Dawson is highlighted. Nearby Montana counties by 1-bedroom FMR, highest to lowest: Gallatin County ($1,642), Missoula County ($1,400), Lewis and Clark County ($1,319), Flathead County ($1,289), Yellowstone County ($1,109), Cascade County ($979), Dawson County (this county) ($956).

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

Can Common Jobs Afford Rent Here?

How a 1-bedroom at $956/mo compares to Montana salaries for popular occupations (BLS wage data, 30%-of-income rule).

Occupation MT Salary Rent Burden Verdict
Software Developers $100,190 11.5% Affordable
General & Operations Managers $85,240 13.5% Affordable
Registered Nurses $81,560 14.1% Affordable
Accountants & Auditors $74,400 15.4% Affordable
Police & Sheriff's Patrol Officers $69,910 16.4% Affordable
Electricians $68,980 16.6% Affordable
Heavy & Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $59,060 19.4% Affordable
Elementary School Teachers $56,200 20.4% Affordable
Paralegals & Legal Assistants $54,230 21.2% Affordable
Pharmacy Technicians $46,980 24.4% Affordable
Customer Service Representatives $43,820 26.2% Affordable
Janitors & Cleaners $37,390 30.7% Stretched
Retail Salespersons $35,000 32.8% Stretched
Teaching Assistants $33,720 34% Stretched
Fast Food & Counter Workers $29,280 39.2% Stretched
Salaries: BLS OES (Montana) median · 30% = affordable threshold · Try the salary calculator →

Rent Trends (2020–2026)

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

Over the 6-year span HUD has tracked for Dawson (FY 2020-2026), the 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent has risen 26.3% overall, from $757 to $956. The path there hasn't been smooth: year-over-year moves have swung by as much as 20.3% (FY 2026), a volatility pattern that makes single-year comparisons a poor guide to the underlying trend.

$700$800$900$1,000 FY2020FY2021FY2022FY2023FY2024FY2025FY2026 $956
Dawson County 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent, FY2020–FY2026
Year Studio 1 BR 2 BR
FY 2026 ↑20.3% $940 $956 $1,254
FY 2025 ↑10.0% $759 $795 $1,035
FY 2024 ↓10.0% $658 $723 $905
FY 2023 ↓0.5% $654 $803 $907
FY 2022 ↓8.0% $650 $807 $920
FY 2021 ↑15.9% $700 $877 $1,000
FY 2020 $583 $757 $894
Total change (6yr): +26.3%
Annualized: +4.0%/yr
1 BR: $757 → $956

Where Dawson County Ranks in Montana

Dawson 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 #22 of 56 counties in Montana. Nearest by rank: Blaine County ($1,184), Rosebud County ($1,186), Valley County ($1,200), Roosevelt County ($1,201), Sheridan County ($1,211), Toole County ($1,230), Carter County ($1,244), Dawson County (this county) ($1,254), Pondera County ($1,254), Stillwater County ($1,257), Glacier County ($1,275), Cascade County ($1,284), Big Horn County ($1,302), Chouteau County ($1,307), Hill County ($1,307).

Blaine County
2 BR: $1,184/mo
Rosebud County
2 BR: $1,186/mo
Valley County
2 BR: $1,200/mo
Roosevelt County
2 BR: $1,201/mo
Sheridan County
2 BR: $1,211/mo
Toole County
2 BR: $1,230/mo
Carter County
2 BR: $1,244/mo
Dawson County (this county)
2 BR: $1,254/mo
Pondera County
2 BR: $1,254/mo
Stillwater County
2 BR: $1,257/mo
Glacier County
2 BR: $1,275/mo
Cascade County
2 BR: $1,284/mo
Big Horn County
2 BR: $1,302/mo
Chouteau County
2 BR: $1,307/mo
Hill County
2 BR: $1,307/mo

Nationwide peers by 2BR FMR & rent burden

Two PlainRent-derived comparison paths for Dawson County, both outside Montana 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 MT (FY2026).

Roanoke city
VA · 2 BR $1,254/mo
Roanoke County
VA · 2 BR $1,254/mo
Botetourt County
VA · 2 BR $1,254/mo
Salem city
VA · 2 BR $1,254/mo

Similar rent burden

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

Putnam County
GA · 21.2% of income · 2 BR $1,134/mo
Camp County
TX · 21.2% of income · 2 BR $973/mo
Pontotoc County
MS · 21.2% of income · 2 BR $932/mo
Ross County
OH · 21.2% of income · 2 BR $1,057/mo

Nearby Counties in Montana

Largest counties by population in Montana

Showing the 8 largest of 55 other counties in Montana.

Yellowstone County
1 BR: $1,109/mo Pop: 165,524
Gallatin County
1 BR: $1,642/mo Pop: 119,685
Missoula County
1 BR: $1,400/mo Pop: 118,541
Flathead County
1 BR: $1,289/mo Pop: 105,950
Cascade County
1 BR: $979/mo Pop: 84,423
Lewis and Clark County
1 BR: $1,319/mo Pop: 71,487
Ravalli County
1 BR: $1,145/mo Pop: 44,876
Silver Bow County
1 BR: $1,149/mo Pop: 35,306
View all counties in Montana →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average rent in Dawson County? ▼
The FY 2026 Fair Market Rent for a 1-bedroom in Dawson County is $956 per month. A 2-bedroom is $1,254 and a studio is $940.
How does Dawson County rent compare to the national average? ▼
Rent in Dawson County is 0% below the national average. A 1-bedroom here costs $956 compared to $959 nationally.
Where does Dawson County rank nationally for Fair Market Rent? ▼
According to HUD's FY 2026 Fair Market Rent schedule, Dawson County's 2-bedroom FMR of $1,254 ranks #881 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 Dawson County? ▼
Based on the 30% affordability rule, you need an annual income of at least $38,240 ($3,187/month) to afford a 1-bedroom at Fair Market Rent in Dawson County.
Is rent going up or down in Dawson County? ▼
The 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent in Dawson County increased by 20.3% from FY 2025 to FY 2026, going from $795 to $956.
Which jobs can afford rent in Dawson County? ▼
Based on Montana BLS salary data and the 30% affordability rule, jobs like Software Developers, General and Operations Managers, Registered Nurses can afford a 1-bedroom at $956/mo. 11 of 15 common occupations are affordable here.
How much has rent changed in Dawson County over time? ▼
The 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent in Dawson County went from $757 in FY 2020 to $956 in FY 2026, a total change of +26.3% over 6 years.
How does Fair Market Rent affect Section 8 vouchers in Dawson County? ▼
In Dawson County, the FY 2026 FMR of $956/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 Dawson County? ▼
For Dawson County, it's the specific 40th-percentile rent HUD publishes each year ($956/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.