County FMR · HUD FY2026

Fairbanks North Star Borough Fair Market Rent

HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent for Fairbanks North Star Borough, AK - 33% above the US average.

$1,277
1-bedroom FMR
$1,676
2-bedroom FMR
+0.4%
YoY change
+33%
vs US avg

The verdict

Fairbanks North Star is the 6th most expensive of 30 counties in Alaska by 2-bedroom FMR.

#6
most expensive of 30 in Alaska (2BR)
+7%
vs the state average
$51,080
income to afford it (30% rule)
+0.4%
YoY, FY2025→2026

General and Operations Managers spend the smallest share of income on rent here (12.7%), while Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary spend the most (50.1%); 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 Fairbanks North Star Borough, AK. Verify with HUD →

HUD sets the FY 2026 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent for Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska at $1,277 per month - the federal rental-assistance benchmark for this county. A 2-bedroom costs $1,676/mo and a studio is $1,156/mo. This is 33% higher than the national average of $959 and 7% above the Alaska average of $1,194.

Rent increased0.4% from FY 2025 ($1,272), roughly tracking inflation. To afford rent here, a household needs at least $51,080/year based on the 30% affordability rule.

FY 2026 HUD Fair Market Rents in Alaska. Population: 96,299. Population has held roughly steady over the past five years (-4.1%, Census ACS). That's slower than Alaska's statewide growth of -0.6% over the same period.

What these rents mean for Fairbanks North Star Borough

The Fairbanks North Star Borough FMR area applies to all ZIP codes inside the county boundary, and Alaska's housing authorities use it as the baseline for Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher payment standards. See how FMR is calculated for the full 40th-percentile methodology and payment-standard rules.

Fairbanks North Star Borough's 1-bedroom rent runs 33% above the US average of $959 and 7% higher than the Alaska state average of $1,194. Over the past year, 1-bedroom rent here shifted from$1,272 in FY 2025 to $1,277 in FY 2026 - a change of +0.4%, which tracks roughly with broader price trends.

At the FY 2026 1-bedroom FMR of $1,277, affording it under the 30%-of-income rule takes $51,080 per year (about $4,257/month) in household income, and a 2-bedroom at $1,676 pushes that threshold even higher. With a population of 96,299 and a county median household income of $84,722, the arithmetic here directly shapes which wage earners can rent without being cost-burdened.

Fair Market Rents (2026)

Studio
State avg: $1,061 · US avg: $893
$1,156/mo
↑ 1.0% YoY +9% vs state +29% vs US
1 Bedroom
State avg: $1,194 · US avg: $959
$1,277/mo
↑ 0.4% YoY +7% vs state +33% vs US
2 Bedroom
State avg: $1,467 · US avg: $1,175
$1,676/mo
↑ 0.4% YoY +14% vs state +43% vs US
3 Bedroom
State avg: $1,941 · US avg: $1,525
$2,331/mo
↓ 0.3% YoY +20% vs state +53% vs US
4 Bedroom
State avg: $2,304 · US avg: $1,756
$2,812/mo
↑ 0.3% YoY +22% vs state +60% vs US

Year-over-Year Comparison

Bedrooms FY 2025 FY 2026 Change
Studio $1,144
$1,156
+$12 (+1.0%)
1 Bedroom $1,272
$1,277
+$5 (+0.4%)
2 Bedroom $1,669
$1,676
+$7 (+0.4%)
3 Bedroom $2,339
$2,331
$-8 (-0.3%)
4 Bedroom $2,803
$2,812
+$9 (+0.3%)

Affordability Snapshot

Based on the standard that rent should not exceed 30% of gross income:

Required annual income for 1 BR
$51,080
$4,257/month gross
Required annual income for 2 BR
$67,040
$5,587/month gross

Rent Burden Analysis

How much of household income goes to rent in Fairbanks North Star Borough. The 30% threshold indicates cost burden.

Studio
16.4%
Affordable
Need $46,240/yr for 30% rule
1 Bedroom
18.1%
Affordable
Need $51,080/yr for 30% rule
2 Bedroom
23.7%
Affordable
Need $67,040/yr for 30% rule
3 Bedroom
33%
Burdened
Need $93,240/yr for 30% rule
4 Bedroom
39.8%
Burdened
Need $112,480/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.

Fairbanks North Star Borough 2-bedroom rent burden

0%100%National avg22%23.7%
Fairbanks North Star Borough 2-bedroom rent burden
County median income: $84,722 · National avg burden: 21.7% ·View Alaska rent burden →

Where Fairbanks North Star sits among every US county

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

$1,676 Top 11% higher than 89% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $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 Fairbanks North Star compares on 1-bedroom rent

1-bedroom FMR vs other Alaska counties

1BR FMR / mo

What this shows Fairbanks North Star is highlighted. Nearby Alaska counties by 1-bedroom FMR, highest to lowest: Bethel Census Area ($1,719), Juneau City and Borough ($1,340), Fairbanks North Star Borough (this county) ($1,277), Anchorage Municipality ($1,243), Ketchikan Gateway Borough ($1,238), 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?

How a 1-bedroom at $1,277/mo compares to Alaska salaries for popular occupations (BLS wage data, 30%-of-income rule).

Occupation AK Salary Rent Burden Verdict
General & Operations Managers $120,470 12.7% Affordable
Software Developers $119,600 12.8% Affordable
Registered Nurses $110,690 13.8% Affordable
Police & Sheriff's Patrol Officers $100,300 15.3% Affordable
Accountants & Auditors $81,950 18.7% Affordable
Electricians $81,860 18.7% Affordable
Elementary School Teachers $76,290 20.1% Affordable
Heavy & Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $64,890 23.6% Affordable
Paralegals & Legal Assistants $61,120 25.1% Affordable
Pharmacy Technicians $50,440 30.4% Stretched
Customer Service Representatives $44,760 34.2% Stretched
Janitors & Cleaners $39,040 39.3% Stretched
Retail Salespersons $36,940 41.5% Stretched
Fast Food & Counter Workers $34,430 44.5% Stretched
Teaching Assistants $30,560 50.1% Unaffordable
Salaries: BLS OES (Alaska) median · 30% = affordable threshold · Try the salary calculator →

Rent Trends (2020–2026)

7-year Fair Market Rent history for Fairbanks North Star Borough. Shows how HUD rental rates have changed over time.

Over the 6-year span HUD has tracked for Fairbanks North Star (FY 2020-2026), the 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent has risen 26.9% overall, from $1,006 to $1,277. Most of that movement was gradual except for a single sharp jump of +12.5% in FY 2023, well above this county's typical year-to-year change.

$900$1,000$1,100$1,200$1,300 FY2020FY2021FY2022FY2023FY2024FY2025FY2026 $1,277
Fairbanks North Star Borough 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent, FY2020–FY2026
Year Studio 1 BR 2 BR
FY 2026 ↑0.4% $1,156 $1,277 $1,676
FY 2025 ↑1.5% $1,144 $1,272 $1,669
FY 2024 ↑11.1% $1,116 $1,253 $1,646
FY 2023 ↑12.5% $993 $1,128 $1,485
FY 2022 ↑1.6% $877 $1,003 $1,320
FY 2021 ↓1.9% $858 $987 $1,301
FY 2020 $863 $1,006 $1,325
Total change (6yr): +26.9%
Annualized: +4.1%/yr
1 BR: $1,006 → $1,277

Part of the Fairbanks-College, AK Metro Area

Fairbanks North Star Borough is a central county of the Fairbanks-College, AK metropolitan statistical area.

Nearby Counties in Alaska

Largest counties by population in Alaska

Anchorage Municipality
1 BR: $1,243/mo Pop: 290,674
Matanuska-Susitna Borough
1 BR: $1,049/mo Pop: 108,661
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
North Slope Borough
1 BR: $1,239/mo Pop: 10,924
View all counties in Alaska →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average rent in Fairbanks North Star Borough? ▼
The FY 2026 Fair Market Rent for a 1-bedroom in Fairbanks North Star Borough is $1,277 per month. A 2-bedroom is $1,676 and a studio is $1,156.
How does Fairbanks North Star Borough rent compare to the national average? ▼
Rent in Fairbanks North Star Borough is 33% above the national average. A 1-bedroom here costs $1,277 compared to $959 nationally.
What income do I need to afford rent in Fairbanks North Star Borough? ▼
Based on the 30% affordability rule, you need an annual income of at least $51,080 ($4,257/month) to afford a 1-bedroom at Fair Market Rent in Fairbanks North Star Borough.
Is rent going up or down in Fairbanks North Star Borough? ▼
The 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent in Fairbanks North Star Borough increased by 0.4% from FY 2025 to FY 2026, going from $1,272 to $1,277.
Which jobs can afford rent in Fairbanks North Star Borough? ▼
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 $1,277/mo. 9 of 15 common occupations are affordable here.
How much has rent changed in Fairbanks North Star Borough over time? ▼
The 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent in Fairbanks North Star Borough went from $1,006 in FY 2020 to $1,277 in FY 2026, a total change of +26.9% over 6 years.
How does Fair Market Rent affect Section 8 vouchers in Fairbanks North Star Borough? ▼
In Fairbanks North Star Borough, the FY 2026 FMR of $1,277/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 Fairbanks North Star Borough? ▼
For Fairbanks North Star Borough, it's the specific 40th-percentile rent HUD publishes each year ($1,277/mo for a 1-bedroom in FY 2026).

What this means for renters

Treat Fairbanks North Star's FY2026 Fair Market Rent as HUD's affordability benchmark, not a market quote.

  • Budget to roughly 30% of income: the FY2026 1-bedroom FMR of $1,277 implies about $51,080/yr to rent without being cost-burdened. Run your numbers
  • Compare this county against nearby metros and states before signing a lease. Compare areas
  • See where it sits on the national rent map. View rankings

Fair Market Rent is HUD's 40th-percentile policy benchmark used to set Housing Choice Voucher payment standards. Actual asking rents in Fairbanks North Star can run higher or lower, and HUD updates FMRs once a year. This page is informational and not financial or relocation advice.

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.