County FMR · HUD FY2026

Kenai Peninsula Borough Fair Market Rent

HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent for Kenai Peninsula Borough, AK - 4% above the US average.

$1,000
1-bedroom FMR
$1,312
2-bedroom FMR
+5.4%
YoY change
+4%
vs US avg

The verdict

Kenai Peninsula is the 10th cheapest of 30 counties in Alaska by 2-bedroom FMR; nationally it ranks #723 most expensive of 3,145 HUD counties; rent here has climbed 5.4% since FY 2025, a modest shift relative to most counties.

#723
most expensive of 3,145 US counties (2BR)
#10
cheapest of 30 in Alaska (2BR)
-16%
vs the state average
$40,000
income to afford it (30% rule)

Software Developers spend the smallest share of income on rent here (10%), while Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary spend the most (39.3%); nearby Alaska counties range as much as 64% apart in 1-bedroom FMR, so the county line itself can matter for renters comparing options.

FY 2026 HUD Fair Market Rent for Kenai Peninsula Borough, AK. Verify with HUD →

The Fair Market Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska is $1,000 per month in FY 2026, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). A 2-bedroom costs $1,312/mo and a studio is $993/mo. This is 4% higher than the national average of $959 and 16% below the Alaska average of $1,194.

Rent increased5.4% from FY 2025 ($949), outpacing inflation. Under the 30% rule, affordability starts near $40,000/year for a 1-bedroom.

Observed renter burden: 41.8% of the 5,551 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: 59,235. Population has held roughly steady over the past five years (+2.8%, Census ACS). That's faster than Alaska's statewide growth of -0.6% over the same period.

FMR filing desk

Area KENAI·PENINSULA·BOROUGH·AK·AK

Kenai Peninsula Borough, AK: $1,000/mo 1BR · #723 of 3145 counties (2BR) · FY2026

  • FMR-AREA AK
  • 1BR-FMR $1,000
  • 2BR-FMR $1,312
  • RANK-MID #723
  • YOY-SURGE +5.4%
  • VSUS-NEAR +4%
  • VS-ST-LOW -16% AK
  • INC-ROOM 15%
  • POP-MID 59K
  • PHOTO-NEAR Anchorage Municipa
  • VOUCH-90-110 $900–$1,100
  • FY-2026 FY2026

Photo-finish peer: Anchorage Municipality ($243 1BR gap)

Read with: How Fair Market Rent works

Fair Market Rents (2026)

Studio
State avg: $1,061 · US avg: $893
$993/mo
↑ 5.3% YoY -6% vs state +11% vs US
1 Bedroom
State avg: $1,194 · US avg: $959
$1,000/mo
↑ 5.4% YoY -16% vs state +4% vs US
2 Bedroom
State avg: $1,467 · US avg: $1,175
$1,312/mo
↑ 5.4% YoY -11% vs state +12% vs US
3 Bedroom
State avg: $1,941 · US avg: $1,525
$1,825/mo
↑ 4.6% YoY -6% vs state +20% vs US
4 Bedroom
State avg: $2,304 · US avg: $1,756
$2,201/mo
↑ 5.3% YoY -4% vs state +25% vs US

Year-over-Year Comparison

Bedrooms FY 2025 FY 2026 Change
Studio $943
$993
+$50 (+5.3%)
1 Bedroom $949
$1,000
+$51 (+5.4%)
2 Bedroom $1,245
$1,312
+$67 (+5.4%)
3 Bedroom $1,745
$1,825
+$80 (+4.6%)
4 Bedroom $2,091
$2,201
+$110 (+5.3%)

Rent Burden Analysis

How much of household income goes to rent in Kenai Peninsula Borough. The 30% threshold indicates cost burden.

Studio
15.3%
Affordable
Need $39,720/yr for 30% rule
1 Bedroom
15.4%
Affordable
Need $40,000/yr for 30% rule
2 Bedroom
20.3%
Affordable
Need $52,480/yr for 30% rule
3 Bedroom
28.2%
Affordable
Need $73,000/yr for 30% rule
4 Bedroom
34%
Burdened
Need $88,040/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%20.3%
Kenai Peninsula Borough 2-bedroom rent burden
County median income: $77,722 · National avg burden: 21.7% ·View Alaska rent burden →

Where Kenai Peninsula sits among every US county

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

$1,312 Top 23% higher than 77% 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 Kenai Peninsula compares on 1-bedroom rent

1-bedroom FMR vs other Alaska counties

1BR FMR / mo

What this shows Kenai Peninsula 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 ($1,277), Anchorage Municipality ($1,243), Ketchikan Gateway Borough ($1,238), Matanuska-Susitna Borough ($1,049), Kenai Peninsula Borough (this county) ($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 $1,000/mo compares to Alaska salaries for popular occupations (BLS wage data, 30%-of-income rule).

Occupation AK Salary Rent Burden Verdict
Software Developers $119,600 10% Affordable
General & Operations Managers $120,470 10% Affordable
Registered Nurses $110,690 10.8% Affordable
Police & Sheriff's Patrol Officers $100,300 12% Affordable
Accountants & Auditors $81,950 14.6% Affordable
Electricians $81,860 14.7% Affordable
Elementary School Teachers $76,290 15.7% Affordable
Heavy & Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $64,890 18.5% Affordable
Paralegals & Legal Assistants $61,120 19.6% Affordable
Pharmacy Technicians $50,440 23.8% Affordable
Customer Service Representatives $44,760 26.8% Affordable
Janitors & Cleaners $39,040 30.7% Stretched
Retail Salespersons $36,940 32.5% Stretched
Fast Food & Counter Workers $34,430 34.9% Stretched
Teaching Assistants $30,560 39.3% Stretched
Salaries: BLS OES (Alaska) median · 30% = affordable threshold · Try the salary calculator →

Rent Trends (2020–2026)

7-year Fair Market Rent history for Kenai Peninsula Borough. Shows how HUD rental rates have changed over time.

Over the 6-year span HUD has tracked for Kenai Peninsula (FY 2020-2026), the 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent has risen 10.5% overall, from $905 to $1,000. The increases have been fairly steady year to year, with no single jump exceeding 10.1% (FY 2023).

$800$850$900$950$1,000$1,050 FY2020FY2021FY2022FY2023FY2024FY2025FY2026 $1,000
Kenai Peninsula Borough 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent, FY2020–FY2026
Year Studio 1 BR 2 BR
FY 2026 ↑5.4% $993 $1,000 $1,312
FY 2025 ↓4.1% $943 $949 $1,245
FY 2024 ↑9.6% $984 $990 $1,301
FY 2023 ↑10.1% $901 $903 $1,179
FY 2022 ↑0.4% $815 $820 $1,072
FY 2021 ↓9.7% $814 $817 $1,077
FY 2020 $896 $905 $1,192
Total change (6yr): +10.5%
Annualized: +1.7%/yr
1 BR: $905 → $1,000

Where Kenai Peninsula Borough Ranks in Alaska

Kenai Peninsula Borough 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 #10 of 30 counties in Alaska. Nearest by rank: Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area ($1,153), Denali Borough ($1,187), Wrangell City and Borough ($1,217), Bristol Bay Borough ($1,243), Dillingham Census Area ($1,247), Kenai Peninsula Borough (this county) ($1,312), Southeast Fairbanks Census Area ($1,313), Haines Borough ($1,321), Matanuska-Susitna Borough ($1,376), Aleutians East Borough ($1,385), Yakutat City and Borough ($1,388).

Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area
2 BR: $1,153/mo
Denali Borough
2 BR: $1,187/mo
Wrangell City and Borough
2 BR: $1,217/mo
Bristol Bay Borough
2 BR: $1,243/mo
Dillingham Census Area
2 BR: $1,247/mo
Kenai Peninsula Borough (this county)
2 BR: $1,312/mo
Southeast Fairbanks Census Area
2 BR: $1,313/mo
Haines Borough
2 BR: $1,321/mo
Matanuska-Susitna Borough
2 BR: $1,376/mo
Aleutians East Borough
2 BR: $1,385/mo
Yakutat City and Borough
2 BR: $1,388/mo

Nationwide peers by 2BR FMR & rent burden

Two PlainRent-derived comparison paths for Kenai Peninsula Borough, 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).

Humboldt County
NV · 2 BR $1,312/mo
Richland County
MT · 2 BR $1,312/mo
Madison County
AL · 2 BR $1,310/mo
Limestone County
AL · 2 BR $1,310/mo

Similar rent burden

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

Cayuga County
NY · 20.3% of income · 2 BR $1,124/mo
Ashland County
WI · 20.3% of income · 2 BR $973/mo
Richland County
OH · 20.3% of income · 2 BR $973/mo
Essex County
NY · 20.3% of income · 2 BR $1,185/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
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 Kenai Peninsula Borough? ▼
The FY 2026 Fair Market Rent for a 1-bedroom in Kenai Peninsula Borough is $1,000 per month. A 2-bedroom is $1,312 and a studio is $993.
How does Kenai Peninsula Borough rent compare to the national average? ▼
Rent in Kenai Peninsula Borough is 4% above the national average. A 1-bedroom here costs $1,000 compared to $959 nationally.
Where does Kenai Peninsula Borough rank nationally for Fair Market Rent? ▼
According to HUD's FY 2026 Fair Market Rent schedule, Kenai Peninsula Borough's 2-bedroom FMR of $1,312 ranks #723 most expensive among 3,145 HUD counties, placing it in the upper-rent quarter of HUD counties.
What income do I need to afford rent in Kenai Peninsula Borough? ▼
Based on the 30% affordability rule, you need an annual income of at least $40,000 ($3,333/month) to afford a 1-bedroom at Fair Market Rent in Kenai Peninsula Borough.
Is rent going up or down in Kenai Peninsula Borough? ▼
The 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent in Kenai Peninsula Borough increased by 5.4% from FY 2025 to FY 2026, going from $949 to $1,000.
Which jobs can afford rent in Kenai Peninsula Borough? ▼
Based on Alaska BLS salary data and the 30% affordability rule, jobs like Software Developers, General and Operations Managers, Registered Nurses can afford a 1-bedroom at $1,000/mo. 11 of 15 common occupations are affordable here.
How much has rent changed in Kenai Peninsula Borough over time? ▼
The 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent in Kenai Peninsula Borough went from $905 in FY 2020 to $1,000 in FY 2026, a total change of +10.5% over 6 years.
How does Fair Market Rent affect Section 8 vouchers in Kenai Peninsula Borough? ▼
In Kenai Peninsula Borough, the FY 2026 FMR of $1,000/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 Kenai Peninsula Borough? ▼
For Kenai Peninsula Borough, it's the specific 40th-percentile rent HUD publishes each year ($1,000/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.