County FMR · HUD FY2026
Lewis and Clark County Fair Market Rent
HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent for Lewis and Clark County, MT - 38% above the US average.
- $1,319
- 1-bedroom FMR
- $1,647
- 2-bedroom FMR
- +23.0%
- YoY change
- +38%
- vs US avg
The verdict
Lewis and Clark is the 5th most expensive of 56 counties in Montana by 2-bedroom FMR; rent here has climbed 23.0% since FY 2025, a sharp move relative to most counties.
- #5
- most expensive of 56 in Montana (2BR)
- +23%
- vs the state average
- $52,760
- income to afford it (30% rule)
- +23.0%
- YoY, FY2025→2026
Software Developers spend the smallest share of income on rent here (15.8%), while Fast Food and Counter Workers spend the most (54.1%); 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 Lewis and Clark County, MT. Verify with HUD →
The Fair Market Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Lewis and Clark County, Montana is $1,319 per month in FY 2026, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). A 2-bedroom costs $1,647/mo and a studio is $1,136/mo. This is 38% higher than the national average of $959 and 23% above the Montana average of $1,076.
Rent increased23.0% from FY 2025 ($1,072), outpacing inflation. To afford rent here, a household needs at least $52,760/year based on the 30% affordability rule.
FY 2026 HUD Fair Market Rents in Montana. Population: 71,487. Population grew 8.2% over the past five years (Census ACS) - among the faster-growing counties nationally, a trend that typically adds upward pressure on rents. That's faster than Montana's statewide growth of +6.1% over the same period.
What these rents mean for Lewis and Clark County
The Lewis and Clark County FMR area applies to all ZIP codes inside the county boundary, and Montana'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.
Compared to the rest of the country, a 1-bedroom here is 38% above the US average of $959 and 23% higher than the Montana state average of $1,076. Year-over-year, the 1-bedroom FMR moved from$1,072 in FY 2025 to $1,319 in FY 2026 - a change of +23.0%, which outpaces typical consumer inflation.
At the FY 2026 1-bedroom FMR of $1,319, affording it under the 30%-of-income rule takes $52,760 per year (about $4,397/month) in household income, and a 2-bedroom at $1,647 pushes that threshold even higher. With a population of 71,487 and a county median household income of $74,543, the arithmetic here directly shapes which wage earners can rent without being cost-burdened.
Fair Market Rents (2026)
Year-over-Year Comparison
| Bedrooms | FY 2025 | FY 2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $932 | $1,136 | +$204 (+21.9%) |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,072 | $1,319 | +$247 (+23.0%) |
| 2 Bedroom | $1,359 | $1,647 | +$288 (+21.2%) |
| 3 Bedroom | $1,793 | $2,250 | +$457 (+25.5%) |
| 4 Bedroom | $2,041 | $2,496 | +$455 (+22.3%) |
Affordability Snapshot
Based on the standard that rent should not exceed 30% of gross income:
Rent Burden Analysis
How much of household income goes to rent in Lewis and Clark County. The 30% threshold indicates cost burden.
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.
Lewis and Clark County 2-bedroom rent burden
Where Lewis and Clark sits among every US county
2-bedroom Fair Market Rent vs. all 3,145 HUD counties
$1,647 Top 12% higher than 88% of 3,145 counties
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 Lewis and Clark compares on 1-bedroom rent
1-bedroom FMR vs other Montana counties
- Gallatin
Gallatin County
$1,642 1BR FMR / mo
- Missoula
Missoula County
$1,400 1BR FMR / mo
- Lewis and Clark
Lewis and Clark County
$1,319 1BR FMR / mo
- Flathead
Flathead County
$1,289 1BR FMR / mo
- Ravalli
Ravalli County
$1,145 1BR FMR / mo
- Yellowstone
Yellowstone County
$1,109 1BR FMR / mo
- Cascade
Cascade County
$979 1BR FMR / mo
What this shows Lewis and Clark is highlighted. Nearby Montana counties by 1-bedroom FMR, highest to lowest: Gallatin County ($1,642), Missoula County ($1,400), Lewis and Clark County (this county) ($1,319), Flathead County ($1,289), Ravalli County ($1,145), Yellowstone County ($1,109), Cascade County ($979).
Can Common Jobs Afford Rent Here?
How a 1-bedroom at $1,319/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 | 15.8% | Affordable |
| General & Operations Managers | $85,240 | 18.6% | Affordable |
| Registered Nurses | $81,560 | 19.4% | Affordable |
| Accountants & Auditors | $74,400 | 21.3% | Affordable |
| Police & Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $69,910 | 22.6% | Affordable |
| Electricians | $68,980 | 22.9% | Affordable |
| Heavy & Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $59,060 | 26.8% | Affordable |
| Elementary School Teachers | $56,200 | 28.2% | Affordable |
| Paralegals & Legal Assistants | $54,230 | 29.2% | Affordable |
| Pharmacy Technicians | $46,980 | 33.7% | Stretched |
| Customer Service Representatives | $43,820 | 36.1% | Stretched |
| Janitors & Cleaners | $37,390 | 42.3% | Stretched |
| Retail Salespersons | $35,000 | 45.2% | Stretched |
| Teaching Assistants | $33,720 | 46.9% | Stretched |
| Fast Food & Counter Workers | $29,280 | 54.1% | Unaffordable |
Rent Trends (2020–2026)
7-year Fair Market Rent history for Lewis and Clark County. Shows how HUD rental rates have changed over time.
Over the 6-year span HUD has tracked for Lewis and Clark (FY 2020-2026), the 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent has risen 68.7% overall, from $782 to $1,319. The path there hasn't been smooth: year-over-year moves have swung by as much as 28.1% (FY 2025), a volatility pattern that makes single-year comparisons a poor guide to the underlying trend.
| Year | Studio | 1 BR | 2 BR |
|---|---|---|---|
| FY 2026 ↑23.0% | $1,136 | $1,319 | $1,647 |
| FY 2025 ↑28.1% | $932 | $1,072 | $1,359 |
| FY 2024 ↑5.8% | $729 | $837 | $1,057 |
| FY 2023 ↑7.5% | $683 | $791 | $1,003 |
| FY 2022 ↓4.9% | $618 | $736 | $923 |
| FY 2021 ↓1.0% | $649 | $774 | $984 |
| FY 2020 | $647 | $782 | $993 |
Part of the Helena, MT Metro Area
Lewis and Clark County is a central county of the Helena, MT metropolitan statistical area, alongside 2 other metro-area counties.
Lewis and Clark County ranks #2 of 3 counties in this metro area by 1-bedroom FMR. Every county sharing this metro, highest to lowest: Broadwater County ($1,595), Lewis and Clark County (this county) ($1,319), Jefferson County ($1,070).
Nearby Counties in Montana
Largest counties by population in Montana
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average rent in Lewis and Clark County? ▼
How does Lewis and Clark County rent compare to the national average? ▼
What income do I need to afford rent in Lewis and Clark County? ▼
Is rent going up or down in Lewis and Clark County? ▼
Which jobs can afford rent in Lewis and Clark County? ▼
How much has rent changed in Lewis and Clark County over time? ▼
How does Fair Market Rent affect Section 8 vouchers in Lewis and Clark County? ▼
What does Fair Market Rent mean for Lewis and Clark County? ▼
What this means for renters
Treat Lewis and Clark'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 $1,319 implies about $52,760/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 Lewis and Clark 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.
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.