County FMR · HUD FY2026

Matanuska-Susitna Borough Fair Market Rent

HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent for Matanuska-Susitna Borough, AK - 9% above the US average.

$1,049
1-bedroom FMR
$1,376
2-bedroom FMR
-0.6%
YoY change
+9%
vs US avg

The verdict

Matanuska-Susitna is the 13th cheapest of 30 counties in Alaska by 2-bedroom FMR.

#13
cheapest of 30 in Alaska (2BR)
-12%
vs the state average
$41,960
income to afford it (30% rule)
-0.6%
YoY, FY2025→2026

General and Operations Managers spend the smallest share of income on rent here (10.4%), while Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary spend the most (41.2%); 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 Matanuska-Susitna Borough, AK. Verify with HUD →

HUD sets the FY 2026 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent for Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Alaska at $1,049 per month - the federal rental-assistance benchmark for this county. A 2-bedroom costs $1,376/mo and a studio is $1,015/mo. This is 9% higher than the national average of $959 and 12% below the Alaska average of $1,194.

Rent decreased0.6% from FY 2025 ($1,055), roughly tracking inflation. To afford rent here, a household needs at least $41,960/year based on the 30% affordability rule.

FY 2026 HUD Fair Market Rents in Alaska. Population: 108,661. Population grew 7.0% 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 Alaska's statewide growth of -0.6% over the same period.

What these rents mean for Matanuska-Susitna Borough

The Matanuska-Susitna 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.

Matanuska-Susitna Borough's 1-bedroom rent runs 9% above the US average of $959 and 12% lower than the Alaska state average of $1,194. Over the past year, 1-bedroom rent here shifted from$1,055 in FY 2025 to $1,049 in FY 2026 - a change of -0.6%, which tracks roughly with broader price trends.

At the FY 2026 1-bedroom FMR of $1,049, affording it under the 30%-of-income rule takes $41,960 per year (about $3,497/month) in household income, and a 2-bedroom at $1,376 pushes that threshold even higher. With a population of 108,661 and a county median household income of $90,625, 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
$1,015/mo
↓ 0.4% YoY -4% vs state +14% vs US
1 Bedroom
State avg: $1,194 · US avg: $959
$1,049/mo
↓ 0.6% YoY -12% vs state +9% vs US
2 Bedroom
State avg: $1,467 · US avg: $1,175
$1,376/mo
↓ 0.6% YoY -6% vs state +17% vs US
3 Bedroom
State avg: $1,941 · US avg: $1,525
$1,914/mo
↓ 1.3% YoY -1% vs state +26% vs US
4 Bedroom
State avg: $2,304 · US avg: $1,756
$2,308/mo
↓ 0.7% YoY +0% vs state +31% vs US

Year-over-Year Comparison

Bedrooms FY 2025 FY 2026 Change
Studio $1,019
$1,015
$-4 (-0.4%)
1 Bedroom $1,055
$1,049
$-6 (-0.6%)
2 Bedroom $1,384
$1,376
$-8 (-0.6%)
3 Bedroom $1,939
$1,914
$-25 (-1.3%)
4 Bedroom $2,324
$2,308
$-16 (-0.7%)

Affordability Snapshot

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

Required annual income for 1 BR
$41,960
$3,497/month gross
Required annual income for 2 BR
$55,040
$4,587/month gross

Rent Burden Analysis

How much of household income goes to rent in Matanuska-Susitna Borough. The 30% threshold indicates cost burden.

Studio
13.4%
Affordable
Need $40,600/yr for 30% rule
1 Bedroom
13.9%
Affordable
Need $41,960/yr for 30% rule
2 Bedroom
18.2%
Affordable
Need $55,040/yr for 30% rule
3 Bedroom
25.3%
Affordable
Need $76,560/yr for 30% rule
4 Bedroom
30.6%
Burdened
Need $92,320/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.

Matanuska-Susitna Borough 2-bedroom rent burden

0%100%National avg22%18.2%
Matanuska-Susitna Borough 2-bedroom rent burden
County median income: $90,625 · National avg burden: 21.7% ·View Alaska rent burden →

Where Matanuska-Susitna sits among every US county

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

$1,376 Top 19% higher than 81% 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 Matanuska-Susitna compares on 1-bedroom rent

1-bedroom FMR vs other Alaska counties

1BR FMR / mo

What this shows Matanuska-Susitna 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 (this county) ($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 $1,049/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 10.4% Affordable
Software Developers $119,600 10.5% Affordable
Registered Nurses $110,690 11.4% Affordable
Police & Sheriff's Patrol Officers $100,300 12.6% Affordable
Accountants & Auditors $81,950 15.4% Affordable
Electricians $81,860 15.4% Affordable
Elementary School Teachers $76,290 16.5% Affordable
Heavy & Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $64,890 19.4% Affordable
Paralegals & Legal Assistants $61,120 20.6% Affordable
Pharmacy Technicians $50,440 25% Affordable
Customer Service Representatives $44,760 28.1% Affordable
Janitors & Cleaners $39,040 32.2% Stretched
Retail Salespersons $36,940 34.1% Stretched
Fast Food & Counter Workers $34,430 36.6% Stretched
Teaching Assistants $30,560 41.2% Stretched
Salaries: BLS OES (Alaska) median · 30% = affordable threshold · Try the salary calculator →

Rent Trends (2020–2026)

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

Over the 6-year span HUD has tracked for Matanuska-Susitna (FY 2020-2026), the 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent has risen 32.4% overall, from $792 to $1,049. Most of that movement was gradual except for a single sharp jump of +12.0% in FY 2023, well above this county's typical year-to-year change.

$700$800$900$1,000$1,100 FY2020FY2021FY2022FY2023FY2024FY2025FY2026 $1,049
Matanuska-Susitna Borough 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent, FY2020–FY2026
Year Studio 1 BR 2 BR
FY 2026 ↓0.6% $1,015 $1,049 $1,376
FY 2025 ↑8.3% $1,019 $1,055 $1,384
FY 2024 ↑10.2% $919 $974 $1,280
FY 2023 ↑12.0% $830 $884 $1,164
FY 2022 ↑1.8% $744 $789 $1,035
FY 2021 ↓2.1% $733 $775 $1,020
FY 2020 $741 $792 $1,043
Total change (6yr): +32.4%
Annualized: +4.8%/yr
1 BR: $792 → $1,049

Part of the Anchorage, AK Metro Area

Matanuska-Susitna Borough is a outlying county of the Anchorage, AK metropolitan statistical area, alongside 1 other metro-area county.

Matanuska-Susitna Borough ranks #2 of 2 counties in this metro area by 1-bedroom FMR. Every county sharing this metro, highest to lowest: Anchorage Municipality ($1,243), Matanuska-Susitna Borough (this county) ($1,049).

Anchorage Municipality
1 BR: $1,243/mo
Matanuska-Susitna Borough (this county)
1 BR: $1,049/mo

Nearby Counties in Alaska

Largest counties by population in Alaska

Anchorage Municipality
1 BR: $1,243/mo Pop: 290,674
Fairbanks North Star Borough
1 BR: $1,277/mo Pop: 96,299
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 Matanuska-Susitna Borough? ▼
The FY 2026 Fair Market Rent for a 1-bedroom in Matanuska-Susitna Borough is $1,049 per month. A 2-bedroom is $1,376 and a studio is $1,015.
How does Matanuska-Susitna Borough rent compare to the national average? ▼
Rent in Matanuska-Susitna Borough is 9% above the national average. A 1-bedroom here costs $1,049 compared to $959 nationally.
What income do I need to afford rent in Matanuska-Susitna Borough? ▼
Based on the 30% affordability rule, you need an annual income of at least $41,960 ($3,497/month) to afford a 1-bedroom at Fair Market Rent in Matanuska-Susitna Borough.
Is rent going up or down in Matanuska-Susitna Borough? ▼
The 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent in Matanuska-Susitna Borough decreased by 0.6% from FY 2025 to FY 2026, going from $1,055 to $1,049.
Which jobs can afford rent in Matanuska-Susitna 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 $1,049/mo. 11 of 15 common occupations are affordable here.
How much has rent changed in Matanuska-Susitna Borough over time? ▼
The 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent in Matanuska-Susitna Borough went from $792 in FY 2020 to $1,049 in FY 2026, a total change of +32.4% over 6 years.
How does Fair Market Rent affect Section 8 vouchers in Matanuska-Susitna Borough? ▼
In Matanuska-Susitna Borough, the FY 2026 FMR of $1,049/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 Matanuska-Susitna Borough? ▼
For Matanuska-Susitna Borough, it's the specific 40th-percentile rent HUD publishes each year ($1,049/mo for a 1-bedroom in FY 2026).

What this means for renters

Treat Matanuska-Susitna'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 $1,049 implies about $41,960/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 Matanuska-Susitna 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.