County FMR · HUD FY2026

Northwest Arctic Borough Fair Market Rent

HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent for Northwest Arctic Borough, AK - 53% above the US average.

$1,471
1-bedroom FMR
$1,930
2-bedroom FMR
+2.6%
YoY change
+53%
vs US avg

The verdict

Northwest Arctic is the 4th most expensive of 30 counties in Alaska by 2-bedroom FMR; nationally it ranks #157 most expensive of 3,145 HUD counties.

#157
most expensive of 3,145 US counties (2BR)
#4
most expensive of 30 in Alaska (2BR)
+23%
vs the state average
$58,840
income to afford it (30% rule)

General and Operations Managers spend the smallest share of income on rent here (14.7%), while Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary spend the most (57.8%); 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 Northwest Arctic Borough, AK. Verify with HUD →

The Fair Market Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Northwest Arctic Borough, Alaska is $1,471 per month in FY 2026, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). A 2-bedroom costs $1,930/mo and a studio is $1,331/mo. This is 53% higher than the national average of $959 and 23% above the Alaska average of $1,194.

Rent increased2.6% from FY 2025 ($1,434), outpacing inflation. Clearing the 30% rule here takes $58,840/year, a high bar relative to most US counties.

Observed renter burden: 13.6% of the 718 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: 7,682. Population has held roughly steady over the past five years (-1.6%, Census ACS). That's in line with Alaska's statewide growth of -0.6% over the same period.

FMR filing desk

Area NORTHWEST·ARCTIC·BOROUGH·AK·AK

Northwest Arctic Borough, AK: $1,471/mo 1BR · #157 of 3145 counties (2BR) · FY2026

  • FMR-AREA AK
  • 1BR-FMR $1,471
  • 2BR-FMR $1,930
  • RANK-UPPER #157
  • YOY-UP +2.6%
  • VSUS-HIGH +53%
  • VS-ST-HIGH +23% AK
  • INC-MID 22%
  • POP-SMALL 8K
  • PHOTO-NEAR Anchorage Municipa
  • VOUCH-90-110 $1,324–$1,618
  • FY-2026 FY2026

Photo-finish peer: Anchorage Municipality ($228 1BR gap)

Read with: Understanding rent burden

Fair Market Rents (2026)

Studio
State avg: $1,061 · US avg: $893
$1,331/mo
↑ 3.2% YoY +25% vs state +49% vs US
1 Bedroom
State avg: $1,194 · US avg: $959
$1,471/mo
↑ 2.6% YoY +23% vs state +53% vs US
2 Bedroom
State avg: $1,467 · US avg: $1,175
$1,930/mo
↑ 2.6% YoY +32% vs state +64% vs US
3 Bedroom
State avg: $1,941 · US avg: $1,525
$2,547/mo
↓ 0.5% YoY +31% vs state +67% vs US
4 Bedroom
State avg: $2,304 · US avg: $1,756
$2,676/mo
↓ 10.0% YoY +16% vs state +52% vs US

Year-over-Year Comparison

Bedrooms FY 2025 FY 2026 Change
Studio $1,290
$1,331
+$41 (+3.2%)
1 Bedroom $1,434
$1,471
+$37 (+2.6%)
2 Bedroom $1,881
$1,930
+$49 (+2.6%)
3 Bedroom $2,560
$2,547
$-13 (-0.5%)
4 Bedroom $2,973
$2,676
$-297 (-10.0%)

Rent Burden Analysis

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

Studio
19.6%
Affordable
Need $53,240/yr for 30% rule
1 Bedroom
21.7%
Affordable
Need $58,840/yr for 30% rule
2 Bedroom
28.5%
Affordable
Need $77,200/yr for 30% rule
3 Bedroom
37.6%
Burdened
Need $101,880/yr for 30% rule
4 Bedroom
39.5%
Burdened
Need $107,040/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%28.5%
Northwest Arctic Borough 2-bedroom rent burden
County median income: $81,298 · National avg burden: 21.7% ·View Alaska rent burden →

Where Northwest Arctic sits among every US county

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

$1,930 Top 5% higher than 95% 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%). Below this entry. $1,800–$2,000: 108 counties (3%). This entry sits in this band. $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 Northwest Arctic compares on 1-bedroom rent

1-bedroom FMR vs other Alaska counties

1BR FMR / mo

What this shows Northwest Arctic is highlighted. Nearby Alaska counties by 1-bedroom FMR, highest to lowest: Bethel Census Area ($1,719), Northwest Arctic Borough (this county) ($1,471), Juneau City and Borough ($1,340), Fairbanks North Star Borough ($1,277), Anchorage Municipality ($1,243), 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?

Against a high local FMR of $1,471/mo, which of 15 common occupations still clear the 30% line using Alaska BLS wages?

Occupation AK Salary Rent Burden Verdict
General & Operations Managers $120,470 14.7% Affordable
Software Developers $119,600 14.8% Affordable
Registered Nurses $110,690 15.9% Affordable
Police & Sheriff's Patrol Officers $100,300 17.6% Affordable
Accountants & Auditors $81,950 21.5% Affordable
Electricians $81,860 21.6% Affordable
Elementary School Teachers $76,290 23.1% Affordable
Heavy & Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $64,890 27.2% Affordable
Paralegals & Legal Assistants $61,120 28.9% Affordable
Pharmacy Technicians $50,440 35% Stretched
Customer Service Representatives $44,760 39.4% Stretched
Janitors & Cleaners $39,040 45.2% Stretched
Retail Salespersons $36,940 47.8% Stretched
Fast Food & Counter Workers $34,430 51.3% Unaffordable
Teaching Assistants $30,560 57.8% Unaffordable
Salaries: BLS OES (Alaska) median · 30% = affordable threshold · Try the salary calculator →

Rent Trends (2020–2026)

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

Over the 6-year span HUD has tracked for Northwest Arctic (FY 2020-2026), the 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent has risen 21.3% overall, from $1,213 to $1,471. Most of that movement was gradual except for a single sharp jump of +12.6% in FY 2023, well above this county's typical year-to-year change.

$1,100$1,200$1,300$1,400$1,500 FY2020FY2021FY2022FY2023FY2024FY2025FY2026 $1,471
Northwest Arctic Borough 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent, FY2020–FY2026
Year Studio 1 BR 2 BR
FY 2026 ↑2.6% $1,331 $1,471 $1,930
FY 2025 ↑0.0% $1,290 $1,434 $1,881
FY 2024 ↑9.7% $1,277 $1,434 $1,884
FY 2023 ↑12.6% $1,150 $1,307 $1,720
FY 2022 ↑3.5% $1,015 $1,161 $1,528
FY 2021 ↓7.5% $1,115 $1,122 $1,385
FY 2020 $1,205 $1,213 $1,412
Total change (6yr): +21.3%
Annualized: +3.3%/yr
1 BR: $1,213 → $1,471

Where Northwest Arctic Borough Ranks in Alaska

Northwest Arctic 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 #27 of 30 counties in Alaska. Nearest by rank: North Slope Borough ($1,625), Anchorage Municipality ($1,631), Skagway Municipality ($1,644), Fairbanks North Star Borough ($1,676), Juneau City and Borough ($1,758), Northwest Arctic Borough (this county) ($1,930), Bethel Census Area ($1,938), Kodiak Island Borough ($2,075), Aleutians West Census Area ($2,191).

North Slope Borough
2 BR: $1,625/mo
Anchorage Municipality
2 BR: $1,631/mo
Skagway Municipality
2 BR: $1,644/mo
Fairbanks North Star Borough
2 BR: $1,676/mo
Juneau City and Borough
2 BR: $1,758/mo
Northwest Arctic Borough (this county)
2 BR: $1,930/mo
Bethel Census Area
2 BR: $1,938/mo
Kodiak Island Borough
2 BR: $2,075/mo
Aleutians West Census Area
2 BR: $2,191/mo

Nationwide peers by 2BR FMR & rent burden

Two PlainRent-derived comparison paths for Northwest Arctic 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).

Dallas County
TX · 2 BR $1,931/mo
Collin County
TX · 2 BR $1,931/mo
Denton County
TX · 2 BR $1,931/mo
Ellis County
TX · 2 BR $1,931/mo

Similar rent burden

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

Wheatland County
MT · 28.5% of income · 2 BR $1,117/mo
Norton city
VA · 28.5% of income · 2 BR $914/mo
Todd County
SD · 28.5% of income · 2 BR $929/mo
Seminole County
FL · 28.5% of income · 2 BR $1,972/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
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
View all counties in Alaska →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average rent in Northwest Arctic Borough? ▼
The FY 2026 Fair Market Rent for a 1-bedroom in Northwest Arctic Borough is $1,471 per month. A 2-bedroom is $1,930 and a studio is $1,331.
How does Northwest Arctic Borough rent compare to the national average? ▼
Rent in Northwest Arctic Borough is 53% above the national average. A 1-bedroom here costs $1,471 compared to $959 nationally.
Where does Northwest Arctic Borough rank nationally for Fair Market Rent? ▼
According to HUD's FY 2026 Fair Market Rent schedule, Northwest Arctic Borough's 2-bedroom FMR of $1,930 ranks #157 most expensive among 3,145 HUD counties, placing it in the highest-rent tenth of HUD counties.
What income do I need to afford rent in Northwest Arctic Borough? ▼
Based on the 30% affordability rule, you need an annual income of at least $58,840 ($4,903/month) to afford a 1-bedroom at Fair Market Rent in Northwest Arctic Borough.
Is rent going up or down in Northwest Arctic Borough? ▼
The 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent in Northwest Arctic Borough increased by 2.6% from FY 2025 to FY 2026, going from $1,434 to $1,471.
Which jobs can afford rent in Northwest Arctic 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 $1,471/mo. 9 of 15 common occupations are affordable here.
How much has rent changed in Northwest Arctic Borough over time? ▼
The 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent in Northwest Arctic Borough went from $1,213 in FY 2020 to $1,471 in FY 2026, a total change of +21.3% over 6 years.
How does Fair Market Rent affect Section 8 vouchers in Northwest Arctic Borough? ▼
In Northwest Arctic Borough, the FY 2026 FMR of $1,471/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 Northwest Arctic Borough? ▼
For Northwest Arctic Borough, it's the specific 40th-percentile rent HUD publishes each year ($1,471/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.