County FMR · HUD FY2026

Pondera County Fair Market Rent

HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent for Pondera County, MT - 19% above the US average.

$1,144
1-bedroom FMR
$1,254
2-bedroom FMR
+22.4%
YoY change
+19%
vs US avg

The verdict

Pondera is the 23rd cheapest of 56 counties in Montana by 2-bedroom FMR; nationally it ranks #881 most expensive of 3,145 HUD counties; rent here has climbed 22.4% since FY 2025, a sharp move relative to most counties.

#881
most expensive of 3,145 US counties (2BR)
#23
cheapest of 56 in Montana (2BR)
+6%
vs the state average
$45,760
income to afford it (30% rule)

Software Developers spend the smallest share of income on rent here (13.7%), while Fast Food and Counter Workers spend the most (46.9%); 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 Pondera County, MT. Verify with HUD →

Pondera County, Montana carries an FY 2026 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent of $1,144 per month, the federal benchmark HUD publishes for this county. A 2-bedroom costs $1,254/mo and a studio is $940/mo. That's 19% above the national benchmark of $959 and 6% above the Montana average of $1,076.

Rent increased22.4% from FY 2025 ($935), outpacing inflation. A household needs about $45,760/year to stay under the 30% rent-to-income line.

Observed renter burden: 25.2% of the 747 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 Montana. Population: 5,987. Population has held roughly steady over the past five years (-0.5%, Census ACS). That's slower than Montana's statewide growth of +6.1% over the same period.

FMR filing desk

Area PONDERA·COUNTY·MT·MT

Pondera County, MT: $1,144/mo 1BR · #881 of 3145 counties (2BR) · FY2026

  • FMR-AREA MT
  • 1BR-FMR $1,144
  • 2BR-FMR $1,254
  • RANK-MID #881
  • YOY-SURGE +22.4%
  • VSUS-ABOVE +19%
  • VS-ST-NEAR +6% MT
  • INC-MID 26%
  • POP-SMALL 6K
  • PHOTO-NEAR Yellowstone County
  • VOUCH-90-110 $1,030–$1,258
  • FY-2026 FY2026

Photo-finish peer: Yellowstone ($35 1BR gap)

Read with: Understanding rent burden

Fair Market Rents (2026)

Studio
State avg: $988 · US avg: $893
$940/mo
↑ 23.8% YoY -5% vs state +5% vs US
1 Bedroom
State avg: $1,076 · US avg: $959
$1,144/mo
↑ 22.4% YoY +6% vs state +19% vs US
2 Bedroom
State avg: $1,336 · US avg: $1,175
$1,254/mo
↑ 21.2% YoY -6% vs state +7% vs US
3 Bedroom
State avg: $1,789 · US avg: $1,525
$1,619/mo
↑ 22.7% YoY -10% vs state +6% vs US
4 Bedroom
State avg: $2,113 · US avg: $1,756
$1,892/mo
↑ 16.6% YoY -10% vs state +8% vs US

Year-over-Year Comparison

Bedrooms FY 2025 FY 2026 Change
Studio $759
$940
+$181 (+23.8%)
1 Bedroom $935
$1,144
+$209 (+22.4%)
2 Bedroom $1,035
$1,254
+$219 (+21.2%)
3 Bedroom $1,320
$1,619
+$299 (+22.7%)
4 Bedroom $1,622
$1,892
+$270 (+16.6%)

Rent Burden Analysis

How much of household income goes to rent in Pondera County. The 30% threshold indicates cost burden.

Studio
21.1%
Affordable
Need $37,600/yr for 30% rule
1 Bedroom
25.7%
Affordable
Need $45,760/yr for 30% rule
2 Bedroom
28.1%
Affordable
Need $50,160/yr for 30% rule
3 Bedroom
36.3%
Burdened
Need $64,760/yr for 30% rule
4 Bedroom
42.4%
Burdened
Need $75,680/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%28.1%
Pondera County 2-bedroom rent burden
County median income: $53,500 · National avg burden: 21.7% ·View Montana rent burden →

Where Pondera sits among every US county

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

$1,254 Top 28% higher than 72% 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 Pondera compares on 1-bedroom rent

1-bedroom FMR vs other Montana counties

1BR FMR / mo

What this shows Pondera is highlighted. Nearby Montana counties by 1-bedroom FMR, highest to lowest: Gallatin County ($1,642), Missoula County ($1,400), Lewis and Clark County ($1,319), Flathead County ($1,289), Pondera County (this county) ($1,144), Yellowstone County ($1,109), Cascade County ($979).

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 $1,144/mo, which of 15 common occupations still clear the 30% line using Montana BLS wages?

Occupation MT Salary Rent Burden Verdict
Software Developers $100,190 13.7% Affordable
General & Operations Managers $85,240 16.1% Affordable
Registered Nurses $81,560 16.8% Affordable
Accountants & Auditors $74,400 18.5% Affordable
Police & Sheriff's Patrol Officers $69,910 19.6% Affordable
Electricians $68,980 19.9% Affordable
Heavy & Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $59,060 23.2% Affordable
Elementary School Teachers $56,200 24.4% Affordable
Paralegals & Legal Assistants $54,230 25.3% Affordable
Pharmacy Technicians $46,980 29.2% Affordable
Customer Service Representatives $43,820 31.3% Stretched
Janitors & Cleaners $37,390 36.7% Stretched
Retail Salespersons $35,000 39.2% Stretched
Teaching Assistants $33,720 40.7% Stretched
Fast Food & Counter Workers $29,280 46.9% Stretched
Salaries: BLS OES (Montana) median · 30% = affordable threshold · Try the salary calculator →

Rent Trends (2020–2026)

7-year Fair Market Rent history for Pondera County. Shows how HUD rental rates have changed over time.

Over the 6-year span HUD has tracked for Pondera (FY 2020-2026), the 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent has risen 89.7% overall, from $603 to $1,144. Most of that movement was gradual except for a single sharp jump of +22.4% in FY 2026, well above this county's typical year-to-year change.

$400$600$800$1,000$1,200 FY2020FY2021FY2022FY2023FY2024FY2025FY2026 $1,144
Pondera County 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent, FY2020–FY2026
Year Studio 1 BR 2 BR
FY 2026 ↑22.4% $940 $1,144 $1,254
FY 2025 ↑16.0% $759 $935 $1,035
FY 2024 ↑10.3% $658 $806 $905
FY 2023 ↑10.1% $596 $731 $826
FY 2022 ↑4.4% $535 $664 $757
FY 2021 ↑5.5% $514 $636 $734
FY 2020 $492 $603 $714
Total change (6yr): +89.7%
Annualized: +11.3%/yr
1 BR: $603 → $1,144

Where Pondera County Ranks in Montana

Pondera County 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 #23 of 56 counties in Montana. Nearest by rank: Rosebud County ($1,186), Valley County ($1,200), Roosevelt County ($1,201), Sheridan County ($1,211), Toole County ($1,230), Carter County ($1,244), Dawson County ($1,254), Pondera County (this county) ($1,254), Stillwater County ($1,257), Glacier County ($1,275), Cascade County ($1,284), Big Horn County ($1,302), Chouteau County ($1,307), Hill County ($1,307), Richland County ($1,312).

Rosebud County
2 BR: $1,186/mo
Valley County
2 BR: $1,200/mo
Roosevelt County
2 BR: $1,201/mo
Sheridan County
2 BR: $1,211/mo
Toole County
2 BR: $1,230/mo
Carter County
2 BR: $1,244/mo
Dawson County
2 BR: $1,254/mo
Pondera County (this county)
2 BR: $1,254/mo
Stillwater County
2 BR: $1,257/mo
Glacier County
2 BR: $1,275/mo
Cascade County
2 BR: $1,284/mo
Big Horn County
2 BR: $1,302/mo
Chouteau County
2 BR: $1,307/mo
Hill County
2 BR: $1,307/mo
Richland County
2 BR: $1,312/mo

Nationwide peers by 2BR FMR & rent burden

Two PlainRent-derived comparison paths for Pondera County, both outside Montana 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 MT (FY2026).

Roanoke city
VA · 2 BR $1,254/mo
Roanoke County
VA · 2 BR $1,254/mo
Botetourt County
VA · 2 BR $1,254/mo
Salem city
VA · 2 BR $1,254/mo

Similar rent burden

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

Wilkinson County
MS · 28.1% of income · 2 BR $842/mo
DeKalb County
GA · 28.1% of income · 2 BR $1,820/mo
Marion County
FL · 28.1% of income · 2 BR $1,373/mo
Crittenden County
AR · 28.2% of income · 2 BR $1,274/mo

Nearby Counties in Montana

Largest counties by population in Montana

Showing the 8 largest of 55 other counties in Montana.

Yellowstone County
1 BR: $1,109/mo Pop: 165,524
Gallatin County
1 BR: $1,642/mo Pop: 119,685
Missoula County
1 BR: $1,400/mo Pop: 118,541
Flathead County
1 BR: $1,289/mo Pop: 105,950
Cascade County
1 BR: $979/mo Pop: 84,423
Lewis and Clark County
1 BR: $1,319/mo Pop: 71,487
Ravalli County
1 BR: $1,145/mo Pop: 44,876
Silver Bow County
1 BR: $1,149/mo Pop: 35,306
View all counties in Montana →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average rent in Pondera County? ▼
The FY 2026 Fair Market Rent for a 1-bedroom in Pondera County is $1,144 per month. A 2-bedroom is $1,254 and a studio is $940.
How does Pondera County rent compare to the national average? ▼
Rent in Pondera County is 19% above the national average. A 1-bedroom here costs $1,144 compared to $959 nationally.
Where does Pondera County rank nationally for Fair Market Rent? ▼
According to HUD's FY 2026 Fair Market Rent schedule, Pondera County's 2-bedroom FMR of $1,254 ranks #881 most expensive among 3,145 HUD counties, placing it in the middle half of HUD counties.
What income do I need to afford rent in Pondera County? ▼
Based on the 30% affordability rule, you need an annual income of at least $45,760 ($3,813/month) to afford a 1-bedroom at Fair Market Rent in Pondera County.
Is rent going up or down in Pondera County? ▼
The 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent in Pondera County increased by 22.4% from FY 2025 to FY 2026, going from $935 to $1,144.
Which jobs can afford rent in Pondera County? ▼
Based on Montana BLS salary data and the 30% affordability rule, jobs like Software Developers, General and Operations Managers, Registered Nurses can afford a 1-bedroom at $1,144/mo. 10 of 15 common occupations are affordable here.
How much has rent changed in Pondera County over time? ▼
The 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent in Pondera County went from $603 in FY 2020 to $1,144 in FY 2026, a total change of +89.7% over 6 years.
How does Fair Market Rent affect Section 8 vouchers in Pondera County? ▼
In Pondera County, the FY 2026 FMR of $1,144/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 Pondera County? ▼
For Pondera County, it's the specific 40th-percentile rent HUD publishes each year ($1,144/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.