County FMR · HUD FY2026

Powder River County Fair Market Rent

HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent for Powder River County, MT - 17% below the US average.

$800
1-bedroom FMR
$1,025
2-bedroom FMR
+11.6%
YoY change
-17%
vs US avg

The verdict

Powder River is the 3rd cheapest of 56 counties in Montana by 2-bedroom FMR; nationally it ranks #1,573 most expensive of 3,145 HUD counties; rent here has climbed 11.6% since FY 2025, a sharp move relative to most counties.

#1,573
most expensive of 3,145 US counties (2BR)
#3
cheapest of 56 in Montana (2BR)
-26%
vs the state average
$32,000
income to afford it (30% rule)

Software Developers spend the smallest share of income on rent here (9.6%), while Fast Food and Counter Workers spend the most (32.8%); 14 of 15 common occupations here can afford a 1-bedroom at Fair Market Rent without exceeding the 30% threshold; 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 Powder River County, MT. Verify with HUD →

HUD sets the FY 2026 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent for Powder River County, Montana at $800 per month - the federal rental-assistance benchmark for this county. A 2-bedroom costs $1,025/mo and a studio is $768/mo. This is 17% lower than the national average of $959 and 26% below the Montana average of $1,076.

Rent increased11.6% from FY 2025 ($717), outpacing inflation. The 30% affordability floor is comparatively reachable here at $32,000/year.

Observed renter burden: 1.3% of the 160 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: 1,773.

FMR filing desk

Area POWDER·RIVER·COUNTY·MT·MT

Powder River County, MT: $800/mo 1BR · #1573 of 3145 counties (2BR) · FY2026

  • FMR-AREA MT
  • 1BR-FMR $800
  • 2BR-FMR $1,025
  • RANK-MID #1,573
  • YOY-SURGE +11.6%
  • VSUS-BELOW -17%
  • VS-ST-LOW -26% MT
  • INC-ROOM 14%
  • POP-SMALL 2K
  • PHOTO-NEAR Yellowstone County
  • VOUCH-90-110 $720–$880
  • FY-2026 FY2026

Photo-finish peer: Yellowstone ($309 1BR gap)

Read with: Section 8 housing guide

Fair Market Rents (2026)

Studio
State avg: $988 · US avg: $893
$768/mo
↑ 12.3% YoY -22% vs state -14% vs US
1 Bedroom
State avg: $1,076 · US avg: $959
$800/mo
↑ 11.6% YoY -26% vs state -17% vs US
2 Bedroom
State avg: $1,336 · US avg: $1,175
$1,025/mo
↑ 9.9% YoY -23% vs state -13% vs US
3 Bedroom
State avg: $1,789 · US avg: $1,525
$1,426/mo
↑ 9.1% YoY -20% vs state -6% vs US
4 Bedroom
State avg: $2,113 · US avg: $1,756
$1,657/mo
↑ 11.3% YoY -22% vs state -6% vs US

Year-over-Year Comparison

Bedrooms FY 2025 FY 2026 Change
Studio $684
$768
+$84 (+12.3%)
1 Bedroom $717
$800
+$83 (+11.6%)
2 Bedroom $933
$1,025
+$92 (+9.9%)
3 Bedroom $1,307
$1,426
+$119 (+9.1%)
4 Bedroom $1,489
$1,657
+$168 (+11.3%)

Rent Burden Analysis

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

Studio
13.6%
Affordable
Need $30,720/yr for 30% rule
1 Bedroom
14.1%
Affordable
Need $32,000/yr for 30% rule
2 Bedroom
18.1%
Affordable
Need $41,000/yr for 30% rule
3 Bedroom
25.2%
Affordable
Need $57,040/yr for 30% rule
4 Bedroom
29.2%
Affordable
Need $66,280/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%18.1%
Powder River County 2-bedroom rent burden
County median income: $68,009 · National avg burden: 21.7% ·View Montana rent burden →

Where Powder River sits among every US county

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

$1,025 higher than 50% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $1,200–$1,400: 417 counties (13%). Above this entry. $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 Powder River compares on 1-bedroom rent

1-bedroom FMR vs other Montana counties

1BR FMR / mo

What this shows Powder River 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), Yellowstone County ($1,109), Cascade County ($979), Powder River County (this county) ($800).

Source U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) As of FY2026

Can Common Jobs Afford Rent Here?

With a below-average 1-bedroom at $800/mo, most of these Montana occupations clear, or miss, the 30% affordability line.

Occupation MT Salary Rent Burden Verdict
Software Developers $100,190 9.6% Affordable
General & Operations Managers $85,240 11.3% Affordable
Registered Nurses $81,560 11.8% Affordable
Accountants & Auditors $74,400 12.9% Affordable
Police & Sheriff's Patrol Officers $69,910 13.7% Affordable
Electricians $68,980 13.9% Affordable
Heavy & Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $59,060 16.3% Affordable
Elementary School Teachers $56,200 17.1% Affordable
Paralegals & Legal Assistants $54,230 17.7% Affordable
Pharmacy Technicians $46,980 20.4% Affordable
Customer Service Representatives $43,820 21.9% Affordable
Janitors & Cleaners $37,390 25.7% Affordable
Retail Salespersons $35,000 27.4% Affordable
Teaching Assistants $33,720 28.5% Affordable
Fast Food & Counter Workers $29,280 32.8% Stretched
Salaries: BLS OES (Montana) median · 30% = affordable threshold · Try the salary calculator →

Rent Trends (2020–2026)

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

Over the 6-year span HUD has tracked for Powder River (FY 2020-2026), the 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent has risen 47.1% overall, from $544 to $800. The increases have been fairly steady year to year, with no single jump exceeding 11.6% (FY 2026).

$500$600$700$800$900 FY2020FY2021FY2022FY2023FY2024FY2025FY2026 $800
Powder River County 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent, FY2020–FY2026
Year Studio 1 BR 2 BR
FY 2026 ↑11.6% $768 $800 $1,025
FY 2025 ↑4.1% $684 $717 $933
FY 2024 ↑9.7% $658 $689 $905
FY 2023 ↑9.2% $596 $628 $826
FY 2022 ↑3.2% $535 $575 $757
FY 2021 ↑2.4% $514 $557 $734
FY 2020 $494 $544 $716
Total change (6yr): +47.1%
Annualized: +6.6%/yr
1 BR: $544 → $800

Where Powder River County Ranks in Montana

Powder River 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 #3 of 56 counties in Montana. Nearest by rank: Phillips County ($973), Daniels County ($1,023), Powder River County (this county) ($1,025), Liberty County ($1,034), Granite County ($1,053), Beaverhead County ($1,072), Deer Lodge County ($1,080), Garfield County ($1,099), Sanders County ($1,115), Wheatland County ($1,117).

Phillips County
2 BR: $973/mo
Daniels County
2 BR: $1,023/mo
Powder River County (this county)
2 BR: $1,025/mo
Liberty County
2 BR: $1,034/mo
Granite County
2 BR: $1,053/mo
Beaverhead County
2 BR: $1,072/mo
Deer Lodge County
2 BR: $1,080/mo
Garfield County
2 BR: $1,099/mo
Sanders County
2 BR: $1,115/mo
Wheatland County
2 BR: $1,117/mo

Nationwide peers by 2BR FMR & rent burden

Two PlainRent-derived comparison paths for Powder River 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).

Wilson County
NC · 2 BR $1,025/mo
Ouachita Parish
LA · 2 BR $1,026/mo
Dunn County
WI · 2 BR $1,024/mo
Jefferson County
IL · 2 BR $1,026/mo

Similar rent burden

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

Iberville Parish
LA · 18.1% of income · 2 BR $866/mo
Utah County
UT · 18.1% of income · 2 BR $1,460/mo
Ford County
IL · 18.1% of income · 2 BR $916/mo
Franklin County
AL · 18.1% of income · 2 BR $776/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 Powder River County? ▼
The FY 2026 Fair Market Rent for a 1-bedroom in Powder River County is $800 per month. A 2-bedroom is $1,025 and a studio is $768.
How does Powder River County rent compare to the national average? ▼
Rent in Powder River County is 17% below the national average. A 1-bedroom here costs $800 compared to $959 nationally.
Where does Powder River County rank nationally for Fair Market Rent? ▼
According to HUD's FY 2026 Fair Market Rent schedule, Powder River County's 2-bedroom FMR of $1,025 ranks #1,573 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 Powder River County? ▼
Based on the 30% affordability rule, you need an annual income of at least $32,000 ($2,667/month) to afford a 1-bedroom at Fair Market Rent in Powder River County.
Is rent going up or down in Powder River County? ▼
The 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent in Powder River County increased by 11.6% from FY 2025 to FY 2026, going from $717 to $800.
Which jobs can afford rent in Powder River 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 $800/mo. 14 of 15 common occupations are affordable here.
How much has rent changed in Powder River County over time? ▼
The 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent in Powder River County went from $544 in FY 2020 to $800 in FY 2026, a total change of +47.1% over 6 years.
How does Fair Market Rent affect Section 8 vouchers in Powder River County? ▼
In Powder River County, the FY 2026 FMR of $800/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 Powder River County? ▼
For Powder River County, it's the specific 40th-percentile rent HUD publishes each year ($800/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.