County FMR · HUD FY2026

Richland County Fair Market Rent

HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent for Richland County, MT - 25% above the US average.

$1,197
1-bedroom FMR
$1,312
2-bedroom FMR
+22.5%
YoY change
+25%
vs US avg

The verdict

Richland is the 27th most expensive of 56 counties in Montana by 2-bedroom FMR; nationally it ranks #723 most expensive of 3,145 HUD counties; rent here has climbed 22.5% since FY 2025, a sharp move relative to most counties.

#723
most expensive of 3,145 US counties (2BR)
#27
most expensive of 56 in Montana (2BR)
+11%
vs the state average
$47,880
income to afford it (30% rule)

Software Developers spend the smallest share of income on rent here (14.3%), while Fast Food and Counter Workers spend the most (49.1%); 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 Richland County, MT. Verify with HUD →

HUD sets the FY 2026 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent for Richland County, Montana at $1,197 per month - the federal rental-assistance benchmark for this county. A 2-bedroom costs $1,312/mo and a studio is $1,143/mo. This is 25% higher than the national average of $959 and 11% above the Montana average of $1,076.

Rent increased22.5% from FY 2025 ($977), outpacing inflation. A household needs about $47,880/year to stay under the 30% rent-to-income line.

Observed renter burden: 28.6% of the 1,359 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: 11,366. Population has held roughly steady over the past five years (-0.3%, Census ACS). That's slower than Montana's statewide growth of +6.1% over the same period.

FMR filing desk

Area RICHLAND·COUNTY·MT·MT

Richland County, MT: $1,197/mo 1BR · #723 of 3145 counties (2BR) · FY2026

  • FMR-AREA MT
  • 1BR-FMR $1,197
  • 2BR-FMR $1,312
  • RANK-MID #723
  • YOY-SURGE +22.5%
  • VSUS-ABOVE +25%
  • VS-ST-HIGH +11% MT
  • INC-MID 21%
  • POP-SMALL 11K
  • PHOTO-NEAR Yellowstone County
  • VOUCH-90-110 $1,077–$1,317
  • FY-2026 FY2026

Photo-finish peer: Yellowstone ($88 1BR gap)

Read with: Understanding rent burden

Fair Market Rents (2026)

Studio
State avg: $988 · US avg: $893
$1,143/mo
↑ 44.0% YoY +16% vs state +28% vs US
1 Bedroom
State avg: $1,076 · US avg: $959
$1,197/mo
↑ 22.5% YoY +11% vs state +25% vs US
2 Bedroom
State avg: $1,336 · US avg: $1,175
$1,312/mo
↑ 21.3% YoY -2% vs state +12% vs US
3 Bedroom
State avg: $1,789 · US avg: $1,525
$1,573/mo
↑ 20.6% YoY -12% vs state +3% vs US
4 Bedroom
State avg: $2,113 · US avg: $1,756
$2,201/mo
↑ 21.1% YoY +4% vs state +25% vs US

Year-over-Year Comparison

Bedrooms FY 2025 FY 2026 Change
Studio $794
$1,143
+$349 (+44.0%)
1 Bedroom $977
$1,197
+$220 (+22.5%)
2 Bedroom $1,082
$1,312
+$230 (+21.3%)
3 Bedroom $1,304
$1,573
+$269 (+20.6%)
4 Bedroom $1,817
$2,201
+$384 (+21.1%)

Rent Burden Analysis

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

Studio
19.7%
Affordable
Need $45,720/yr for 30% rule
1 Bedroom
20.6%
Affordable
Need $47,880/yr for 30% rule
2 Bedroom
22.6%
Affordable
Need $52,480/yr for 30% rule
3 Bedroom
27.1%
Affordable
Need $62,920/yr for 30% rule
4 Bedroom
38%
Burdened
Need $88,040/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%22.6%
Richland County 2-bedroom rent burden
County median income: $69,578 · National avg burden: 21.7% ·View Montana rent burden →

Where Richland sits among every US county

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

$1,312 Top 23% higher than 77% 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 Richland compares on 1-bedroom rent

1-bedroom FMR vs other Montana counties

1BR FMR / mo

What this shows Richland 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), Richland County (this county) ($1,197), 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 $1,197/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 14.3% Affordable
General & Operations Managers $85,240 16.9% Affordable
Registered Nurses $81,560 17.6% Affordable
Accountants & Auditors $74,400 19.3% Affordable
Police & Sheriff's Patrol Officers $69,910 20.5% Affordable
Electricians $68,980 20.8% Affordable
Heavy & Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $59,060 24.3% Affordable
Elementary School Teachers $56,200 25.6% Affordable
Paralegals & Legal Assistants $54,230 26.5% Affordable
Pharmacy Technicians $46,980 30.6% Stretched
Customer Service Representatives $43,820 32.8% Stretched
Janitors & Cleaners $37,390 38.4% Stretched
Retail Salespersons $35,000 41% Stretched
Teaching Assistants $33,720 42.6% Stretched
Fast Food & Counter Workers $29,280 49.1% Stretched
Salaries: BLS OES (Montana) median · 30% = affordable threshold · Try the salary calculator →

Rent Trends (2020–2026)

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

Over the 6-year span HUD has tracked for Richland (FY 2020-2026), the 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent has risen 60.5% overall, from $746 to $1,197. The path there hasn't been smooth: year-over-year moves have swung by as much as 22.9% (FY 2025), a volatility pattern that makes single-year comparisons a poor guide to the underlying trend.

$600$800$1,000$1,200$1,400 FY2020FY2021FY2022FY2023FY2024FY2025FY2026 $1,197
Richland County 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent, FY2020–FY2026
Year Studio 1 BR 2 BR
FY 2026 ↑22.5% $1,143 $1,197 $1,312
FY 2025 ↑22.9% $794 $977 $1,082
FY 2024 ↑13.7% $658 $795 $905
FY 2023 ↑3.4% $663 $699 $920
FY 2022 ↓7.1% $628 $676 $890
FY 2021 ↓2.4% $672 $728 $960
FY 2020 $677 $746 $982
Total change (6yr): +60.5%
Annualized: +8.2%/yr
1 BR: $746 → $1,197

Where Richland County Ranks in Montana

Richland 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 #30 of 56 counties in Montana. Nearest by rank: Pondera 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 (this county) ($1,312), Golden Valley County ($1,339), Musselshell County ($1,344), Teton County ($1,360), Mineral County ($1,361), Meagher County ($1,393), Fallon County ($1,401), Jefferson County ($1,404).

Pondera 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 (this county)
2 BR: $1,312/mo
Golden Valley County
2 BR: $1,339/mo
Musselshell County
2 BR: $1,344/mo
Teton County
2 BR: $1,360/mo
Mineral County
2 BR: $1,361/mo
Meagher County
2 BR: $1,393/mo
Fallon County
2 BR: $1,401/mo
Jefferson County
2 BR: $1,404/mo

Nationwide peers by 2BR FMR & rent burden

Two PlainRent-derived comparison paths for Richland 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).

Kenai Peninsula Borough
AK · 2 BR $1,312/mo
Humboldt County
NV · 2 BR $1,312/mo
Southeast Fairbanks Census Area
AK · 2 BR $1,313/mo
Madison County
AL · 2 BR $1,310/mo

Similar rent burden

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

McDonough County
IL · 22.6% of income · 2 BR $951/mo
Cheyenne County
NE · 22.6% of income · 2 BR $1,086/mo
Wrangell City and Borough
AK · 22.6% of income · 2 BR $1,217/mo
Pike County
PA · 22.6% of income · 2 BR $1,496/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 Richland County? ▼
The FY 2026 Fair Market Rent for a 1-bedroom in Richland County is $1,197 per month. A 2-bedroom is $1,312 and a studio is $1,143.
How does Richland County rent compare to the national average? ▼
Rent in Richland County is 25% above the national average. A 1-bedroom here costs $1,197 compared to $959 nationally.
Where does Richland County rank nationally for Fair Market Rent? ▼
According to HUD's FY 2026 Fair Market Rent schedule, Richland County's 2-bedroom FMR of $1,312 ranks #723 most expensive among 3,145 HUD counties, placing it in the upper-rent quarter of HUD counties.
What income do I need to afford rent in Richland County? ▼
Based on the 30% affordability rule, you need an annual income of at least $47,880 ($3,990/month) to afford a 1-bedroom at Fair Market Rent in Richland County.
Is rent going up or down in Richland County? ▼
The 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent in Richland County increased by 22.5% from FY 2025 to FY 2026, going from $977 to $1,197.
Which jobs can afford rent in Richland 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 $1,197/mo. 9 of 15 common occupations are affordable here.
How much has rent changed in Richland County over time? ▼
The 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent in Richland County went from $746 in FY 2020 to $1,197 in FY 2026, a total change of +60.5% over 6 years.
How does Fair Market Rent affect Section 8 vouchers in Richland County? ▼
In Richland County, the FY 2026 FMR of $1,197/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 Richland County? ▼
For Richland County, it's the specific 40th-percentile rent HUD publishes each year ($1,197/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.