Montana · HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rents

Rent in Chouteau County, MT

For Fiscal Year 2026, the official HUD Fair Market Rent for a benchmark 2-bedroom home in Chouteau County, MT is $1,307 per month ($15,684/year). Under the standard 30% federal housing rule, affording this rent comfortably requires an hourly wage of $25.13/hour ($52,280/year) for a full-time worker, representing 26.9% of the local median household income.

Rental Benchmark Overview

2-Bedroom Benchmark Rent

$1,307$15,684 per year · HUD Fiscal Year 2026
Studio FMR$980$19/hr needed
1-Bedroom FMR$996$19/hr needed
Housing Wage (2-BR)$25.13per hour · 40 hrs/wk, 52 wks
3-Bedroom FMR$1,662$32/hr needed

Fair market rent & 30% rule in Chouteau County, MT

Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,307Monthly market rent
Share of gross income26.9%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$52,280To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,455At 30% of $58,218
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
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Fair Market Rent Schedule & Wage Requirements: Chouteau County, MT

Calculations assume standard housing affordability guidelines where shelter costs consume no more than 30% of gross income, based on full-time employment of 2,080 annual working hours.

HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent Schedule and Income Thresholds for Chouteau County, MT
Bedroom TypeMonthly RentAnnual RentMin. Annual IncomeHourly Wage (40h/wk)
Studio / Efficiency$980$11,760$39,200$18.85/hr
1-Bedroom Apartment$996$11,952$39,840$19.15/hr
2-Bedroom ApartmentStandard Benchmark$1,307$15,684$52,280$25.13/hr
3-Bedroom Home$1,662$19,944$66,480$31.96/hr
4-Bedroom Home$1,950$23,400$78,000$37.50/hr

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Frequently Asked Questions About Rent in Chouteau County, MT

What is the Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom in Chouteau County, MT?

For Fiscal Year 2026, the official HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom home in Chouteau County, MT is $1,307 per month ($15,684 per year).

What hourly wage is needed to afford rent in Chouteau County, MT?

To comfortably afford a 2-bedroom apartment at $1,307/month without exceeding 30% of income on rent, a full-time worker (40 hours/week, 52 weeks/year) must earn at least $25.13 per hour ($52,280/year).

What are the HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count in Chouteau County, MT?

Official 2026 HUD rents in Chouteau County, MT are: Studio: $980/mo, 1-Bedroom: $996/mo, 2-Bedroom: $1,307/mo, 3-Bedroom: $1,662/mo, and 4-Bedroom: $1,950/mo.

How do HUD Fair Market Rents compare to local incomes in Chouteau County, MT?

At the local Census ACS median household income of $58,218/year ($4,852/month), the benchmark 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent represents 26.9% of monthly income.

How is the 30% housing affordability standard calculated in Chouteau County, MT?

The federal 30% rule states that housing costs should not exceed 30% of gross household income. For a 2-bedroom rent of $1,307/month, the required minimum annual gross income is calculated as ($1,307 × 12) ÷ 0.30 = $52,280 per year.