Rental Benchmark Overview
2-Bedroom Benchmark Rent
$1,647$19,764 per year · HUD Fiscal Year 2026Fair market rent & 30% rule in Lewis and Clark County, MT
Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.
Fair Market Rent Schedule & Wage Requirements: Lewis and Clark 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.
| Bedroom Type | Monthly Rent | Annual Rent | Min. Annual Income | Hourly Wage (40h/wk) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / Efficiency | $1,136 | $13,632 | $45,440 | $21.85/hr |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $1,319 | $15,828 | $52,760 | $25.37/hr |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentStandard Benchmark | $1,647 | $19,764 | $65,880 | $31.67/hr |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $2,250 | $27,000 | $90,000 | $43.27/hr |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $2,496 | $29,952 | $99,840 | $48.00/hr |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Rent in Lewis and Clark County, MT
What is the Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom in Lewis and Clark County, MT?
For Fiscal Year 2026, the official HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom home in Lewis and Clark County, MT is $1,647 per month ($19,764 per year).
What hourly wage is needed to afford rent in Lewis and Clark County, MT?
To comfortably afford a 2-bedroom apartment at $1,647/month without exceeding 30% of income on rent, a full-time worker (40 hours/week, 52 weeks/year) must earn at least $31.67 per hour ($65,880/year).
What are the HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count in Lewis and Clark County, MT?
Official 2026 HUD rents in Lewis and Clark County, MT are: Studio: $1,136/mo, 1-Bedroom: $1,319/mo, 2-Bedroom: $1,647/mo, 3-Bedroom: $2,250/mo, and 4-Bedroom: $2,496/mo.
How do HUD Fair Market Rents compare to local incomes in Lewis and Clark County, MT?
At the local Census ACS median household income of $78,237/year ($6,520/month), the benchmark 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent represents 25.3% of monthly income.
How is the 30% housing affordability standard calculated in Lewis and Clark County, MT?
The federal 30% rule states that housing costs should not exceed 30% of gross household income. For a 2-bedroom rent of $1,647/month, the required minimum annual gross income is calculated as ($1,647 × 12) ÷ 0.30 = $65,880 per year.