Montana · HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rents

Rent in Pondera County, MT

For Fiscal Year 2026, the official HUD Fair Market Rent for a benchmark 2-bedroom home in Pondera County, MT is $1,254 per month ($15,048/year). Under the standard 30% federal housing rule, affording this rent comfortably requires an hourly wage of $24.12/hour ($50,160/year) for a full-time worker, representing 28.8% of the local median household income.

Rental Benchmark Overview

2-Bedroom Benchmark Rent

$1,254$15,048 per year · HUD Fiscal Year 2026
Studio FMR$940$18/hr needed
1-Bedroom FMR$1,144$22/hr needed
Housing Wage (2-BR)$24.12per hour · 40 hrs/wk, 52 wks
3-Bedroom FMR$1,619$31/hr needed

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

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

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,254Monthly market rent
Share of gross income28.8%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$50,160To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,308At 30% of $52,338
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
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Fair Market Rent Schedule & Wage Requirements: Pondera 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 Pondera County, MT
Bedroom TypeMonthly RentAnnual RentMin. Annual IncomeHourly Wage (40h/wk)
Studio / Efficiency$940$11,280$37,600$18.08/hr
1-Bedroom Apartment$1,144$13,728$45,760$22.00/hr
2-Bedroom ApartmentStandard Benchmark$1,254$15,048$50,160$24.12/hr
3-Bedroom Home$1,619$19,428$64,760$31.13/hr
4-Bedroom Home$1,892$22,704$75,680$36.38/hr

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Frequently Asked Questions About Rent in Pondera County, MT

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

For Fiscal Year 2026, the official HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom home in Pondera County, MT is $1,254 per month ($15,048 per year).

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

To comfortably afford a 2-bedroom apartment at $1,254/month without exceeding 30% of income on rent, a full-time worker (40 hours/week, 52 weeks/year) must earn at least $24.12 per hour ($50,160/year).

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

Official 2026 HUD rents in Pondera County, MT are: Studio: $940/mo, 1-Bedroom: $1,144/mo, 2-Bedroom: $1,254/mo, 3-Bedroom: $1,619/mo, and 4-Bedroom: $1,892/mo.

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

At the local Census ACS median household income of $52,338/year ($4,362/month), the benchmark 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent represents 28.8% of monthly income.

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

The federal 30% rule states that housing costs should not exceed 30% of gross household income. For a 2-bedroom rent of $1,254/month, the required minimum annual gross income is calculated as ($1,254 × 12) ÷ 0.30 = $50,160 per year.