Montana · HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rents

Rent in Yellowstone County, MT

For Fiscal Year 2026, the official HUD Fair Market Rent for a benchmark 2-bedroom home in Yellowstone County, MT is $1,417 per month ($17,004/year). Under the standard 30% federal housing rule, affording this rent comfortably requires an hourly wage of $27.25/hour ($56,680/year) for a full-time worker, representing 22.2% of the local median household income.

Rental Benchmark Overview

2-Bedroom Benchmark Rent

$1,417$17,004 per year · HUD Fiscal Year 2026
Studio FMR$1,016$20/hr needed
1-Bedroom FMR$1,109$21/hr needed
Housing Wage (2-BR)$27.25per hour · 40 hrs/wk, 52 wks
3-Bedroom FMR$1,951$38/hr needed

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

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

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,417Monthly market rent
Share of gross income22.2%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$56,680To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,914At 30% of $76,570
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
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Fair Market Rent Schedule & Wage Requirements: Yellowstone 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 Yellowstone County, MT
Bedroom TypeMonthly RentAnnual RentMin. Annual IncomeHourly Wage (40h/wk)
Studio / Efficiency$1,016$12,192$40,640$19.54/hr
1-Bedroom Apartment$1,109$13,308$44,360$21.33/hr
2-Bedroom ApartmentStandard Benchmark$1,417$17,004$56,680$27.25/hr
3-Bedroom Home$1,951$23,412$78,040$37.52/hr
4-Bedroom Home$2,216$26,592$88,640$42.62/hr

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Frequently Asked Questions About Rent in Yellowstone County, MT

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

For Fiscal Year 2026, the official HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom home in Yellowstone County, MT is $1,417 per month ($17,004 per year).

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

To comfortably afford a 2-bedroom apartment at $1,417/month without exceeding 30% of income on rent, a full-time worker (40 hours/week, 52 weeks/year) must earn at least $27.25 per hour ($56,680/year).

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

Official 2026 HUD rents in Yellowstone County, MT are: Studio: $1,016/mo, 1-Bedroom: $1,109/mo, 2-Bedroom: $1,417/mo, 3-Bedroom: $1,951/mo, and 4-Bedroom: $2,216/mo.

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

At the local Census ACS median household income of $76,570/year ($6,381/month), the benchmark 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent represents 22.2% of monthly income.

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

The federal 30% rule states that housing costs should not exceed 30% of gross household income. For a 2-bedroom rent of $1,417/month, the required minimum annual gross income is calculated as ($1,417 × 12) ÷ 0.30 = $56,680 per year.