Renting · Section 8
Data from November 2026
Renting in Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska
Fairbanks North Star Borough has a HUD fair market rent of $1,553 a month for 2 bedrooms (Fiscal year 2027). Renter households here pay a typical rent of $1,459 a month (Average 2020–2024). Paying the fair market rent without going over 30% of income takes $29.87 an hour, full time.
Four numbers to start with
- Fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
- $1,553
- a month, HUD, Fiscal year 2027
- 2% more than in Alaska
- Typical rent
- $1,459
- a month, Census, Average 2020–2024
- 3% more than in Alaska
- Wage needed
- $29.87
- an hour, 2 bedrooms
- Or $62,120 a year, to spend no more than 30% of income on rent.
- Rent-burdened households
- 46%
- spend 30% or more of income on rent
- 3% more than in Alaska
Only here
Renting in Fairbanks North Star Borough: what sets it apart
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
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Among the neighboring boroughs, Denali Borough has the lowest typical rent ($825), 43% below the $1,459 in Fairbanks North Star Borough.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).
Fair market rent
What HUD sets for each size
Every year HUD (the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) publishes a Fair Market Rent (FMR) for each home size in Fairbanks North Star Borough. It is used to work out how much a Section 8 voucher covers. The table shows what you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income.
The fair market rent covers rent plus basic utilities, except the phone. HUD generally sets it at the 40th percentile: 4 in 10 standard-quality homes rented recently cost less. 24 CFR §888.113(a)
According to Zillow (ZORI), the typical asking rent in Fairbanks North Star Borough was $1,839 a month in September 2026: 4.7% more than 12 months ago. It is an index of market listings, not a HUD limit. Zillow data
| Size | Fair rent per month | Hourly wage | Income needed per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,081 | $20.79 | $43,240 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,187 | $22.83 | $47,480 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,553 | $29.87 | $62,120 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,150 | $41.35 | $86,000 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,596 | $49.92 | $103,840 |
HUD area: Fairbanks-College, AK MSA. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027
By ZIP code
The fair market rent for your ZIP code
HUD also publishes fair market rents by ZIP code (Small Area FMRs) for 9 ZIP codes in Fairbanks North Star Borough (Fiscal year 2027). Type yours to see it.
For 2 bedrooms they run from $1,510 in 99709 to $2,250 in 99703. 4 ZIP codes are above the county's fair market rent ($1,553).
Where HUD designates these areas, or where the housing agency chooses to use them, the voucher is figured on the ZIP code's rent instead of the county's. Ask your agency which one it uses. 24 CFR §982.503(a)(1)
| 99702 | $1,500 | $1,650 | $2,160 | $2,990 | $3,610 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 99703 | $1,570 | $1,720 | $2,250 | $3,120 | $3,760 |
| 99705 | $1,100 | $1,210 | $1,580 | $2,190 | $2,640 |
| 99707 | $1,080 | $1,180 | $1,550 | $2,150 | $2,590 |
| 99709 | $1,050 | $1,150 | $1,510 | $2,100 | $2,540 |
| 99712 | $1,050 | $1,150 | $1,510 | $2,100 | $2,540 |
| 99714 | $1,100 | $1,290 | $1,580 | $2,210 | $2,650 |
| 99725 | $1,050 | $1,150 | $1,510 | $2,100 | $2,540 |
| 99775 | $1,050 | $1,150 | $1,510 | $2,100 | $2,540 |
- 99702 $2,160$2,990
- 99703 $2,250$3,120
- 99705 $1,580$2,190
- 99707 $1,550$2,150
- 99709 $1,510$2,100
- 99712 $1,510$2,100
- 99714 $1,580$2,210
- 99725 $1,510$2,100
- 99775 $1,510$2,100
Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Fiscal year 2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (external site)
Rent burden
How many households spend too much
HUD counts rent as a burden when it reaches 30% of income or more. In Fairbanks North Star Borough, 46% of renter households are in that position; in Alaska, 45%, and nationwide, 51% (Average 2020–2024, Census).
Paying too much rent leaves little for food, transportation and savings. If that is you, the agencies below can guide you for free.
46%
of renter households spend 30% or more of their income on rent.
13,935 households rent in Fairbanks North Star Borough
- Spend half or more of their income 20%
- Spend 30% or more, but less than half 26%
- Spend less than 30% 54%
Compared with the state and the country
- Fairbanks North Star 46%
- Alaska 45%
- United States 51%
Low-income apartments
Low-income apartments in Fairbanks North Star Borough
HUD lists 20 properties with homes for low-income households in Fairbanks North Star Borough: tax-credit apartments (LIHTC), HUD-assisted buildings and public housing. They run from the most low-income homes to the fewest.
- with tax credits (LIHTC)
- 7
- HUD-assisted
- 14
- public housing
- 1
992 homes in all; 941 of them low-income, according to HUD.
- Lacey Street Apts (northward) Tax credit (LIHTC) 455 3rd Ave, Fairbanks 99701 184 homes, 174 low-income · Studio: 101 · 1 bd: 73 · 2 bd: 10 · In service since 2001
- Fairbanks Public housing 401 7th Ave, Fairbanks 99701 165 low-income homes · Run by Alaska Housing Finance Corporation · Average payment: $839 a month · (907) 330-8432
- Executive Estates HUD-assisted 1620 Washington Dr, Fairbanks 99709 108 low-income homes · For families · (907) 479-3655
- Golden Towers Apartments HUD-assisted 330 3rd Ave, Fairbanks 99701 96 low-income homes · For older adults · (907) 456-1852
- Park West Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) · HUD-assisted 2012 Sandvik St, Fairbanks 99709 84 homes, 82 low-income · 1 bd: 41 · 2 bd: 42 · In service since 1989 · For families · (907) 479-4918
- Weeks Field Estates Phase I Tax credit (LIHTC) 1301 Kellum St, Fairbanks 99701 74 homes, 73 low-income · 1 bd: 6 · 2 bd: 42 · 3 bd: 26 · In service since 2009 · For families
- Weeks Field Estates Phase II Tax credit (LIHTC) 1301 Kellum St, Fairbanks 99701 56 low-income homes · 2 bd: 38 · 3 bd: 18 · In service since 2011
- Little Dipper Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) · HUD-assisted 1910 Turner St, Fairbanks 99701 52 low-income homes · In service since 1997 · For families · (907) 452-6092
- Chenana Apartments HUD-assisted 5190 Amherst Dr Ofc, Fairbanks 99709 52 homes, 51 low-income · For families · (907) 479-4690
- River Point Village Tax credit (LIHTC) 2589 Chief William Dr, Fairbanks 99709 26 homes, 25 low-income · 1 bd: 6 · 2 bd: 12 · 3 bd: 8 · In service since 2005 · For older adults, people with disabilities, families
- Moore Street Senior Apartments HUD-assisted 1420 Moore St, Fairbanks 99701 20 homes, 19 low-income · For older adults · (907) 479-4450
- Andrew J. Flodin Apartments HUD-assisted 2980 Mack Blvd, Fairbanks 99709 8 low-income homes · For people with disabilities · (907) 456-8901
- Harding House HUD-assisted 1508 25th Ave, Fairbanks 99701 6 low-income homes · For people with disabilities · (907) 452-3000
- Jack & Virginia Wright House HUD-assisted 721 E 8th Ave, North Pole 99705 6 homes, 5 low-income · For people with disabilities · (907) 456-8901
- Ivan V. Fosheim House HUD-assisted 4455 Condor Ct, Fairbanks 99709 5 low-income homes · For people with disabilities · (907) 456-8901
- John L. Noyes House Foundation HUD-assisted 3747 Erickson Ave, Fairbanks 99709 4 low-income homes · For people with disabilities · (907) 456-8901
- John L. Turner House HUD-assisted 11 Steelhead Rd, Fairbanks 99709 4 low-income homes · For people with disabilities · (907) 745-2110
- Mary A. Nordale House HUD-assisted 594 Slater Dr, Fairbanks 99701 4 low-income homes · For people with disabilities · (907) 456-8901
- Marybeth Hafele House HUD-assisted 430 Craig Ave, Fairbanks 99701 4 low-income homes · For people with disabilities · (907) 452-1095
- MLH Manor Tax credit (LIHTC) 301 7th Ave, Fairbanks 99701 34 homes · In service since 1996
2 properties have two programs at the same address and appear once. Search HUD's map
Source: HUD, retrieved November 6, 2026. LIHTC database, updated May 14, 2025; Assisted multifamily properties, updated October 23, 2026; Public housing developments, updated October 23, 2026.
Section 8
The Section 8 voucher in Fairbanks North Star Borough
The Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) pays part of your rent on a home you choose. A public housing agency runs it. HUD lists none with an office in Fairbanks North Star Borough; the state's agencies can help you. Here is what the rules say:
The rules, with their source
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You apply at the public housing agency. If you qualify, your name usually goes on a waiting list. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or noncitizens with eligible status as HUD defines it. Source: HUD
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Generally, your family must have very low income: no more than 50% of the area median income, by family size (the middle column of the table). Source: 24 CFR §5.603, §982.201(b)
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Each year, at least 75% of the families an agency admits from its list must have extremely low income (the 30% column). Source: 24 CFR §982.201(b)(2)
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If the rent is below the payment standard, the family generally pays 30% of its adjusted monthly income. If it is above, the family pays more. Source: 24 CFR §982.1(a)(3)
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When you move in, if the rent is above the payment standard, your share cannot go over 40% of your adjusted monthly income. Source: 24 CFR §982.508
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Each agency sets a payment standard for each size. Without asking HUD, it can go from 90% to 110% of the fair market rent. Source: 24 CFR §982.503(b), (c)
| People | Extremely low (30%) | Very low (50%) | Low |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $24,450 | $40,750 | $65,150 |
| 2 people | $27,950 | $46,550 | $74,450 |
| 3 people | $34,150 | $52,350 | $83,750 |
| 4 people | $41,250 | $58,150 | $93,050 |
| 5 people | $48,350 | $62,850 | $100,500 |
| 6 people | $55,450 | $67,500 | $107,950 |
| 7 people | $62,550 | $72,150 | $115,400 |
| 8 people | $69,650 | $76,800 | $122,850 |
Area median income: $116,300. HUD income limits by family size, Fiscal year 2026. Area: Fairbanks-College, AK MSA. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2026
Possible payment standard
- Studio $973 – $1,189
- 1 bedroom $1,068 – $1,306
- 2 bedrooms $1,398 – $1,708
- 3 bedrooms $1,935 – $2,365
- 4 bedrooms $2,336 – $2,856
The range the rule allows: 90% to 110% of the county's fair market rent. Your agency publishes its own.
Housing agencies that serve this place
HUD lists no housing agency with an office in Fairbanks North Star Borough. You can apply at another agency in your state: you do not have to live where you apply. Source: HUD
Your rights as a tenant in Alaska
What Alaska law says about deposits, notices and eviction, with the citation for each rule.
See your rights, rule by ruleCompare these rules with other states →
A summary of state law, not legal advice. Cities may have additional rules.
- When must they return my deposit?
- 14 or 30 days, depending on the case
- Alaska Stat. §34.03.070(g)
- If I fall behind on rent, what notice must I get?
- 7 days
- Alaska Stat. §34.03.220(b)
- How much notice ends a month-to-month rental?
- 30 days
- Alaska Stat. §34.03.290(a)-(b)
- Only a court order can remove youAlaska Stat. §34.03.280
Help
Where to get help with rent in Fairbanks North Star Borough
HUD lists no counseling agencies near in Fairbanks North Star Borough. Free legal aid and your housing agency can guide you.
Tool
How much cash do you need to move in?
It starts with the 2-bedroom fair market rent in Fairbanks North Star Borough. Change the rent, the deposit and the fees to yours: the numbers stay in your browser.
Count power on top of the rent: in Alaska, the average home bill was $144 a month in 2024 (EIA). See electricity and gas costs
Your move
We use the place's fair market rent and the state's deposit rule.
Adjust advanced details
Let's do the math
Cash to move in
$3,106
What you need before you get the keys.
What adds up
- First month
- $1,553
- Security deposit
- $1,553
- Total
- $3,106
When you'll have it
Enter what you can set aside each month to see how long it takes.
What helps
- Ask for a receipt for every payment and keep a copy of the lease.
- On move-in day, walk through the home and take dated photos.
- Never send money for a home you haven't seen or a lease you haven't read.
This is a planning estimate, not a price. What you are asked for depends on the landlord, your lease and your state's and city's rules. It is not legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
What is the fair market rent in Fairbanks North Star Borough?
According to HUD (Fiscal year 2027): Studio: $1,081; 1 bedroom: $1,187; 2 bedrooms: $1,553; 3 bedrooms: $2,150; 4 bedrooms: $2,596. It covers rent plus basic utilities, except the phone.
How much do you need to earn to rent in Fairbanks North Star Borough?
Paying the 2-bedroom fair market rent ($1,553) without spending more than 30% of income takes $29.87 an hour full time, or $62,120 a year.
Who qualifies for Section 8 in Fairbanks North Star Borough?
Generally, families with very low income: no more than 50% of the area median income. For 4 people, HUD's limit here is $58,150 a year (Fiscal year 2026). The family usually pays 30% of its adjusted monthly income. You apply at the housing agency.
How much does Section 8 pay in Fairbanks North Star Borough?
The voucher pays up to your housing agency's payment standard, minus your share. The rule lets the agency set it between 90% and 110% of the fair market rent: for 2 bedrooms here, between $1,398 and $1,708 a month. Your agency publishes its figure.
Does the fair market rent change by ZIP code in Fairbanks North Star Borough?
For 2 bedrooms they run from $1,510 in 99709 to $2,250 in 99703. Where HUD designates these areas, or where the housing agency chooses to use them, the voucher is figured on the ZIP code's rent instead of the county's. Ask your agency which one it uses.
How many low-income apartments are there in Fairbanks North Star Borough?
HUD lists 20 properties with homes for low-income households in Fairbanks North Star Borough: tax-credit apartments (LIHTC), HUD-assisted buildings and public housing. They run from the most low-income homes to the fewest. For tax-credit apartments and HUD-assisted buildings, you apply directly at the building's management office. They tell you whether units are open and how to apply; HUD does not have that information.
How many households spend too much on rent in Fairbanks North Star Borough?
HUD counts rent as a burden when it reaches 30% of income or more. In Fairbanks North Star Borough, 46% of renter households are in that position; in Alaska, 45%, and nationwide, 51% (Average 2020–2024, Census).