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Section 8 · Gallatin County

Data from November 2026

How much does Section 8 pay in Gallatin County, Montana?

HUD sets the 2-bedroom fair market rent in Gallatin County at $2,109 a month (Fiscal year 2027). From that figure, your housing agency sets its payment standard, which as a rule runs from $1,898 to $2,320. The voucher pays up to that standard, minus your share: generally 30% of your adjusted monthly income.

Four numbers to start with

Fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$2,109
a month, HUD, Fiscal year 2027
38% more than in Montana
Possible payment standard, 2 BR
$1,898 – $2,320
90% to 110% of the fair market rent
By ZIP code, 2 BR
$1,940 – $2,380
across 8 ZIP codes
Section 8 vouchers
Data not available
No agency based here holds vouchers; agencies elsewhere in the state can serve you.

Source: Fair Market Rents (HUD) Fiscal year 2027 Fair Market Rents (HUD) (external site) Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Fiscal year 2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (external site) Source: Public Housing Agencies (HUD) Retrieved November 6, 2026 Public Housing Agencies (HUD) (external site)

Only here

Section 8 in Gallatin County: what sets it apart

What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.

  1. HUD sets no higher 2-bedroom fair market rent in Montana than the one for Gallatin County ($2,109 a month), among 56 counties.

  2. None of the 56 counties in Montana has a higher very low income limit (50%) than Gallatin County for a family of 4: $65,100 a year. It is the cap the voucher uses to qualify.

  3. The 2-bedroom fair market rent in Gallatin County ($2,109) is higher than in all 6 neighbors; the closest is Broadwater County ($1,755).

  4. Across the 8 ZIP codes in Gallatin County, the 2-bedroom ZIP code fair market rent runs from $1,940 in 59715 to $2,380 in 59718: 23% more.

Sources: HUD (Fiscal year 2027); HUD (Fiscal year 2026); HUD (Fiscal year 2027).

Fair market rent and payment standard

What the voucher can pay, by size

Each year HUD publishes a fair market rent (FMR) for each home size in Gallatin County. Your housing agency uses it to set its payment standard: the most the voucher can pay toward rent and utilities.

  • 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. Source: 24 CFR §888.113
  • 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)
  • Above 110% is an exception payment standard. Up to 120%, the agency only has to notify HUD that it meets certain criteria. Source: 24 CFR §982.503(d)
Fair market rent and possible payment standard HUD fair market rent by size and the basic payment-standard range (90% to 110% of the fair market rent), Fiscal year 2027.
Fair market rent and possible payment standard
Size Fair rent per month Possible payment standard
Studio $1,469 $1,322 – $1,616
1 bedroom $1,612 $1,451 – $1,773
2 bedrooms $2,109 $1,898 – $2,320
3 bedrooms $2,920 $2,628 – $3,212
4 bedrooms $3,487 $3,138 – $3,836

HUD area: Bozeman, MT MSA. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027

By ZIP code

The fair market rent of each ZIP code

HUD also publishes fair market rents by ZIP code (Small Area FMRs) for 8 ZIP codes in Gallatin County (Fiscal year 2027). Where they are used, they are the basis of your home’s payment standard.

For 2 bedrooms they run from $1,940 in 59715 to $2,380 in 59718. With the 90% to 110% rule, the payment standard could run from $1,746 to $2,134 in 59715 and from $2,142 to $2,618 in 59718.

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)

Lowest and highest, by size

  • Studio $1,340 – $1,660
  • 1 bedroom $1,480 – $1,820
  • 2 bedrooms $1,940 – $2,380
  • 3 bedrooms $2,700 – $3,300
  • 4 bedrooms $3,190 – $3,940
Fair market rent by ZIP code and size, in ZIP code order, Fiscal year 2027. HUD area: Bozeman, MT.
ZIP code Studio1 bd2 bd3 bd4 bd
59714$1,430$1,570$2,050$2,840$3,390
59715$1,340$1,480$1,940$2,700$3,190
59718$1,660$1,820$2,380$3,300$3,940
59730$1,570$1,720$2,250$3,120$3,720
59741$1,490$1,640$2,140$2,960$3,540
59752$1,340$1,510$1,940$2,700$3,190
59758$1,340$1,480$1,940$2,700$3,190
59760$1,340$1,480$1,940$2,700$3,190

Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Fiscal year 2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (external site)

How it is figured

What the voucher pays and what you pay

The housing agency pays the owner directly. This is how it is figured, under HUD’s rules:

  1. The payment standard is the most the voucher pays. The agency pays the lower of the payment standard minus your share, or the rent with utilities minus your share. Source: 24 CFR §982.505(a), (b)

  2. Your share (the total tenant payment) is the highest of 30% of your adjusted monthly income, 10% of your monthly income, the part of public assistance set aside for housing, or the minimum rent. Source: 24 CFR §5.628(a)

  3. 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)

  4. 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 §982.305(a)(5), §982.508

An example with HUD’s figures in Gallatin County

A family of 4 earning HUD’s extremely low income limit in Gallatin County has $39,050 a year, about $3,254 a month. 30% of that income is $976. Since adjusted income is the same or lower, the family’s share would generally not be more than that. If the agency sets the payment standard equal to the fair market rent ($2,109) and the 2-bedroom home rents for that, the voucher would pay about $1,133 or more.

Rent, equal to the fair market rent
$2,109
Family share, at most
$976
Voucher payment, at least
$1,133

This is only an example. Your agency figures your adjusted income, the home size you get and its own payment standard. Sources: HUD fair market rent (Fiscal year 2027) and HUD income limits (Fiscal year 2026).

How to apply

Where and how to ask for a voucher in Gallatin County

HUD lists no housing agency based in Gallatin County; agencies elsewhere in the state can serve you. This is how you apply:

  • 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
  • Because demand is high, you may need to sign up on several waiting lists. You do not need to live where you apply. Source: HUD
  • Generally, your family must have very low income: no more than 50% of the area median income. In Gallatin County, for a family of 4 that limit is $65,100 a year (Fiscal year 2026). Source: 24 CFR §5.603, §982.201(b)

How much can you earn? Check your case Section 8 and mixed-status families: how it worksRental help and public charge: what the rules sayHow to avoid rental scams: the signs and what to do

Housing agencies that serve this place

HUD lists no housing agency with an office in Gallatin County. You can apply at another agency in your state: you do not have to live where you apply.

Housing agencies in Montana HUD list of housing agencies Source: HUD, Retrieved November 6, 2026

Frequently asked questions

How much does Section 8 pay for 2 bedrooms in Gallatin County?

It depends on your agency’s payment standard and your income. HUD sets the 2-bedroom fair market rent at $2,109 (Fiscal year 2027), and the basic payment standard can run from $1,898 to $2,320. The voucher pays up to that standard minus your share.

How much do I pay with a voucher?

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. When you move in, if the rent is above the payment standard, your share cannot go over 40% of your adjusted monthly income.

Does the payment standard change by ZIP code in Gallatin County?

For 2 bedrooms they run from $1,940 in 59715 to $2,380 in 59718. With the 90% to 110% rule, the payment standard could run from $1,746 to $2,134 in 59715 and from $2,142 to $2,618 in 59718. 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.

Where do I apply for Section 8 in Gallatin County?

At a public housing agency. HUD lists none based in Gallatin County, but you can apply at another one in Montana: you do not need to live where you apply.

Who qualifies for Section 8 in Gallatin County?

Generally, your family must have very low income: no more than 50% of the area median income. In Gallatin County, for a family of 4 that limit is $65,100 a year (Fiscal year 2026).