Renting · Section 8
Data from November 2026
Renting in Yellowstone County, Montana
Yellowstone County has a HUD fair market rent of $1,432 a month for 2 bedrooms (Fiscal year 2027). Renter households here pay a typical rent of $1,131 a month (Average 2020–2024). Paying the fair market rent without going over 30% of income takes $27.54 an hour, full time.
Four numbers to start with
- Fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
- $1,432
- a month, HUD, Fiscal year 2027
- 6% less than in Montana
- Typical rent
- $1,131
- a month, Census, Average 2020–2024
- 5% more than in Montana
- Wage needed
- $27.54
- an hour, 2 bedrooms
- Or $57,280 a year, to spend no more than 30% of income on rent.
- Rent-burdened households
- 47%
- spend 30% or more of income on rent
- 4% more than in Montana
Only here
Renting in Yellowstone County: what sets it apart
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
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Yellowstone County has the highest typical rent in its area: $1,131, more than any of its 4 neighboring counties; next is Stillwater County ($961).
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 Yellowstone County. 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 Yellowstone County was $1,392 a month in September 2026: 3.7% 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 | $1,003 | $19.29 | $40,120 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,132 | $21.77 | $45,280 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,432 | $27.54 | $57,280 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,983 | $38.13 | $79,320 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,261 | $43.48 | $90,440 |
HUD area: Billings, MT HUD Metro FMR Area. 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 19 ZIP codes in Yellowstone County (Fiscal year 2027). Type yours to see it.
For 2 bedrooms they run from $1,280 in 59006 to $2,060 in 59079. 7 ZIP codes are above the county's fair market rent ($1,432).
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)
| 59002 | Billings, MT | $1,040 | $1,180 | $1,490 | $2,060 | $2,350 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 59006 | Billings, MT | $920 | $1,000 | $1,280 | $1,760 | $2,000 |
| 59015 | Billings, MT | $1,020 | $1,120 | $1,380 | $1,900 | $2,230 |
| 59015 | Golden Valley County, MT | $1,020 | $1,120 | $1,380 | $1,900 | $2,230 |
| 59015 | Musselshell County, MT | $1,020 | $1,120 | $1,380 | $1,900 | $2,230 |
| 59015 | Stillwater County, MT | $1,020 | $1,120 | $1,380 | $1,900 | $2,230 |
| 59024 | Big Horn County, MT | $1,010 | $1,140 | $1,440 | $1,990 | $2,270 |
| 59024 | Billings, MT | $1,010 | $1,140 | $1,440 | $1,990 | $2,270 |
| 59037 | Big Horn County, MT | $960 | $1,070 | $1,370 | $1,890 | $2,170 |
| 59037 | Billings, MT | $960 | $1,070 | $1,370 | $1,890 | $2,170 |
| 59044 | Billings, MT | $920 | $1,040 | $1,310 | $1,810 | $2,070 |
| 59044 | Stillwater County, MT | $920 | $1,040 | $1,310 | $1,810 | $2,070 |
| 59079 | Billings, MT | $1,440 | $1,630 | $2,060 | $2,850 | $3,250 |
| 59088 | Billings, MT | $920 | $1,000 | $1,280 | $1,760 | $2,000 |
| 59101 | Big Horn County, MT | $950 | $1,070 | $1,360 | $1,880 | $2,150 |
| 59101 | Billings, MT | $950 | $1,070 | $1,360 | $1,880 | $2,150 |
| 59102 | Billings, MT | $1,030 | $1,160 | $1,470 | $2,040 | $2,320 |
| 59105 | Billings, MT | $1,140 | $1,290 | $1,630 | $2,260 | $2,570 |
| 59106 | Billings, MT | $1,250 | $1,410 | $1,780 | $2,460 | $2,810 |
- 59002 · Billings, MT $1,490$2,060
- 59006 · Billings, MT $1,280$1,760
- 59015 · Billings, MT $1,380$1,900
- 59015 · Golden Valley County, MT $1,380$1,900
- 59015 · Musselshell County, MT $1,380$1,900
- 59015 · Stillwater County, MT $1,380$1,900
- 59024 · Big Horn County, MT $1,440$1,990
- 59024 · Billings, MT $1,440$1,990
- 59037 · Big Horn County, MT $1,370$1,890
- 59037 · Billings, MT $1,370$1,890
- 59044 · Billings, MT $1,310$1,810
- 59044 · Stillwater County, MT $1,310$1,810
- 59079 · Billings, MT $2,060$2,850
- 59088 · Billings, MT $1,280$1,760
- 59101 · Big Horn County, MT $1,360$1,880
- 59101 · Billings, MT $1,360$1,880
- 59102 · Billings, MT $1,470$2,040
- 59105 · Billings, MT $1,630$2,260
- 59106 · Billings, MT $1,780$2,460
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 Yellowstone County, 47% of renter households are in that position; in Montana, 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.
47%
of renter households spend 30% or more of their income on rent.
21,238 households rent in Yellowstone County
- Spend half or more of their income 21%
- Spend 30% or more, but less than half 26%
- Spend less than 30% 53%
Compared with the state and the country
- Yellowstone 47%
- Montana 45%
- United States 51%
Low-income apartments
Low-income apartments in Yellowstone County
HUD lists 32 properties with homes for low-income households in Yellowstone County: 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)
- 21
- HUD-assisted
- 14
- public housing
- 1
1,875 homes in all; 1,812 of them low-income, according to HUD.
- Billings Public housing 3007 9th Ave S, Billings 59101 216 low-income homes · Run by HomeFront · Average payment: $482 a month · Average wait: 65 months · (406) 245-6391
- Ponderosa Acres HUD-assisted 1301 Industrial Ave, Billings 59101 120 low-income homes · For families · (406) 245-3197
- Shiloh Glen Apartments Tax credit (LIHTC) 3900 Olympic Blvd, Billings 59102 120 low-income homes · Studio: 20 · 1 bd: 26 · 2 bd: 56 · 3 bd: 18 · In service since 1994
- Rose Park Plaza Tax credit (LIHTC) · HUD-assisted 2325 Avenue C, Billings 59102 112 low-income homes · 2 bd: 112 · In service since 2006 · For families · (406) 652-1335
- Prairie Tower Apartments HUD-assisted 725 N 25th St, Billings 59101 109 homes, 108 low-income · For older adults · (406) 248-3377
- South Forty Tax credit (LIHTC) · HUD-assisted 769 Fallow Ln, Billings 59102 101 low-income homes · 1 bd: 100 · 2 bd: 1 · In service since 2008 · For older adults · (406) 656-3950
- Pleasant View HUD-assisted 825 Avenue D, Billings 59102 102 homes, 100 low-income · For older adults · (406) 248-4111
- Voa-Billings HUD-assisted 1439 Main St, Billings 59105 85 homes, 84 low-income · For older adults · (406) 248-9117
- Sage Tower Tax credit (LIHTC) · HUD-assisted 115 N 24th St, Billings 59101 81 low-income homes · Studio: 37 · 1 bd: 44 · In service since 2009 · For older adults · (406) 248-1060
- Central Court Village Tax credit (LIHTC) 78 27th St W, Billings 59102 81 homes, 80 low-income · 1 bd: 61 · 2 bd: 20 · In service since 2000 · For older adults
- Big Sky Apts HUD-assisted 707 N 19th St, Billings 59101 80 low-income homes · For families · (406) 245-3989
- Aspen Grove HUD-assisted 262 Wicks Ln, Billings 59105 64 low-income homes · For older adults · (406) 281-8329
- Fraser Tower Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) · HUD-assisted 715 S 28th St, Billings 59101 64 low-income homes · 1 bd: 58 · 2 bd: 6 · In service since 2006 · For older adults · (406) 252-3311
- Edgewood Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 1225 Lake Elmo Dr, Billings 59105 63 low-income homes · 1 bd: 3 · 2 bd: 42 · 3 bd: 18 · In service since 1997 · For families
- Brush Meadow Apartments Tax credit (LIHTC) 1203 Lake Elmo Dr, Billings 59105 60 low-income homes · 2 bd: 30 · 3 bd: 30 · In service since 1994
- Starner Gardens Apartments 9 Tax credit (LIHTC) 311 Starner Ln, Billings 59105 35 low-income homes · 1 bd: 32 · 2 bd: 3 · In service since 2019 · For older adults
- Western View Apts HUD-assisted 2604 Phyllis Ln, Billings 59102 84 homes, 34 low-income · For families · (406) 656-7194
- Whitetail Run Apartments Tax credit (LIHTC) 335 Sioux Ln, Billings 59105 32 low-income homes · 2 bd: 20 · 3 bd: 10 · 4 bd: 2 · In service since 2011 · For families
- Meadowoods Apartments - Laurel Tax credit (LIHTC) 315 E Maryland Ln, Laurel 59044 32 homes, 31 low-income · 1 bd: 16 · 2 bd: 16 · In service since 2004
- Red Fox Apartments Tax credit (LIHTC) 344 Sioux Ln, Billings 59105 30 low-income homes · 1 bd: 15 · 2 bd: 15 · In service since 2018 · For families
- Laurel Gardens HUD-assisted 317 S 8th Ave, Laurel 59044 30 homes, 29 low-income · For older adults · (406) 628-8129
- 8th Ave Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 841 N 17th St, Billings 59101 26 low-income homes · 2 bd: 12 · 3 bd: 10 · 4 bd: 4 · In service since 1996 · For people with disabilities, families
- Grand View Apartments HUD-assisted 1151 28th St W, Billings 59102 25 homes, 24 low-income · For people with disabilities · (406) 652-0272
- Gateway Vista Tax credit (LIHTC) 945 Wyoming Ave, Billings 59101 24 low-income homes · 1 bd: 11 · 2 bd: 13 · In service since 2018 · For families
- Southern Lights Tax credit (LIHTC) 801 S 28th St, Billings 59101 20 low-income homes · 1 bd: 5 · 2 bd: 9 · 3 bd: 4 · 4 bd: 2 · In service since 2007
- Acme Hotel Apartments Tax credit (LIHTC) 107 N Broadway, Billings 59101 19 low-income homes · Studio: 4 · 1 bd: 12 · 2 bd: 3 · In service since 2004
- Acme Hotel HUD-assisted 107 N 28th St, Billings 59101 19 homes, 14 low-income · For families · (406) 208-9773
- Heights Centennial Apartments II Tax credit (LIHTC) 1526 Lake Elmo Dr, Billings 59105 11 low-income homes · 1 bd: 6 · 2 bd: 3 · In service since 1991
- Koinonia Apartments - Isaiah Tax credit (LIHTC) South 34th, 30th,31st ST, Billings 59103 10 low-income homes · 2 bd: 3 · 3 bd: 4 · 4 bd: 3 · In service since 2002
- Agape Housing Tax credit (LIHTC) 807 S 33rd St, Billings 59101 9 low-income homes · 1 bd: 1 · 2 bd: 4 · 3 bd: 3 · 4 bd: 1 · In service since 1998 · For families
- Heights Centennial Apartments Tax credit (LIHTC) 1512 Lake Elmo Dr, Billings 59105 9 low-income homes · 1 bd: 6 · 2 bd: 3 · In service since 1991
- Westchester Duplex Tax credit (LIHTC) 1454 Westchester Sq W, Billings 59105 2 low-income homes · 4 bd: 2 · In service since 1998 · For families
4 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 Yellowstone County
The Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) pays part of your rent on a home you choose. Your public housing agency runs it. 1 agency serves in Yellowstone County. 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 | $22,450 | $37,400 | $59,800 |
| 2 people | $25,650 | $42,700 | $68,400 |
| 3 people | $28,850 | $48,050 | $76,900 |
| 4 people | $33,000 | $53,400 | $85,450 |
| 5 people | $38,680 | $57,650 | $92,300 |
| 6 people | $44,360 | $61,950 | $99,150 |
| 7 people | $50,040 | $66,250 | $105,950 |
| 8 people | $55,720 | $70,500 | $112,800 |
Area median income: $113,000. HUD income limits by family size, Fiscal year 2026. Area: Billings, MT HUD Metro FMR Area. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2026
Possible payment standard
- Studio $903 – $1,103
- 1 bedroom $1,019 – $1,245
- 2 bedrooms $1,289 – $1,575
- 3 bedrooms $1,785 – $2,181
- 4 bedrooms $2,035 – $2,487
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
- HomeFront Public housing and Section 8 vouchers · 808 vouchers · 216 public housing units (406) 245-6391 HomeFront: execs@HomeFrontmt.org
Housing agencies in Montana Source: HUD, Retrieved November 6, 2026
Your rights as a tenant in Montana
What Montana 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.
- If I fall behind on rent, what notice must I get?
- 3 days
- Mont. Code Ann. §70-24-422(2)
- How much notice before a rent increase?
- 15 days
- Mont. Code Ann. §70-26-109
- Only a court order can remove youMont. Code Ann. §70-24-428
- Protection from retaliationMont. Code Ann. §70-24-431(1)
Help
Where to get help with rent in Yellowstone County
This HUD-approved agency has an office in Yellowstone County. They counsel for free or at low cost.
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District 7 Human Resources Development Council
3124 1st Ave N, Billings
- Mortgage delinquency and default
- Budget and financial counseling
- and 6 more
Tool
How much cash do you need to move in?
It starts with the 2-bedroom fair market rent in Yellowstone County. Change the rent, the deposit and the fees to yours: the numbers stay in your browser.
Count power on top of the rent: in Montana, the average home bill was $108 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
$2,864
What you need before you get the keys.
What adds up
- First month
- $1,432
- Security deposit
- $1,432
- Total
- $2,864
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 Yellowstone County?
According to HUD (Fiscal year 2027): Studio: $1,003; 1 bedroom: $1,132; 2 bedrooms: $1,432; 3 bedrooms: $1,983; 4 bedrooms: $2,261. It covers rent plus basic utilities, except the phone.
How much do you need to earn to rent in Yellowstone County?
Paying the 2-bedroom fair market rent ($1,432) without spending more than 30% of income takes $27.54 an hour full time, or $57,280 a year.
Who qualifies for Section 8 in Yellowstone County?
Generally, families with very low income: no more than 50% of the area median income. For 4 people, HUD's limit here is $53,400 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 Yellowstone County?
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 $1,289 and $1,575 a month. Your agency publishes its figure.
Does the fair market rent change by ZIP code in Yellowstone County?
For 2 bedrooms they run from $1,280 in 59006 to $2,060 in 59079. 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 Yellowstone County?
HUD lists 32 properties with homes for low-income households in Yellowstone County: 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 Yellowstone County?
HUD counts rent as a burden when it reaches 30% of income or more. In Yellowstone County, 47% of renter households are in that position; in Montana, 45%, and nationwide, 51% (Average 2020–2024, Census).