HUD Fair Market Rent · FY 2026 · Effective Oct 1, 2025 to Sep 30, 2026
Fair Market Rent in Aroostook County, Maine (FY 2026)
$1,224 a month. That's HUD's FY 2026 Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom in Aroostook County, and it's the baseline every voucher in Aroostook is measured against.
Two-bedroom FMR
$1,224
+24.1% from FY 2025
Payment standard
$1,102–$1,346
90% to 110% of the FMR, two-bedroom
Income to afford
$48,960
a year, with rent at 30% of income
Rank in Maine
16th of 16
by two-bedroom FMR, highest first
HUD has already published FY 2027. On October 1, 2026 the two-bedroom rate in Aroostook moves to $1,175. That's down 4%. The full FY 2027 table is in the history section below.
FY 2026 Fair Market Rents
Payment standard is the 90% to 110% band a housing authority can set. Income needed puts rent at 30% of gross income, and the hourly wage assumes a 40-hour week.
| Bedrooms | FMR | Payment standard | Income needed | Hourly wage | vs FY 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $942 | $848–$1,036 | $37,680 | $18.12/hr | +29.0% |
| 1 bedroom | $949 | $854–$1,044 | $37,960 | $18.25/hr | +20.7% |
| 2 bedroom | $1,224 | $1,102–$1,346 | $48,960 | $23.54/hr | +24.1% |
| 3 bedroom | $1,672 | $1,505–$1,839 | $66,880 | $32.15/hr | +23.8% |
| 4 bedroom | $1,739 | $1,565–$1,913 | $69,560 | $33.44/hr | +23.6% |
Five to eight bedrooms (PropMetrics estimates)
HUD stops at four bedrooms. These add 15% of the four-bedroom rent per extra bedroom. It's our estimate, not a HUD number.
| Bedrooms | Estimated FMR | Payment standard |
|---|---|---|
| 5 bedroom Estimate | $2,000 | $1,800–$2,200 |
| 6 bedroom Estimate | $2,261 | $2,035–$2,487 |
| 7 bedroom Estimate | $2,522 | $2,270–$2,774 |
| 8 bedroom Estimate | $2,782 | $2,504–$3,060 |
Source: HUD Office of Policy Development and Research, FY 2026 Fair Market Rents. Rents include utilities. huduser.gov
Market check
HUD's number is one input. What does a two-bedroom in Aroostook actually rent for?
Search any address in Aroostook for a rent estimate built from nearby comps, with the HUD figure right next to it.
No card needed
What a voucher pays here
The voucher doesn't pay the FMR itself. It pays the payment standard. Housing authorities set it anywhere from 90% to 110% of FMR, which puts a two-bedroom standard in Aroostook somewhere between $1,102 and $1,346. The tenant pays roughly 30% of their income, the voucher covers the rest up to the standard, and the PHA won't approve a rent above what comparable unassisted units get.
$1,224 a month is affordable, by HUD's 30% rule, on an income of roughly $48,960 a year. Put another way, $24 an hour full time.
Worked example for a two-bedroom renting at the payment standard. The tenant pays 30% of monthly income and the voucher covers the rest.
| Monthly household income | Tenant pays (30%) | Voucher pays at 90%$1,102 | Voucher pays at 100%$1,224 | Voucher pays at 110%$1,346 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $2,500 | $750 | $352 | $474 | $596 |
| $4,000 | $1,200 | $0 | $24 | $146 |
Rate history
The two-bedroom rate went up 24% from FY 2025 ($986) to FY 2026 ($1,224). Since FY 2020 it's up 71% in total, about 9.4% a year. The Maine median moved up 20% over the same year.
| Fiscal year | Studio | 1 BR | 2 BR | 3 BR | 4 BR | 2BR change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY 2020 | $520 | $602 | $714 | $989 | $1,076 | — |
| FY 2021 | $492 | $605 | $734 | $992 | $1,140 | +2.8% |
| FY 2022 | $519 | $630 | $781 | $1,046 | $1,230 | +6.4% |
| FY 2023 | $562 | $672 | $841 | $1,117 | $1,266 | +7.7% |
| FY 2024 | $664 | $758 | $948 | $1,292 | $1,374 | +12.7% |
| FY 2025 | $730 | $786 | $986 | $1,351 | $1,407 | +4.0% |
| FY 2026In effect | $942 | $949 | $1,224 | $1,672 | $1,739 | +24.1% |
| FY 2027From Oct 1, 2026 | $892 | $898 | $1,175 | $1,581 | $1,642 | -4.0% |
About this rate
Fair Market Rent is HUD's estimate of what a modest, decent unit rents for in an area, utilities included. It's set once a year and runs October to September. For FY 2026 that's October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026. In Aroostook, that runs from $942 for a studio up to $1,739 for four bedrooms, all five rates in the table above.
Because Aroostook sits outside any HUD metro area, its rate is a county-wide figure built from local rents. One number covers every address in the county, Limestone included.
Among Maine's 16 counties, Aroostook ranks 16th for two-bedroom FMR. That's about 14% below the state median of $1,429 and about 20% above the national median county at $1,018. About 67,227 people live here, 6th in the state.
Rates by ZIP code
Zoom in and the picture changes. HUD's Small Area FMRs put a two-bedroom at $970 in 04746 (Grand Isle) and $1,600 in 04768 (Portage), with the 42 ZIP codes in between. Housing authorities in HUD-designated metros use those ZIP rates instead of the county rate. Everywhere else the ZIP numbers show where rents actually sit, and the county rate stays the official standard.
| ZIP | City | 2BR rate | vs county |
|---|---|---|---|
| 04471 | Orient | $1,160 | -5.2% |
| 04497 | Wytopitlock | $1,230 | +0.5% |
| 04730 | Houlton | $1,190 | -2.8% |
| 04732 | Ashland | $1,440 | +17.6% |
| 04733 | Benedicta | $1,220 | -0.3% |
| 04734 | Blaine | $1,150 | -6.0% |
| 04735 | Bridgewater | $1,090 | -10.9% |
| 04736 | Caribou | $1,140 | -6.9% |
| 04737 | Clayton Lake | $1,220 | -0.3% |
| 04738 | Crouseville | $1,220 | -0.3% |
| 04739 | Eagle Lake | $1,220 | -0.3% |
| 04740 | Easton | $1,110 | -9.3% |
| 04741 | Estcourt Station | $1,224County rate | — |
| 04742 | Fort Fairfield | $1,430 | +16.8% |
| 04743 | Fort Kent | $1,320 | +7.8% |
| 04744 | Fort Kent Mills | $1,220 | -0.3% |
| 04745 | Frenchville | $1,420 | +16.0% |
| 04746 | Grand Isle | $970 | -20.8% |
| 04747 | Island Falls | $1,350 | +10.3% |
| 04750 | Limestone | $1,410 | +15.2% |
| 04751 | Limestone | $1,224County rate | — |
| 04756 | Madawaska | $970 | -20.8% |
| 04757 | Mapleton | $1,500 | +22.5% |
| 04758 | Mars Hill | $1,130 | -7.7% |
| 04760 | Monticello | $1,260 | +2.9% |
| 04761 | New Limerick | $1,280 | +4.6% |
| 04762 | New Sweden | $1,340 | +9.5% |
| 04763 | Oakfield | $970 | -20.8% |
| 04764 | Oxbow | $1,430 | +16.8% |
| 04766 | Perham | $1,130 | -7.7% |
| 04768 | Portage | $1,600 | +30.7% |
| 04769 | Presque Isle | $1,320 | +7.8% |
| 04772 | Saint Agatha | $1,320 | +7.8% |
| 04773 | Saint David | $1,090 | -10.9% |
| 04774 | Saint Francis | $1,440 | +17.6% |
| 04775 | Sheridan | $1,220 | -0.3% |
| 04776 | Sherman | $1,220 | -0.3% |
| 04779 | Sinclair | $1,280 | +4.6% |
| 04780 | Smyrna Mills | $1,580 | +29.1% |
| 04781 | Wallagrass | $1,320 | +7.8% |
Rates by town
Maine publishes Fair Market Rents town by town instead of by county. All 71 towns in Aroostook County share the same rate for FY 2026, so the county number is the town number wherever you are.
| Town | Population | Studio | 1 BR | 2 BR | 3 BR | 4 BR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Presque Isle city | 8,736 | $942 | $949 | $1,224 | $1,672 | $1,739 |
| Caribou city | 7,427 | $942 | $949 | $1,224 | $1,672 | $1,739 |
| Houlton town | 6,051 | $942 | $949 | $1,224 | $1,672 | $1,739 |
| Fort Kent town | 4,140 | $942 | $949 | $1,224 | $1,672 | $1,739 |
| Madawaska town | 3,855 | $942 | $949 | $1,224 | $1,672 | $1,739 |
| Fort Fairfield town | 3,321 | $942 | $949 | $1,224 | $1,672 | $1,739 |
| Mapleton town | 1,921 | $942 | $949 | $1,224 | $1,672 | $1,739 |
| Van Buren town | 1,836 | $942 | $949 | $1,224 | $1,672 | $1,739 |
| Limestone town | 1,556 | $942 | $949 | $1,224 | $1,672 | $1,739 |
| Mars Hill town | 1,515 | $942 | $949 | $1,224 | $1,672 | $1,739 |
| Hodgdon town | 1,447 | $942 | $949 | $1,224 | $1,672 | $1,739 |
| Easton town | 1,430 | $942 | $949 | $1,224 | $1,672 | $1,739 |
| Washburn town | 1,429 | $942 | $949 | $1,224 | $1,672 | $1,739 |
| Woodland town | 1,251 | $942 | $949 | $1,224 | $1,672 | $1,739 |
| Ashland town | 1,197 | $942 | $949 | $1,224 | $1,672 | $1,739 |
| Linneus town | 1,157 | $942 | $949 | $1,224 | $1,672 | $1,739 |
| St. Agatha town | 942 | $942 | $949 | $1,224 | $1,672 | $1,739 |
| Frenchville town | 876 | $942 | $949 | $1,224 | $1,672 | $1,739 |
| Littleton town | 865 | $942 | $949 | $1,224 | $1,672 | $1,739 |
| Sherman town | 865 | $942 | $949 | $1,224 | $1,672 | $1,739 |
| Island Falls town | 840 | $942 | $949 | $1,224 | $1,672 | $1,739 |
| South Aroostook UT | 766 | $942 | $949 | $1,224 | $1,672 | $1,739 |
| Blaine town | 737 | $942 | $949 | $1,224 | $1,672 | $1,739 |
| Monticello town | 681 | $942 | $949 | $1,224 | $1,672 | $1,739 |
| Oakfield town | 653 | $942 | $949 | $1,224 | $1,672 | $1,739 |
| Wallagrass town | 557 | $942 | $949 | $1,224 | $1,672 | $1,739 |
| Square Lake UT | 543 | $942 | $949 | $1,224 | $1,672 | $1,739 |
| Eagle Lake town | 533 | $942 | $949 | $1,224 | $1,672 | $1,739 |
| New Sweden town | 517 | $942 | $949 | $1,224 | $1,672 | $1,739 |
| Bridgewater town | 485 | $942 | $949 | $1,224 | $1,672 | $1,739 |
| Ludlow town | 467 | $942 | $949 | $1,224 | $1,672 | $1,739 |
| Westfield town | 463 | $942 | $949 | $1,224 | $1,672 | $1,739 |
| New Canada town | 431 | $942 | $949 | $1,224 | $1,672 | $1,739 |
| New Limerick town | 430 | $942 | $949 | $1,224 | $1,672 | $1,739 |
| Connor UT | 423 | $942 | $949 | $1,224 | $1,672 | $1,739 |
| Grand Isle town | 416 | $942 | $949 | $1,224 | $1,672 | $1,739 |
| Smyrna town | 409 | $942 | $949 | $1,224 | $1,672 | $1,739 |
| Merrill town | 407 | $942 | $949 | $1,224 | $1,672 | $1,739 |
| St. Francis town | 389 | $942 | $949 | $1,224 | $1,672 | $1,739 |
| Portage Lake town | 372 | $942 | $949 | $1,224 | $1,672 | $1,739 |
| Amity town | 342 | $942 | $949 | $1,224 | $1,672 | $1,739 |
| Chapman town | 317 | $942 | $949 | $1,224 | $1,672 | $1,739 |
| Perham town | 295 | $942 | $949 | $1,224 | $1,672 | $1,739 |
| Weston town | 289 | $942 | $949 | $1,224 | $1,672 | $1,739 |
| Caswell town | 278 | $942 | $949 | $1,224 | $1,672 | $1,739 |
| Crystal town | 275 | $942 | $949 | $1,224 | $1,672 | $1,739 |
| Winterville plantation | 269 | $942 | $949 | $1,224 | $1,672 | $1,739 |
| Masardis town | 259 | $942 | $949 | $1,224 | $1,672 | $1,739 |
| Wade town | 257 | $942 | $949 | $1,224 | $1,672 | $1,739 |
| Castle Hill town | 250 | $942 | $949 | $1,224 | $1,672 | $1,739 |
| Stockholm town | 222 | $942 | $949 | $1,224 | $1,672 | $1,739 |
| Allagash town | 213 | $942 | $949 | $1,224 | $1,672 | $1,739 |
| Central Aroostook UT | 197 | $942 | $949 | $1,224 | $1,672 | $1,739 |
| St. John plantation | 193 | $942 | $949 | $1,224 | $1,672 | $1,739 |
| Dyer Brook town | 181 | $942 | $949 | $1,224 | $1,672 | $1,739 |
| Haynesville town | 136 | $942 | $949 | $1,224 | $1,672 | $1,739 |
| Orient town | 122 | $942 | $949 | $1,224 | $1,672 | $1,739 |
| Hamlin town | 120 | $942 | $949 | $1,224 | $1,672 | $1,739 |
| Reed plantation | 111 | $942 | $949 | $1,224 | $1,672 | $1,739 |
| Westmanland town | 107 | $942 | $949 | $1,224 | $1,672 | $1,739 |
| Garfield plantation | 76 | $942 | $949 | $1,224 | $1,672 | $1,739 |
| Bancroft UT | 75 | $942 | $949 | $1,224 | $1,672 | $1,739 |
| Hammond town | 75 | $942 | $949 | $1,224 | $1,672 | $1,739 |
| Hersey town | 68 | $942 | $949 | $1,224 | $1,672 | $1,739 |
| Macwahoc plantation | 64 | $942 | $949 | $1,224 | $1,672 | $1,739 |
| Cyr plantation | 62 | $942 | $949 | $1,224 | $1,672 | $1,739 |
| Moro plantation | 20 | $942 | $949 | $1,224 | $1,672 | $1,739 |
| Nashville plantation | 7 | $942 | $949 | $1,224 | $1,672 | $1,739 |
| Northwest Aroostook UT | 6 | $942 | $949 | $1,224 | $1,672 | $1,739 |
| Glenwood plantation | 5 | $942 | $949 | $1,224 | $1,672 | $1,739 |
| Penobscot Indian Island Reservation | 0 | $942 | $949 | $1,224 | $1,672 | $1,739 |
Nearby counties
Two-bedroom FMR, with how each compares to Aroostook.
Piscataquis County
111 mi · 17,125 people
$1,419
+16%
Penobscot County
114 mi · 153,571 people
$1,559
+27%
Washington County
126 mi · 31,261 people
$1,252
+2%
Somerset County
141 mi · 50,852 people
$1,266
+3%
Waldo County
159 mi · 40,006 people
$1,438
+17%
Hancock County
160 mi · 56,084 people
$1,501
+23%
Franklin County
166 mi · 30,145 people
$1,322
+8%
Kennebec County
176 mi · 125,614 people
$1,416
+16%
Questions people ask
$1,224 a month for FY 2026, which runs October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026. The other rates are $942 for a studio, $949 for one bedroom, $1,672 for three and $1,739 for four.
Tools for this county
Fair Market Rent lookup
Any ZIP code's Small Area FMR by bedroom count
Section 8 rent calculator
Payment standard and tenant share for a specific rent
What is Fair Market Rent?
How HUD calculates FMR and what it means for landlords
Rent affordability calculator
The income a household needs for a given rent
What does a rental in Aroostook actually go for?
HUD's number is one input. Search any address in Aroostook for a rent estimate built from nearby comps. 3 free searches, no card.
Free tier. No credit card.