Bethel Census Area, AK: Fair Market Rent 2027 and Income Limits

Official HUD figures for landlords and renters, effective October 1, 2026 (rents) and May 1, 2026 (income limits).

$1,9712-bedroom FMR, FY2027

$1,8111-bedroom FMR, FY2027

$90,40080% income limit, family of 4 (FY2026)

$83,000Median family income (FY2026)

The FY2027 Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit in Bethel Census Area is $1,971 a month, up 1.7% from $1,938 in FY2026. Bethel Census Area belongs to the Bethel Census Area, AK FMR area (non-metro county), so the same figures apply across that area. FMRs are gross rents: rent plus all tenant-paid utilities except phone, cable and internet.

Fair market rent in Bethel Census Area by bedroom count

Unit size	FY2027 FMR	FY2026 FMR	Change	Payment standard range (90–110%)
Studio	$1,738	$1,688	+3.0%	$1,565 – $1,911
1 bedroom	$1,811	$1,719	+5.4%	$1,630 – $1,992
2 bedrooms	$1,971	$1,938	+1.7%	$1,774 – $2,168
3 bedrooms	$2,348	$2,324	+1.0%	$2,114 – $2,582
4 bedrooms	$2,590	$2,566	+0.9%	$2,331 – $2,849

Source: HUD Fair Market Rents FY2027 (effective October 1, 2026) and FY2026 (revised file), details.

What can a landlord charge a Section 8 tenant here?

The FMR is not a cap on what you can ask on the open market. For a Housing Choice Voucher tenant, the local housing authority sets a payment standard, normally between 90% and 110% of the FMR (or of the ZIP-level Small Area FMR where those apply). For a two-bedroom unit in Bethel Census Area that is typically $1,774 to $2,168 including utilities. You can charge more than the payment standard if the rent passes the housing authority's rent-reasonableness test and, at move-in, the tenant's share stays within 40% of their adjusted monthly income. Ask the housing authority for its current payment standard schedule.

Can local renters afford the fair market rent?

$73,438median income of renter households

$1,474Median gross rent, all units

24%Rent-to-income ratio (median rent ÷ median renter income)

23%of renter households pay 30% or more of income on rent

At the 30% rule, a renter household earning the local median of $73,438 can afford about $1,836 a month including utilities. The FY2027 two-bedroom Fair Market Rent of $1,971 is $135 (7.4%) more than that. To rent a two-bedroom at the FMR, a household needs $78,840 a year under the 30% rule, or $70,956 under the common landlord rule that income must be three times the rent.

Bethel Census Area, ACS 2020–2024	Estimate ± MOE
Median gross rent (rent + utilities)	$1,474 ±$103
Median income of renter households	$73,438 ±$7,640
Renters paying 30% or more of income (cost-burdened)	22.9% ±6.3
Renters paying 50% or more (severely cost-burdened)	11.5% ±4.8
Renter households (where the share can be computed)	1,469

Change since 2015–2019

	ACS 2015–2019	ACS 2020–2024	Change
Median gross rent	$1,352	$1,474	+9.0%
Median renter household income	$53,125	$73,438	+38.2%
Renters paying 30%+ of income	35.2%	22.9%	−12.3 pts

Rent-to-income calculator: does an applicant qualify? → · Most affordable counties to rent in this state →

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates 2020–2024 and 2015–2019 (tables B25064, B25119, B25070). ± = margin of error at 90% confidence. Dollar figures are not adjusted for inflation.

HUD income limits for Bethel Census Area (FY2026)

Income limits decide who qualifies for Section 8 vouchers, public housing and most HUD-assisted units. The area median family income is $83,000 (FY2025: $79,800, +4.0%). Small figures under each limit show the change from FY2025.

Household size	1 person	2 people	3 people	4 people	5 people	6 people	7 people	8 people
Extremely low income (30%)	$23,750 +2.2%	$27,150 +2.1%	$34,150 +2.5%	$41,250 +2.6%	$48,350 +2.7%	$55,450 +2.8%	$62,550 +2.8%	$69,650 +2.9%
Very low income (50%)	$39,550 +2.1%	$45,200 +2.0%	$50,850 +2.0%	$56,500 +2.1%	$61,050 +2.1%	$65,550 +2.0%	$70,100 +2.1%	$74,600 +2.1%
Low income (80%)	$63,300 +2.1%	$72,350 +2.1%	$81,400 +2.1%	$90,400 +2.1%	$97,650 +2.1%	$104,900 +2.1%	$112,100 +2.0%	$119,350 +2.1%

The 30% limit is HUD's “extremely low income” limit: the higher of 30% of median income or the federal poverty guideline, but never above the 50% limit. That is why it can rise faster than 30% of median for larger households. Tax-credit (LIHTC) properties use separate Multifamily Tax Subsidy Project limits.

Source: HUD Section 8 Income Limits FY2026 (effective May 1, 2026) and FY2025, details.