Kenai Peninsula Borough, 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).

$1,3902-bedroom FMR, FY2027

$1,0631-bedroom FMR, FY2027

$88,10080% income limit, family of 4 (FY2026)

$110,100Median family income (FY2026)

The FY2027 Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit in Kenai Peninsula Borough is $1,390 a month, up 5.9% from $1,312 in FY2026. Kenai Peninsula Borough belongs to the Kenai Peninsula Borough, 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 Kenai Peninsula Borough by bedroom count

Unit size	FY2027 FMR	FY2026 FMR	Change	Payment standard range (90–110%)
Studio	$1,056	$993	+6.3%	$951 – $1,161
1 bedroom	$1,063	$1,000	+6.3%	$957 – $1,169
2 bedrooms	$1,390	$1,312	+5.9%	$1,251 – $1,529
3 bedrooms	$1,925	$1,825	+5.5%	$1,733 – $2,117
4 bedrooms	$2,323	$2,201	+5.5%	$2,091 – $2,555

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 Kenai Peninsula Borough that is typically $1,251 to $1,529 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?

$50,430median income of renter households

$1,184Median gross rent, all units

28%Rent-to-income ratio (median rent ÷ median renter income)

49%of renter households pay 30% or more of income on rent

At the 30% rule, a renter household earning the local median of $50,430 can afford about $1,261 a month including utilities. The FY2027 two-bedroom Fair Market Rent of $1,390 is $129 (10.3%) more than that. To rent a two-bedroom at the FMR, a household needs $55,600 a year under the 30% rule, or $50,040 under the common landlord rule that income must be three times the rent.

Kenai Peninsula Borough, ACS 2020–2024	Estimate ± MOE
Median gross rent (rent + utilities)	$1,184 ±$52
Median income of renter households	$50,430 ±$8,140
Renters paying 30% or more of income (cost-burdened)	48.9% ±5.2
Renters paying 50% or more (severely cost-burdened)	20.5% ±3.7
Renter households (where the share can be computed)	4,962

Change since 2015–2019

	ACS 2015–2019	ACS 2020–2024	Change
Median gross rent	$987	$1,184	+20.0%
Median renter household income	$42,422	$50,430	+18.9%
Renters paying 30%+ of income	45.1%	48.9%	+3.8 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 Kenai Peninsula Borough (FY2026)

Income limits decide who qualifies for Section 8 vouchers, public housing and most HUD-assisted units. The area median family income is $110,100 (FY2025: $111,600, −1.3%). 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%)	$23,150 −1.3%	$27,050 +0.9%	$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%)	$38,550 −1.4%	$44,050 −1.3%	$49,550 −1.4%	$55,050 −1.3%	$59,500 −1.3%	$63,900 −1.3%	$68,300 −1.3%	$72,700 −1.4%
Low income (80%)	$61,700 −1.4%	$70,500 −1.3%	$79,300 −1.4%	$88,100 −1.3%	$95,150 −1.3%	$102,200 −1.4%	$109,250 −1.4%	$116,300 −1.4%

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.